Having spent nearly four decades in banking industry and witnessing various stages of development in the sector, Mr Ajai Kumar has now assumed charge as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Corporation Bank.

Mr Kumar, who worked as General Manager in Bank of Baroda and as Executive Director in UCO Bank, has wide experience in domestic and overseas operations.

Blending his experience with the work culture and commitment of people in Corporation Bank, Mr Kumar is aiming to take the bank to the next level.

After assuming charge as CMD of the bank here, Mr Kumar spoke to Business Line .

Excerpts from the interview:

You say that the bank should reach the next level. How will you achieve this?

This bank is a very good one. However, that goodness should be translated into the next level, that is excellence.

With the strength of people, which I have witnessed in the last three days, if we are able to put our footprint across the country, believe me it can be the best bank.

The work culture, commitment of people and knowledge of people here are excellent. They have to be channelised for larger footprint. I am sure I will be able contribute to take the bank in this direction.

What plans do you have for expansion?

The bank is in the process of having pan-India presence. The bank is planning to open 200 branches every year. At present, we have more than 1,300 branches.

There has to be a much faster branch expansion for the next fiscal. It would be an accelerated branch expansion so that strength of the bank and its customer-focus approach is extended to the customers across the country for their benefit and for the growth of the bank.

Tell us about the overseas expansion plans.

We have representative offices in Hong Kong and Dubai. I would be looking for overseas presence in areas that are not developed like Africa. In Dubai we can actually look for expansion.

What plans do you have on financial inclusion programme, as Corporation Bank's initiatives are praised by many people?

Corporation Bank has done good work in financial inclusion. That was praised by the RBI also. I have a lot of interest in financial inclusion, and will be very much included in financial inclusion programme of the bank. I would certainly see that this model, which would include brick-and-mortar and ICT-based ones, gives best value not only with savings bank and other remittance products but also with loan products.

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