Hardeep Singh Ahluwalia has been given the temporary charge as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Canara Bank from January 1, 2026. This arrangement will last for three months, up to March 31, 2026, or until a permanent MD & CEO is appointed. The appointment has been announced by the Department of Financial Services under the Ministry of Finance, Government of India. The bank has clarified that he is not related to any of its directors and that no regulatory authority, including SEBI, has stopped him from holding the position of Director.
He is currently working as an Executive Director at Canara Bank and will lead the bank during this transition period.
Hardeep Singh Ahluwalia Professional Experience:
- He has over 30 years of experience in banking.
- He began his career in 1992 as an Agricultural Field Officer at Allahabad Bank (now merged with Indian Bank).
- Over the years, he has held many important positions in Indian Bank and Canara Bank, such as Lead District Manager, Head of International Branch operations, Zonal Head in Moradabad and Chandigarh, Field General Manager in Kolkata, and General Manager at the Indian Bank Corporate Office.
- He has received professional training from several reputed institutions, including the National Institute of Bank Management (NIBM), Pune, Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore, the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA), and the Indian Institute of Bankers, which has further strengthened his leadership, banking, and management skills.
- He also has worked internationally, including an assignment in Hong Kong.
In addition to his banking duties, Ahluwalia has also played an active role in building a positive work culture and improving employee engagement. He served as the President of the Indian Bank Cultural & Sports Committee, showing his interest in employee welfare and overall organizational growth.
Mr. Ahluwalia has strong knowledge in bank operations, lending (credit), loan recovery, and leadership, making him well-suited to lead the bank during this transition period. This temporary appointment helps ensure smooth leadership and uninterrupted functioning of the bank while a permanent Managing Director and CEO are being selected.