BS People: Chitra Pandeya

Classical music fanatic says yes to YES Bank

Chitra Pandeya, who joined YES Bank as senior president for savings liabilities management, cards and direct banking earlier this month, belongs to a family that set up Mettur Chemicals & Industrial Corporation.

“My grandfather R Seshasayee had set up the company. But the ownership changed and there was no continuity. I moved to Mumbai with my family at a very early age,” Pandeya said. She got her management degree in marketing in 1986 and joined Eureka Forbes. After a four-year stint with the water purifier marketer she moved to RK Swamy BBDO, a marketing and communications company.

Pandeya entered the banking sector when she joined ANZ Grindlays in the mid-90’s. Initially she was with the marketing department but then shifted to the product management division of the bank. She led ANZ Grindlays’ retail liabilities business in India before moving to Times Bank as the branch banking head for the western region.

After HDFC Bank acquired Times Bank in 2000, she took up a senior role in the product management team of the country’s second largest private lender. She took a sabbatical in 2009 to look after her daughter but continued her association with HDFC Bank as a consultant.

“I entered banking through the marketing route. But I have experience in product management that will help me in my current role with YES Bank,” Pandeya said.

At YES Bank, she is responsible for customising product solutions, strengthening the existing product portfolio through cross-selling various products, and institutionalising the sales effectiveness. Pandeya will also lead the bank’s debit and prepaid cards operations and direct banking propositions.

An enthusiast of Hindustani Classical music, she and her friends have formed a group, “Leheren”, which participates in various charitable functions.

“We meet on the first Sunday of every month to practice. Music is a hardcore passion. But I prefer to listen more than sing. We perform at charities because of the fun of it and to support various causes,” Pandeya said.