Power Profiles | August 2015
Power 20:20 Personality Profile | Arundhati Bhattacharya
Arundhati Bhattacharya was appointed as the Chairperson and Managing Director of the State Bank of India in August 2013. Now 59, she is the youngest of SBIG´s MDs and is also the first female Chair at the government-owned entity.
In her tenure, recognizing the multiple roles of working women, Bhattacharya pioneered a two-year sabbatical policy for female employees taking maternity leave or give extended care to family.
The 208-year-old bank recently also launched digital branches as part of an effort to offer next generation banking services to India's growing mobile phone and tech-savvy customer base. To reach more rural customers, the bank has installed some 800 solar power ATMS in remote areas under Bhattacharya.
Bhattacharya joined SBI in 1977 as a probationary officer and has served in various positions, including as head of SBI Capital Markets Limited. Prior to this, she had served as Deputy MD and corporate development officer at SBI. She has undertaken various assignments spanning credit, foreign exchange, treasury and retail operations.