3 days ago
HDFC Bank CEO Jagdishan Opts Out of Reappointment
Sashidhar Jagdishan will leave his job as HDFC Bank’s chief executive on October 26.
He decided not to ask for another term, even after the bank’s board asked him to reconsider.
The bank will now look for a new chief executive.
Jagdishan led the bank during its large merger with HDFC.
The merger made the bank much bigger but also created concerns about its performance.
During his leadership, regulators temporarily stopped some credit-card and digital activities because of technology problems.
The bank also faced questions about deposits, governance and the sale of investment products.
The articles do not give a specific reason for Jagdishan’s decision to leave.
Sashidhar Jagdishan will retire as HDFC Bank’s managing director and CEO on October 26 after nearly three decades at the bank.
Jagdishan declined to seek reappointment despite the board’s efforts to persuade him to reconsider.
HDFC Bank said it would fast-track the selection and appointment of his successor.
His six-year leadership included the merger with Housing Development Finance Corporation, one of India’s largest corporate transactions.
His tenure also involved technology restrictions, governance controversies, regulatory action and scrutiny over alleged investment mis-selling.
- Who
- Sashidhar Jagdishan, HDFC Bank’s managing director and chief executive.
- What
- Jagdishan opted out of consideration for reappointment after his current term ends.
- Where
- HDFC Bank disclosed the decision in a regulatory or exchange filing.
- When
- The announcement was made on Saturday, and Jagdishan’s term ends on October 26.
- Why
- The articles say Jagdishan chose not to seek reappointment despite persuasion from the board, but give no further reason.
Leadership Achievements
Governance and Regulatory Concerns
Jagdishan’s record
Leadership Achievements
HDFC Bank’s board praised Jagdishan’s commitment, leadership and contribution to the bank’s growth and stability, particularly his role in completing the merger with HDFC.
Governance and Regulatory Concerns
His tenure was accompanied by scrutiny over technology outages, governance practices, deposit arrangements and alleged mis-selling of investment products.
Technology restrictions
Leadership Achievements
The bank’s management said the RBI’s technology-related restrictions were lifted after 15 months; the restrictions were also described as being lifted in phases.
Governance and Regulatory Concerns
The RBI imposed the restrictions in December 2020 after repeated technology system outages, barring the bank from adding new credit-card customers and launching new digital initiatives.
Conduct in disputed transactions
Leadership Achievements
The bank’s internal review characterized issues involving MSRDC deposits and marketing payments as business overreach, not mala fide action, personal enrichment or improper motive.
Governance and Regulatory Concerns
The review found shortcomings, and the bank imposed fines or penalties and warnings on Jagdishan and other senior executives. The bank also faced allegations concerning the sale of Credit Suisse AT1 bonds and Carlisle-linked investments.
Key facts
- Executive
- Sashidhar Jagdishan
- Current roles
- Managing director and chief executive of HDFC Bank
- Departure date
- October 26
- Time at bank
- Nearly three decades; one article says 27 years
- CEO tenure
- He became CEO on October 27, 2020, succeeding Aditya Puri
- Successor process
- HDFC Bank’s board will fast-track the selection and appointment process
- Technology restrictions
- The RBI barred new credit-card customers and new digital initiatives in December 2020 after repeated outages; the restrictions were later lifted, reportedly completely after 15 months
- Stock performance
- The shares reached a two-and-a-half-year low, while the bank’s market value fell by $2.6 billion in one trading session
Quotes
HDFC Bank board
The board of HDFC Bank, as quoted in the regulatory filing
“At its meeting held today, the Board of Directors took note of Mr Sashidhar Jagdishan’s communication to not seek reappointment. Despite persuasion, Mr Jagdishan reiterated his decision to not seek reappointment.”
financialexpress.com
“The board deeply appreciated his commitment, leadership, contribution to the growth and stability of the Bank and his role in successful completion of one of the largest mergers in corporate India”
m.rediff.com








