3rd November 2025, Kathmandu
Nepal SBI Bank Limited (NSBL), the first Indo-Nepal joint venture in the financial sector, has officially welcomed Venkata Vamsidhar Kuncha as its new Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Venkata Kuncha SBI Chairman
Mr. Kuncha’s appointment is a significant development, underscoring the bank’s strategy to deepen its international compliance and operational efficiency by leveraging expertise from its principal shareholder, the State Bank of India (SBI).
The transition to the new leadership was formalized on 16 Kartik 2082 (November 2, 2025), with the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Governor, Prof. Dr. Biswo Nath Poudel, administering the oath of office and secrecy at a special ceremony held at the bank’s central office in Baluwatar. Mr. Kuncha was unanimously elected as Chairman during the bank’s 536th Board Meeting held just two days prior, on Kartik 14.
A Leader from SBI’s International Command
Venkata Vamsidhar Kuncha’s background brings formidable international banking experience directly to the helm of Nepal SBI Bank. He serves as the official representative of the State Bank of India (SBI) on the NSBL board, reflecting SBI’s majority ownership stake and its strategic interest in the Nepali subsidiary.
The Chief General Manager Connection
Mr. Kuncha is currently holding the high-ranking position of Chief General Manager of the International Banking Group at SBI’s headquarters in Mumbai. This role is critically important as he leads SBI’s international operations spread across 29 countries globally. The Chief General Manager (CGM) is a senior executive responsible for managing and directing significant business segments within the bank. In the context of the International Banking Group, the CGM is responsible for:
- Global Strategy: Aligning the international business goals of all subsidiaries and branches, including NSBL, with SBI’s overall global strategy.
- Risk Management: Ensuring robust compliance and risk mitigation across all international territories, which is crucial for a joint-venture bank operating under the scrutiny of both Indian and Nepali regulators.
- Operational Excellence: Driving management efficiency and the expansion of international services, particularly cross-border trade and remittance facilities between Nepal and India—an area where NSBL excels due to its parentage.
His appointment is expected to provide strong leadership in both expanding the bank’s international operations and enhancing management efficiency in Nepal, directly translating global best practices into the local banking context.
Ceremony and Stakeholder Presence
The oath-taking ceremony was a significant event, highlighting the strategic importance of Nepal SBI Bank to the country’s financial ecosystem and the close relationship it maintains with the central bank. The event was graced by top officials from both the regulatory body and the bank itself.
Nepal Rastra Bank Dignitaries
The presence of the country’s financial leadership underscored the solemnity and official recognition of the appointment:
- NRB Deputy Governors Dr. Neelam Dhungana Timsina and Bam Bahadur Mishra
- Executive Directors Guru Prasad Paudel and (Acting) Rajan Bikram Thapa
- Directors Rajendra Bhattarai, Ishwari Prasad Bhattarai, and Sharan Kumar Adhikari
Nepal SBI Bank Officials
The new Chairman was welcomed by the key executive and non-executive members of Nepal SBI Bank:
- Directors Ritesh Sinha, Bharat Raj Wasti, Apsara Upreti, and Dr. Gopal Prasad Bhatt
- CEO Ram Kumar Tiwari
- Deputy CEO & COO Bikash Anand
- CFO Rajesh Kumar Panda
- Company Secretary Khageshwar Bhatt and other senior officials
The collaborative attendance of leaders from the central bank and Nepal SBI Bank demonstrates the regulatory oversight and institutional alignment necessary for the new Chairman to effectively execute his mandate and steer the bank through the complex domestic and international financial environment. The appointment of a highly experienced international banker like Mr. Kuncha is a strategic move to secure the bank’s leadership position and its pivotal role in facilitating Indo-Nepal economic ties.
For More: Venkata Kuncha SBI Chairman