Media365
HDFC Bank appointed seasoned banker Puneet Sharma as its next chief financial officer (CFO), bringing in the outgoing finance chief of rival Axis Bank to oversee the financial strategy of India’s largest private-sector lender.
The bank said Sharma will join as CFO-designate on September 1, 2026, and formally assume the role of chief financial officer from December 1, following approval by its board of directors.
The appointment comes a day after Sharma resigned from Axis Bank, where he has served as Group Executive and CFO since March 2020. He will continue in his current role until August 31 before moving to HDFC Bank.
The high-profile leadership move sees HDFC Bank bring on board one of the country’s most experienced banking finance executives at a time when the lender is focused on sustaining growth, improving profitability and strengthening its balance sheet following its merger with Housing Development Finance Corporation.
In a regulatory filing, HDFC Bank said Sharma has more than 26 years of experience spanning banking, financial services and corporate strategy.
Most recently, he served as Group Executive and CFO at Axis Bank, where he led the finance function while also overseeing investor relations, legal, secretarial and other key corporate functions. During his tenure, he played a central role in the bank’s financial planning, capital management and engagement with investors and regulators.
Before joining Axis Bank, Sharma spent 12 years at Tata Capital, where he rose to become Group Chief Financial Officer in 2014. Earlier in his career, he held various leadership roles at Citibank across treasury operations, structured cash solutions and risk management, and also worked as a consultant with Boston Consulting Group.
A chartered accountant by qualification, Sharma is an alumnus of the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad.
Axis Bank announced Sharma’s resignation on Sunday, saying he would step down at the close of business on August 31 to pursue another opportunity. The lender thanked him for his contributions over the past six years and wished him success in his future endeavours.
Sharma’s appointment is among the most notable executive moves in India’s banking sector this year and is expected to be closely watched by investors. As CFO of HDFC Bank, he will be responsible for the lender’s finance function, capital allocation, regulatory reporting, financial planning and investor communication.
The appointment also underscores the increasing competition among India’s leading private-sector banks for experienced senior leadership talent, as lenders navigate evolving regulatory requirements, changing interest-rate dynamics and growing investor scrutiny.
