A NEW DAWN

After the merger of parent HDFC Ltd, HDFC Bank is on the brink of a transformative journey, seizing opportunities while addressing the unique challenges ahead

- ANAND ADHIKARI

IN THE HIGHLY integrated banking world, every twist and turn in the domestic as well as global economy poses a new challenge for those at the helm. Sashidhar Jagdishan, or Sashi as he’s called by his peers, has faced his fair share of these in the three and a half years since he became the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of HDFC Bank.

For instance, it’s been barely a year since the mega-merger of parent company HDFC Ltd with the bank, and Jagdishan already finds himself confronting yet another formidable challenge. This time, it emanates from outside. The adversaries are global short-sellers.

Despite the onslaught of short-sellers—its share prices dipped 17.5% between January 1 and February 29 this year—the 59-year-old Jagdishan remains undaunted. The bank stands firm thanks to its solid management team and consistent track record of growth in assets, loans and advances, and profits. The sustained performance and Jagdishan’s leadership caught the attention of BT-KPMG’s Best Banks & NBFCs jury, which picked the bank as the joint winner in the Bank of the Year category. And, it has again emerged as the winner in the Best Large Indian Bank category in the quantitative study.

Despite lagging in certain parameters such as growth in loans and advances, growth in operating profits, NPA (non-performing assets) coverage, and secured advances to total assets in the BT-KPMG survey, the country’s second-largest bank boasts the best asset quality and profit per employee metrics. Besides, after the merger of mortgage lender HDFC Ltd—effective from the current financial year—the bank has undergone significant transformation. Of course, the merger has brought with it some challenges.