Shekhar Bhandari

President & Business Head of SME Banking

Kotak Mahindra Bank

Shekhar Bhandari is President & Business Head of SME Banking at Kotak Mahindra Bank, spearheading the bank's strategic focus on fostering growth and innovation within the SME sector. Shekhar’s focus is to build comprehensive banking solutions for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), including open banking and beyond banking services. He is also at the helm of implementing technology-enabled transaction banking solutions tailored to cater to the unique financial needs of the expansive SME market in India. Commencing his journey with Kotak Mahindra Group in 1996, Shekhar's illustrious career spanning over 25 years showcases a trajectory of escalating responsibilities across various facets of the banking domain –Transaction Banking, Corporate Banking, Treasury, Insurance, Mutual Fund, Securities, Corporate Finance, Strategy and Compliance. His knack for pioneering new revenue channels and propelling growth has left an indelible mark on Six Businesses he has steered.

A recent testament to Shekhar's innovative approach is the inception of Kotak fyn - an enterprise portal designed to provide a comprehensive digital banking experience alongside a plethora of value-added services across different banking products. Shekhar is passionate about technology and endeavours to make Banking "Simple and Fast" across all verticals. His fascination with technology is a cornerstone of his leadership ethos. He is always seeking to harness cutting-edge tech to enhance banking functions. Under his stewardship, Kotak Mahindra Bank has strengthened capabilities in Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Digital Signatures, Open Banking, machine learning, and data analytics, setting a benchmark for digital transformation in the Business banking arena.

Honoured as the CA Business Leader by ICAI in 2021 and the "Transaction Banker of the Year in Asia Pacific" by The Asian Banker in 2019, Shekhar's accolades mirror his expertise and forward-thinking approach in the financial sector. Under his leadership, the Bank won Transaction Bank of Year, Cash Management Bank of the Year, Trade Finance Bank of the Year, and innovation awards.

Shekhar is a Chartered Accountant by education. He ranked 25th across India in the year of his graduation. He is an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, an Associate Member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India, and a Graduate Member of the Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India. He is a regular speaker at various industry forums globally.

Connect with Shekhar on LinkedIn.

Get in touch
We are here to help your business reach its goals