Archive · 30 Sep 2026
Mahesh Muralidhar Pai to lead South Indian Bank from October
Mahesh Muralidhar Pai will become the new head of South Indian Bank.
He will start as managing director and chief executive officer on October 1.
His appointment will last for three years.
The Reserve Bank of India and the bank’s board have approved it.
The bank’s shareholders also agreed to the appointment.
Pai has worked in banking for nearly 30 years.
He previously held a senior role at Canara Bank.
He said he wants to grow the bank carefully and improve its services and technology.
Mahesh Muralidhar Pai will become South Indian Bank’s MD and CEO on October 1.
The Reserve Bank of India and the bank’s board approved his three-year appointment in July.
Shareholders approved Pai’s appointment at the lender’s annual general meeting last month.
Pai brings nearly three decades of experience in banking, including digital banking, treasury and credit.
South Indian Bank said Pai will focus on disciplined growth, customer relationships and digital transformation.
- Who
- Mahesh Muralidhar Pai, South Indian Bank and its shareholders.
- What
- Pai will take charge as South Indian Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for three years.
- When
- October 1; the appointment was approved in July and by shareholders at last month’s annual general meeting.
- Where
- South Indian Bank; Pai previously worked at Canara Bank and led initiatives including its Kerala-based gold loan vertical.
- Why
- The bank said his leadership will support execution, customer relationships, digital transformation and disciplined business growth.
- New MD and CEO
- Mahesh Muralidhar Pai
- Start date
- October 1
- Appointment term
- Three years
- Regulatory approval
- Approved by the Reserve Bank of India in July
- Shareholder approval
- Approved at the annual general meeting last month
- Prior experience
- Nearly three decades across strategy, governance, digital banking, treasury, foreign exchange, retail banking, agriculture and MSME credit
- Share price
- South Indian Bank shares closed flat at ₹48.17 on the National Stock Exchange of India