Karnataka Bank has formally appointed Raghavendra Srinivas Bhat as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for a one-year tenure beginning November 16, 2025. This milestone comes after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) granted its approval through an official communication dated November 14, 2025. The Bank’s Board of Directors ratified the appointment the following day during its meeting on November 15, marking a significant step toward ensuring continuity in leadership and operational stability.
The announcement reinforces the trust placed in Bhat’s leadership during what has been a pivotal transition period for the Bank. He had previously assumed charge as Additional Director and MD & CEO for a three-month interim term starting July 16, 2025, following the resignations of the earlier MD and the Executive Director. During this interim period, Bhat was tasked with guiding the institution through a phase of organisational recalibration, ensuring the smooth functioning of operations while the Bank prepared for a longer-term leadership strategy.
With his newly extended mandate, Bhat is expected to play a central role in driving Karnataka Bank’s strategic direction over the coming year. His responsibilities include strengthening governance frameworks, enhancing operational resilience, and supporting the Bank’s roadmap for sustainable growth. As the institution continues navigating a competitive and digitally evolving banking landscape, his leadership will be critical in shaping initiatives related to customer engagement, risk management, regulatory compliance, and digital transformation.
The one-year appointment provides Karnataka Bank with a stable executive foundation at a time when Indian banking institutions are increasingly focusing on robust governance, sound financial management, and technology-enabled modernization. Bhat’s continuity ensures that ongoing programs and long-term priorities can be carried forward without disruption, maintaining alignment with regulatory expectations and stakeholder confidence.
As Karnataka Bank moves through this important phase of consolidation and forward planning, Bhat’s experience and steady leadership are expected to contribute significantly to reinforcing organisational strength, enhancing performance metrics, and supporting the Bank’s mission of delivering reliable and customer-centric banking services.
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