Canara Bank has named Hardeep Singh Ahluwalia as its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer on an interim basis, effective January 1, 2026, following the retirement of current MD and CEO K Satyanarayana Raju.
The appointment was notified by the Department of Financial Services under the Ministry of Finance on December 30, 2025, and disclosed by the bank through a regulatory filing.
Ahluwalia, who is currently serving as Executive Director at Canara Bank, will take on additional charge of the top executive role for a period of three months, ending March 31, 2026, or until a permanent MD and CEO is appointed, whichever comes earlier.
A senior career banker with over 30 years of experience, Ahluwalia has worked across multiple business verticals and geographies. His professional background includes leadership roles in credit, operations, risk management, and strategic planning. He has also gained international exposure through assignments in overseas banking operations, including a stint in Hong Kong.
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The interim appointment is aimed at ensuring leadership continuity during the transition period at the state-owned lender. Canara Bank remains one of India’s largest public sector banks, with a strong national presence and a growing emphasis on retail lending, digital transformation, and balance sheet strength.
The leadership change comes at a time when public sector banks are operating in an environment marked by heightened regulatory oversight, increasing competition from private sector lenders and fintech firms, and rising expectations around technology-led efficiency and customer service.
The government is expected to begin the process of selecting a full-time Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer in the coming months. Until then, Ahluwalia will oversee the bank’s operations as it continues to pursue its growth and transformation agenda.
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