Biography

Personal Details :

Mr.Salim Gangadharan is a seasoned banker having more than 45 years’ experience in both central banking and commercial banking sectors. In his career, he has been associated with the Central Bank of India (RBI) including five years’ stint on deputation at Central Bank of Oman (the Central Bank of the Sultanate of Oman). He retired from the RBI as Principal Chief General Manager and Regional Director in October 2013. He was the Part – time Non-executive Chairman of South Indian Bank Ltd until November 2023

Mr. Gangadharan has significant experience in policy making at two Central Banks. Core expertise is financial regulation and supervision of banks and external sector including FEMA with hands on experience in

Banking Regulation and Supervision

Implementation of Risk Based Supervision

Formulation of guidelines on Asset-Liability Management and risk management systems for banks in India and Sultanate of Oman.

Implementation of Basel I, Basel II Standards.

Implementation of macroprudential policies.

Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) Self-assessment at two Central Banks.

Implementation of Basel Core Principles at two Central Banp

External Sector

Policy making on capital account management and capital account liberalization.

Administration of FEMA, 1999.

Framing regulations and guidelines on Currency Futures and other derivative instruments, under FEMA,1999.

Active Capital Account Management.

Off-shore banking.

FEMA Expert Witness in international arbitrations.

Academics

Academic Background :

Master of Arts (M.A) in Economics, Kerala University (1976) – Fourth Rank Holder.

Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers (1988).

Advanced Executive Development Programme (Kellogg Business School, USA) - 2009.

Certificate in IT and Cyber Security (IDBRT) - 2018.

Training Programmes

Advanced Executive Development Programme, Kellogg School of Management.

Bank of England seminar on Lessons for Central Bankers from Financial crises.

Financial Stability Institute, BIS on market and credit risks.

Bank of England on bank supervision and payment systems.

BIS on consolidated supervision, loan accounting, bank transparency, Basel II.

Euro Money on derivatives.

Bank of France on bank supervision.

Federal Reserve of New York on bank supervision

Achievements

Devised a framework for critical analysis of Balance Sheets of Banks, which is being utilized as an effective supervisory tool. RBI issued a letter of appreciation.

Appointed as Nodal Officer in RBI for implementing Asset-Liability Management Systems in Banks in India

Drafted the Guidelines on Risk Management Systems in Banks in India and Sultanate of Oman.

Assigned the responsibility of drafting the comments of India and Sultanate of Oman on the proposals contained in the New Capital Adequacy Framework of the Basel Committee.

Actively associated in the self-assessment made by India and Sultanate of Oman on compliance with Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision

Closely associated with the external assessments (FSAP) made by the joint team of IMF – World Bank on India and Sultanate of Oman.

Presented a paper on ‘Risk Management Systems and Implications for Wider Economy’ in the seminar on Lessons for Central Bankers from Recent Financial Crises, organized by Bank of England, London for senior bankers across the world.

Conducted a training programme on Asset-Liability Management at the request of the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran (Central Bank) at Teheran for the officials of the Central Bank and Commercial Banks in Iran.

Associated closely the project on introducing Risk-based Supervision in Reserve Bank of India/Oman.

Awarded a cash prize of USD 2,500 for updating the Banking Regulations in the Central Bank of Oman.

Chaired an Internal Committee in the Reserve Bank for introducing exchange traded currency futures contracts.

Chaired a multi-disciplinary committee for adoption of AS 30 (equivalent of IAS 39) by the banks in India.

Made a presentation on financialization and capital flows and Sustainable development in the seminars organized by the UNDP in South Africa and Bhutan.

In March and September 2015, conducted a study on off-shore banking risks and AML standards in Seychelles, as part on an IMF Mission.

Handled a seminar on prudential regulation and supervision for the benefit of African supervisors in December 2015/2016/2017/2018/2019/2021/2022, at the behest of IMF.

Conducted three seminars on Risks in cross-border transactions for the benefit of South African Reserve Bank and other Government Agencies, at the behest of IMF.

Professional Memberships

Part-time Non-executive Chairman of the South Indian Bank Ltd (2016-2023).

Independent Director – South Indian Bank (2014-16).

Nominee Director – Central Bank of India (2010-2013).

Nominee Director – Syndicate Bank (2007-09).

Nominee Director – Catholic Syrian Bank (1990-93).

Independent Board member in National Securities Clearing Corporation of India and heading the Risk Management and Technology Committees (2016-22).

Short-term Expert of the IMF on banking supervision and external sector (Continuing).

Member of the Board and Executive Committee of the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) (Continuing).

Independent Director on the Board of Xflow Payments India (P) Ltd (continuing).

FEMA Consultant to two top TATA Group companies.

Freelance advisor on FEMA matters.

FEMA Expert on International Arbitration.

Principal Chief General Manager and Regional Director (2011-2013), Reserve Bank of India.

Head and Chief General Manager- in- Charge of Foreign Exchange Department (2006- 2011), Reserve Bank of India.

Senior Bank Examiner in prudential policies and risk -based supervision – Central Bank of Oman (2001-2006).

General Manager in Prudential Policies, Reserve Bank of India (1998-2001).

Senior Member of Faculty (Bankers Training College) in prudential policies, Risk Management, Payment and Settlement System and financial markets (1993-1998), Reserve Bank of India.

Experience

Work Experience :

As a Consultant and Board Member

• Mr. Gangadharan undertakes financial appraisal of Co-operative Banks in the State of Kerala.

• He prepared a strategic vision document and five -year business plan and strategy for Idukki District Cooperative Bank.

• As Chairman of the South Indian Bank, Mr. Gangadharan headed the Board, Management Committee, and Capital Raising and Nomination Committees. He was also the key member of the Risk Management, Frauds, and Nomination and Remuneration Committees.

• He headed the Risk Management/ Technology Committee of National Securities Clearing Corporation of India. Overseeing the payment and settlement of securities, both cash and derivative instruments traded in the NSE. The expertise span over dynamic margin management, counterparty credit risk management, operational risk, risk governance, cyber security, etc.

• He participated as expert Faculty in two seminars conducted by UNDP in South Africa and Th

  imbu.

• Mr. Gangadharan has been conducting seminars and debates on contemporary banking subjects for the benefit of many institutions.

• He has been the IMF Short-term Expert on Off-shore banking risks and risk rating of banks and has undertaken missions to Nepal, Seychelles, and conducting international courses on bank supervision, and risks in cross-border transactions.

• He functioned as a FEMA Expert in high profile International Arbitrations

• Mr. Gangadharan has also been acting as a freelance consultant on FEMA issues to companies.

As a Principal Chief General Manger and Regional Director, RBI (2011-2013)

• He undertook Principal Supervisor of financial institutions in the States of West Bengal and Kerala.

• He was responsible for overseeing the developmental function, including dispensation of credit to SMEs, agriculture and financial inclusion by b

  anks.

• He was also the head of several Committees on development of the States, financial health of banks, co-operative banks,

  etc.

As a Chief General Manager in Charge of Foreign Exchange Department of RBI (2006-11)

• He designed and tweaked capital account and current account regulations/t

  ools.

• He implemented the recommendations of the Committee on Fuller Capital Account Convertibility.

• He also contributed to the evolution of appropriate regulatory and risk management architecture for foreign exchange derivative products

• Mr. Gangadharan was associated with the Group on Off-shore banking in India.

• He headed an Internal Group, which designed the regulatory and institutional architecture for introduction of currency futures.

• He was also a member of a Government Committee on liberalization of the rules governing FDI.

• He was part of the Implementation Group on IFRS

• He was also part of the Core Group on evolving a Contingency Plan involving monetary, regulatory, capital control tools and market intervention strategies during capital flows under six scenarios.

• Mr. Gangadharan was also a part of the Core Group on implementation of the Active Capital Account Management framework.

• He represented India in the Trade Finance Group meetings held in Washington, jointly at the behest of US Treasury, IMF, World Bank, etc.

As a Senior Bank Examiner in Central Bank of Oman ( 2001-2006)

• He formulated regulatory and supervisory policies.

• Mr. Gangadharan undertook self-assessment of compliance with and drafting of an Action Plan to implement Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision.

• He was member Secretary of the High-Level Committee on Implementation of the Recommendation of the FSAP Mission.

• He drafted Guidelines on Risk Management Systems in Banks, constructed Financial Soundness Indicators, evolved an Off-site Monitoring System and Supervisory Rating Framework and also evolved a Prompt Corrective Action Framework to deal with Weak Banks.

• He was a member Secretary of the Basel II Implementation Group

• He drafted the Guidelines on Basel II

As a General Manger in Prudential policies (1998-2001)

• He was involved in formulating guidelines policies on Asset-Liability Management, Risk Management Systems in Banks.

• Mr. Gangadharan was responsible for implementation of Basel II, Prudential policies, Basel Committee’s Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision, Prompt Corrective Action.

• He undertook discussions with external agencies i.e., IMF, World Bank, Rating Agencies.

• He provided academic support to top training establishments and banks in Risk Management, Capital Adequacy Framework, Prudential Regulations.

• He played the role of a resource person to PWC, London on risk-based supervision.

• He was also a member of the Implementation Group on Risk-based Supervision and evolving a risk-focused template .

As a Deputy General Manager and Senior Member of Faculty (1993-98)

• Mr. Gangadharan organised training programmes/ seminars/ workshops for middle and Top Executives of commercial banks based in India and abroad.

• His key areas included Treasury management, Asset- liability management, risk management, Credit risk analysis, payment and settlement systems, bank supervision, loan syndication, financial markets integration, foreign exchange market.

• He designed and executed a series of programmes on payment and settlement systems, covering the instruments, legal framework, media, risks, settlements, in all segments of the financial markets.