She was the first woman Chairperson of the Bank, Ms Arundhati Bhattacharya retired from the leadership position in October 2017, after 40 years of an illustrious career with the State Bank of India. Rising from the ranks of a probationary officer, this banking magnet has steered SBI, the oldest commercial bank in India, in the direction of modern banking.

Ms Bhattacharya has the expertise and a deep understanding of all aspects of banking spanning credit, forex, treasury, retail operations, mergers and acquisitions besides the capital & bond markets. Leaving her mark in the global banking industry, she has also contributed to society extensively through her keen interest in promoting financial inclusion and financing of Self Help Groups.

Under her leadership, the State Bank of India was adjudged the Best Bank in India, Best Trade Finance Providers in India, Best Sub-Custodian and the Best Bank in India (Emerging Economy) and the Asia Pacific, by the Global Finance Magazine, USA. In 2016, Ms Bhattacharya was ranked 25th in the Forbes list of 'Most Powerful Women in the World' and 5th in the Forbes list of 'The Most Powerful Women in Finance' category.