Being a woman in a country like India is really challenging. But many women have taken this challenge and proved themselves as a role model for others. In today’s post, we will tell you about India’s most powerful women bankers who are the role models for many Indian girls.

Their trailblazing attitude, passion for work has made them the most successful Indian women in banking. It’s important for the other women to know about them to get inspired by their stories and be finically independent in a patriarchal society of India.

1. Arundhati Bhattacharya

Arundhati Bhattacharya is the first name that comes in our mind when we think about India’s most powerful women bankers.  Mrs. Arundhati is the first woman who reached the post of Chair-managing director of State Bank of India. She was the first ever woman chairman in the history of 208 years of State Bank of India.  Mrs. Arundhati Bhattacharya joined SBI way back in 1977 as a Probationary Officer (PO) at the age of 22. She has been involved in many initiatives the bank has taken in financial sectors and for its female employees.  She introduced a two-year sabbatical policy for women employees for a child or elder care so that they can take care of their family while being on job. Merge of 5 banks in SBI in the year 2016 can be called the milestone of Arundhati Bhattacharya’s banking career.  She was also listed as a 25th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes.

She is a true inspiration for Indian women. She started her career when most of the things were not in favor of women and she achieved a lot even at that time. Now, the scenario is changed and more possibilities are waiting for the Indian women so what is there that you can’t achieve.

2. Chanda Kochhar

Chanda Kochhar is a well-known name for the Indian banking sector. She appointed as the managing director and chief executive officer of ICICI bank. During her tenure, the ICICI Bank won the “Best Retail Bank in India” award in 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2005. Mrs. Chanda completed her graduation in 1982 from Jai Hind College Mumbai. For her further studies she chose cost accounting and later completed her master’s degree in management studies from  Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai. Due to some work related issues, she had to step down from her position but her work was phenomenal and she is ideal for aspiring Indian bankers.

3. Shikha Sharma

Axis bank is no more a new name and most of us know about this. Shikha Sharma’s leadership is one of the reasons behind the growth of Axis bank in India. Shikha Sharma started her career with ICICI bank but later she joined Axis banks. She was appointed as MD & CEO of Axis Bank in 2009. The performance of the bank is growing since then.  The dedication and vision made her one the women at the top position in the Indian banking industry.

4. Shanti Ekambaram

Shanti Ekambaram is another impressive and one of the most influential women in Indian banking. She presides over Kotak Bank’s corporate and investment banking unit in April 2014. She is a Charted Accountant by profession and listed in amongst the most powerful Women in Indian Business in 2014 by Business Today. In her leadership, the bank’s assets and customer base both are growing.

5. Naina Lal Kidwai

Naina Lal Kidwai is another name among the names of most inspiring women in the Indian banking sector. She retired in 2015 from her position as Chairman of HSBC India. Her career is an example of excellence in the banking sector. Naina Lal Kidwai was the first woman to guide the functioning of a foreign bank (HSBC) in India. Apart from being at a leading position in HSBC for 13 years, she was also the first woman President of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). Kidwai had done Bachelors in Economics from Delhi University and MBA from Harvard Business School in 1982. She was also the first Indian lady to graduate from Harvard Business School.

Here are just a few names of India’s most powerful women banker. All these women set an example for other female bank aspirants. I hope this post will inspire you and motivate you to achieve big in your life.