With over two decades of extensive experience, Pankaj Poddar is a seasoned leader known for steering organizations towards growth and fostering operational excellence. He has led some of India’s most respected financial institutions, leveraging deep expertise in Retail, Mortgage, and SME lending to shape strategies that drive growth, risk management, and impact. 

A Chartered Accountant and All-India Rank holder, Pankaj has built his career around a strong foundation in credit, risk management, and financial strategy, consistently nurturing strong teams and driving innovation along the way. 

As the Chief Risk Officer and core member at SBFC Finance Ltd, he was instrumental in shaping the company’s credit & risk framework and establishing a strong foundation for a long-term profitable business. Prior to that, as Chief Risk Officer – SME at Bajaj Finance Ltd, he played a critical role in developing and scaling the SME lending business with prudent risk practices while ensuring sustainable growth. Pankaj was instrumental in building various businesses that achieved monthly disbursements of over Rs. 2,000Cr and a portfolio AUM of Rs. 30,000Cr. 

Pankaj’s professional journey also includes successful tenures at Standard Chartered Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank, where he honed his skills in retail lending, credit assessment, and portfolio management.