Legacy created over last six years will be carried forward by successor: Yes Bank CEO

What are your plans after concluding your tenure as Yes Bank’s CEO in April?

Change remains inevitable. I prioritize living in the present rather than scripting future endeavors. Having spent 42 years across SBI and Yes Bank, I now look forward to retirement with contentment.

What guidance would you offer your successor?

I am confident that a seasoned professional with SBI expertise will uphold the legacy we built over six transformative years. Strategic autonomy is vital—every leader should chart their own course. Banks prioritizing measured growth over aggressive risks tend to thrive, as evidenced by our consistent quarterly progress. Institutions that once outperformed us now lag significantly. Handling public funds demands prudence, transparency, and honesty—principles ingrained in Vinay’s SBI tenure.

How has Yes Bank evolved since the 2020 reconstruction scheme when depositors faced uncertainty?

At the time of my appointment, the bank reported a staggering ₹18,000 crore quarterly loss—an industry record. Fast-forward to December 2025: we neared a pivotal 1% RoA with ₹1,000 crore in profit. Deposits surged from ₹1 lakh crore to ₹3 lakh crore, gross NPAs plummeted from 18% to 1.5%, and capital adequacy rebounded from

Retail profitability remains challenging. How have you addressed this?

Retail initially contributed minimally post-reconstruction, necessitating heavy investments in branches, talent, and technology. While early-cycle headwinds impacted unsecured loans industry-wide, our operating metrics confirm underlying health. Retail now breaks even—naysayers overlook critical context. Profitability follows scale-building, and excluding credit costs, retail operations remained viable. Criticism without perspective misreads tangible progress.