Speakers

Sonali, MD & Head Inclusive Financing Unit,  is responsible for achieving the Priority Sector Lending targets of the Bank, a regulatory requirement in the country. For people who may not be aware, the Reserve Bank of India (the Central Bank) directs Banks to ensure that 40% of their advances are to ‘priority sector’. Priority sectors include lending to Agriculture, MSME, start-up, social infrastructure projects - roads, water, sanitation, renewable energy, affordable housing etc. Securitisation forms one of the large components which contribute to meeting the targets apart from range of direct lending products.

Sonali has three decades of experience in the Banking/ Investment Banking Industry having worked on Equity and Debt sides of the Business. During the span of her career, she has worked in range of divisions including Financing, Debt Capital Markets, Corporate Banking, Transaction Banking and Syndications. Her previous assignments include working with Deutsche Bank, in the Financing & DCM units and HDFC Bank (India’s largest private sector lender) where she was responsible for setting up the Structured Finance & Syndication division; and with Credit Agricole in their Global Markets vertical.

As a strong proponent of Inclusion & Gender equality she has been part of Diversity Committees. She is also interested in ESG and has a certification having undertaken a program on Sustainability Leadership  from the Imperial College Business School.

Sonali has done her post-graduation in Business Management with a major in Finance.