AU Small Finance Bank strengthens board with key appointments, appoints new directors and re-appoint seasoned leader strengthens board with key appointments, appoints new directors and re-appoint
seasoned leader
Mumbai / Chennai, 26
November2025: AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB), India’s largest small finance bank and
the first to receive in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of
India to transition into a universal bank, has appointed Mr.
Narasinganallore Venkatesh Srinivasan (“Mr. N S Venkatesh”) and
Mr. Satyajit Dwivedi as Non-Executive Independent Directors for a
term of three years, and re-appointed Ms. Malini Thadani as
Non-Executive Independent Director for a second term for a term of three years,
subject to approval of shareholders.
Mr. N S Venkatesh: A distinguished
Chartered Accountant with a strong academic foundation in Science, Mr.
Venkatesh brings a wealth of experience spanning over 4 decades in banking and
financial services. His illustrious career is marked by leadership roles at
prominent institutions such as IDBI, AMFI, and Lakshmi Vilas Bank, where he has
excelled in Treasury, International Banking, and strategic growth initiatives.
As a respected industry voice, he has chaired FIMMDA and served on key
committees of RBI and SEBI, driving policy reforms and governance standards.
Mr. Satyajit Dwivedi: A highly
accomplished development finance professional, Mr. Dwivedi boasts an impressive
35+ year career in agriculture, rural economy, microfinance, and banking. His
expertise has been leveraged by leading institutions such as NABARD, Nabkisan
Finance Ltd, and National Centre for Financial Education, where he has
spearheaded initiatives in financial inclusion and sustainable growth. A
Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers (CAIIB) and Diploma
holder in Microfinance, Mr. Dwivedi's thought leadership has earned him
recognition as one of the "100 Most Influential Leaders in Banking and
Financial Services Institutions" by The Economic Times in 2017.
Ms. Malini Thadani: A seasoned
leader with a strong track record in Sustainability, CSR, and Public Affairs,
Ms. Thadani brings a unique blend of experience and expertise to the table. Her
distinguished career spans over 4 decades, with notable stints in the Indian
Revenue Service and HSBC. At HSBC, she has driven strategic initiatives
in sustainable finance, ESG, and stakeholder engagement. As a respected voice
in the industry, she advises organizations on integrating sustainability into
their core business strategy and serves as Executive Director, World Monuments
Fund India Association, championing heritage conservation and sustainable
development.
Sanjay Agarwal,
Founder, MD & CEO, AU Small Finance Bank, said, "We are happy to
welcome Mr. N S Venkatesh and Mr. Satyajit Dwivedi to our Board and to
re-appoint Ms. Malini Thadani for a second term. These leaders bring exceptional
experience and diverse perspectives that will strengthen our governance as we
prepare for our next chapter as a universal bank.
Mr. Venkatesh, a
Chartered Accountant and former CFO & Executive Director at IDBI, has also
served as CEO of AMFI, bringing unmatched expertise in risk management and
treasury. Mr. Dwivedi, recognized among the ‘100 Most Influential Leaders in
Banking and Financial Services’ by The Economic Times, has led institutions
like Nabkisan Finance and NCFE, with deep knowledge of rural economy and
financial inclusion. Ms. Thadani continues to guide us with her rich experience
in sustainability and ESG, having led strategic initiatives at HSBC.
A strong and varied
Board is the foundation of sound governance. With these appointments, we are
better equipped to navigate complexity, embrace innovation, and deliver
inclusive and sustainable growth for all our stakeholders."
