Bandhan Bank has appointed Biju E. Punnachalil as its Chief Risk Officer for a three-year term, effective July 14, 2025, replacing interim incumbent Sundeep Bhan. Punnachalil brings over three decades of banking expertise, particularly in risk management, treasury, retail, and branch operations.

Prior to this role, he served nearly 29 years at South Indian Bank, including more than eight years as CRO, where he was instrumental in designing and implementing an enterprise-wide risk management framework. His domain knowledge spans credit, market, and operational risk, alongside substantial experience in asset-liability management and regulatory compliance.

A graduate of Mahatma Gandhi University in Kerala with a BSc and MSc in Physics, Punnachalil began his career at Federal Bank in 1993 before joining South Indian Bank in 1996. At Bandhan Bank, he will lead the expansion and refinement of risk systems to align with evolving regulatory landscapes and strategic growth objectives.

As head of risk, Punnachalil will assume responsibility for shaping risk policy, monitoring exposures, executing mitigation strategies, and ensuring robust governance—a critical mandate as Bandhan scales its operations across microfinance, small business lending, and general banking.

His appointment reflects the bank’s proactive stance on risk leadership at a time when financial institutions face rising pressures—from stricter regulations to dynamic market conditions. By bringing on a seasoned professional with deep institutional and technical experience, Bandhan signals its commitment to embedding a strong risk culture across its expanding business lines.

Punnachalil joins Bandhan’s leadership team amid a broader push to elevate risk oversight and accountability. His presence is expected to enhance the bank’s capacity to navigate credit cycles, manage portfolio quality, and strengthen enterprise resilience as it deepens its presence in both urban and underserved markets.