My CEO

"Nothing but respect" for this man would still be too short to describe what Shyam Srinivasan sir has accomplished for Federal Bank. From the very beginning, he wasn’t just playing a role—he was living his dream. Much like a cricketer who visualizes the long innings ahead, he took the bank under his leadership and played his shots, taking it from a rising institution to a major player in the financial league. He didn’t just bat; he anchored. He made sure the bank, like a team, kept hitting milestones, running between the wickets of challenges and triumphs, always moving forward.

Shyam Sir reminds me of Rahul Dravid. In cricket, Dravid was the ‘Wall,’ the one you could depend on when things got tough. For Federal Bank, Shyam Srinivasan was that same wall—solid, unshakable, guiding us through the innings of growth and transformation. He played for over a decade, never once letting the team down, always pushing forward. He never let his foot off the pedal, ensuring that we were not just moving but accelerating, breaking boundaries, and reaching new heights.

A Man of Integrity, Hunger, and Dissatisfaction:

Shyam Sir has always been a man of his word. He promised change, and he delivered it—step by step, with integrity at the core of everything he did. And yet, what sets him apart is his hunger. He never settled for “this is enough.” There was always more to achieve, more to strive for. This dissatisfaction wasn’t a negative trait—it was what fueled his leadership. Where most would have said, “This is it. We’ve done enough,” he would always say, “This isn’t enough. There’s more to do.”

His hunger to achieve is like that of a great batsman, never satisfied with a hundred—always pushing for a double century. He is the kind of leader who doesn’t age with the calendar but stays young with ambition, inspiring others to do the same. His drive to play longer innings, to hit more milestones, is what has kept Federal Bank not just surviving but thriving.

3 Months, a Lifetime of Lessons:

In my short journey of 3 months with Federal Bank, I’ve seen and heard firsthand the impact he has had. It’s like walking down a street in your hometown and being stopped by someone who remembers your grandfather fondly. They share stories of the great things he did, leaving you with a sense of pride and responsibility to live up to that legacy. That’s what it feels like when people talk about Shyam Srinivasan sir in the bank. His legacy is already etched into every conversation, every achievement, every step we take forward.

My Meeting with a Legend:

Few days back When i got the opportunity to meet him I was told I’d be having lunch with Shyam Sir, Honestly I wasn’t as excited as my colleagues. After all, meeting a CEO can sometimes feel like a formality. But when I met him, that perception shifted entirely. He wasn’t just a CEO—he was someone who made you feel seen, who made you believe that your voice mattered. There was something different about him—something that made you think, “This is someone I want to learn from.”

I remember saying to him, “Sir, I know you’re busy, but when you get a chance, please read my book.” And the smile that followed was unlike any I’ve seen from someone in his position. It wasn’t just polite; it was genuine. That’s what makes him different. He is a tree of knowledge, deeply rooted in wisdom and experience, and I’m fortunate to be a branch of that tree.

The Hunger for More:

Whether it’s tomorrow or 10 years from now, you will always be my CEO sir. Your hunger to do more, to push further, is still as strong as it was on Day One. It’s a world where people often wrestle with the question, “Is this Day One or One Day?” But Shyam Sir, You always chooses Day One. Every day is a new beginning, a new opportunity to create something better.

And that’s something I’ve learned from him—to approach every day with the mindset of Day One. To push yourself not because it’s easy, but because it’s necessary. In the same way he has done for Federal Bank, always looking for that next big achievement, that next great thing.

A Final Thank You:

In the end, it’s not just about leadership. It’s about legacy. Shyam Srinivasan, much like the cricketer who retires after a long innings but leaves behind a record that others can only dream of, has left his mark on Federal Bank. His leadership has shaped not just the institution, but also the people within it.

Shyam Sir, whatever happens, you’ll always be the captain of this team. Your innings may be closing, but your hunger is still there, and we will continue to play by the example you’ve set.

In this world of uncertainty, you always chose Day One—and so will I.

Arigato, Shyam Sir. You’ll be missed, but your impact will remain as Happily Dissatisified.