Satish Kumar Kalra, a former senior executive at Andhra Bank, has been appointed as the interim Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of North East Small Finance Bank (NESFB). The appointment, approved by NESFB’s board and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), comes as the bank prepares for its merger with fintech unicorn Slice.
NESFB, promoted by RGVN North East (Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Nidhi), announced a merger with Slice in October. The collaboration aims to combine NESFB’s grassroots banking expertise with Slice’s digital capabilities. Slice, founded by Rajan Bajaj, also holds an NBFC license.
Satish Kumar Kalra brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having served as a senior executive at Andhra Bank. His appointment as interim MD and CEO aligns with NESFB’s strategic goals, especially amid the ongoing merger process.
Expressing his perspective on the appointment, Kalra stated, “This is an opportunity to be at the helm of a merger in the banking industry — a cross-cultural collaboration between two entities set to redefine the financial landscape by leveraging NESFB’s grassroots banking and Slice’s digital prowess.”
