Anup Bagchi backs 'exceptional' team as he connects the dots at HDFC Bank

Anup Bagchi, MD and CEO of HDFC Bank.

In his first public remarks since his appointment, Bagchi said much of the difficult work associated with HDFC Bank's merger with its erstwhile parent HDFC is behind it.

"Post-merger, of course, the balance sheet changes and the transformation changes. It is still underway. But I would believe that a lot of it is behind us. We still have some work to do," he said during the bank's September quarter earnings interaction on Saturday.

Following the merger, HDFC Bank has been working to rebalance its loan and deposit portfolios, improve profitability and regain momentum in retail lending.

Bagchi, who worked with ICICI Bank for more than three decades, joined the board of HDFC Bank as an additional director early this month. He said his immediate priority would be to understand the institution from within rather than rush into strategic changes.

"I am going to engage with all the regulators, customers (and) stakeholders. I will gather insights and that will become a key input," he said. "At this point of time, I am just understanding the mechanics of the balance sheet and P&L, which from outside you can only understand that much."

Bagchi sought to reassure investors about the strength of the management team and the bank's institutional processes, signalling continuity in an organisation that has traditionally relied on leaders groomed internally. "It is a very process-driven institution and not dependent on just one or two or three individuals," he said.

Ashvin Parekh, founder of Ashvin Parekh Advisory Services, said his ability to mobilise teams and execute strategy could prove particularly valuable at HDFC Bank.

"What stands out about Anup is not just his ability to get things done, but also his ability to mobilise and motivate people to deliver results. His biggest strength is his people skills. He has a knack for conveying even complex messages in a simple, light-hearted manner while getting his point across effectively. His understanding of technology is also exceptional," Parekh said.