Mangaluru: Karnataka Bank has announced the appointment of veteran banker Mr Raghavendra S Bhat as its new Managing Director and CEO, effective from 16 July 2025. The appointment will be for an initial period of three months, subject to approval by shareholders at the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) or within the regulatory timeline outlined by SEBI, whichever is earlier.
Mr Bhat, a seasoned banking professional with close to four decades of service, had previously served in key roles including Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Karnataka Bank Ltd. His return marks a strategic move aimed at steering the bank through its next phase of growth and transformation.
Chairman Mr P Pradeep Kumar welcomed the appointment, saying, “We are happy to welcome back Mr Raghavendra S Bhat to Karnataka Bank. His wealth of experience and expertise will be invaluable in driving our continued growth and success. We look forward to working with him in delivering value to our customers and shareholders.”
Expressing his commitment to the bank’s legacy, Mr Bhat stated, “I am proud to join Karnataka Bank as Managing Director & CEO. With over a century of trust and goodwill built by the Bank, I look forward to working with all the stakeholders to further build and grow on that strong foundation.”
The bank expressed confidence that under Mr Bhat’s leadership, Karnataka Bank would continue to uphold its customer-centric values while pursuing innovation and sustainable growth in the competitive banking landscape.