Salila Pande Appointed as MD and CEO of SBI Card

SBI Card has appointed Salila Pande as its MD and CEO, effective April 1. Pande has worked at State Bank of India for nearly three decades and held key leadership positions in India and abroad. She aims to enhance customer experience, fuel growth, and strengthen SBI Card's position under her leadership. Pande has a background in physics and holds various financial accreditations. She previously led the Risk Management function in Singapore and was the President and CEO of SBI California.

State Bank of India (SBI) has appointed Salila Pande as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SBI Card, effective April 1, 2025. Pande brings with her nearly three decades of experience at SBI, holding key leadership positions both in India and abroad. Her appointment comes after Abhijit Chakravorty’s retirement.

Pande’s extensive background includes serving as the chief general manager, Mumbai Metro Circle, where she spearheaded the retail business of the bank’s key financial market. Prior to this, she held significant international roles, including leading the Risk Management function in Singapore and serving as the President and CEO of SBI California. Her global experience spans international banking, retail banking, risk management, and trade finance.

Pande holds a Master of Science in Physics, is a Certified Financial Risk Manager (FRM) by GARP, USA, and is a Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers. These qualifications underscore her technical expertise and commitment to financial services.

Challa Sreenivasulu Setty, Chairman of State Bank of India, expressed his confidence in Pande’s leadership. “I am happy to welcome Ms. Salila Pande as the MD & CEO of SBI Card and I am sure that under her leadership, SBI Card will continue to innovate, expand and create value for all stakeholders,” he said.

Pande’s vision for SBI Card is to enhance customer experience, drive growth, and strengthen the company’s position in the Indian credit card market. She looks forward to leveraging SBI Card’s rich legacy of innovation and customer-centric solutions to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the evolving financial landscape.

This appointment signals SBI’s commitment to fostering innovation and growth within its financial services arm, SBI Card. With Pande’s extensive experience and strategic vision, investors and financial professionals can expect SBI Card to maintain its position as a leading pure-play credit card issuer.