MAM
South Indian Bank appoints Jose Kattoor as Non-Executive Chairman
RBI veteran takes helm for three-year term from March 23, 2026.
MUMBAI: Jose Kattoor just stepped into the chairman’s chair at South Indian Bank because when the RBI’s former enforcer joins the board, even the balance sheet starts behaving itself. South Indian Bank has appointed Jose Joseph Kattoor as non-executive part-time chairman (independent director) effective March 23, 2026, for a three-year term. The appointment, sanctioned by the Reserve Bank of India on February 3, 2026, follows the completion of V J Kurian’s tenure on March 22, 2026.
Kurian had served on the board since March 23, 2018, first as independent director and later as non-executive part-time chairman from November 2, 2023. He played a key role in guiding the bank through strategic transformation and challenging periods.
Kattoor brings over three decades of experience at the Reserve Bank of India (1991–2023), where he held the position of executive director and led critical departments including Enforcement, Corporate Strategy, Currency, and Human Resources. He has been an Independent Director on the South Indian Bank board since July 18, 2024.
In his new role, Kattoor will work closely with the board and senior management to strengthen governance standards and advance the bank’s long-term strategic vision.
After steering RBI departments that kept others in line, Kattoor now gets to keep South Indian Bank on course proving that the best way to lead a bank is sometimes to arrive with three decades of regulatory muscle already in your briefcase.
