Airtel Payments Bank Gets New Chair: Shabnam Sinha

Shabnam Sinha, a former World Bank professional, has been named the new Chairperson of Airtel Payments Bank, succeeding Sunil Mittal, who will step down on September 30. Sinha will assume the role for a three-year term beginning October 1, following her appointment by the Board and approval by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Sinha is a prominent executive and institutional development professional with over three decades of leadership experience spanning financial services, public policy, and development finance. She has worked at the World Bank, where she advised governments and institutions across Asia, Africa, and Europe on governance, operational effectiveness, and risk management.

Airtel Payments Bank serves over 121 million monthly active users and nearly 30 million bank account customers through the Airtel Thanks App, supported by a network of over 500,000 banking points, the largest network in the country, reaching three out of four villages across India. Under Sunil Mittal's leadership, the bank grew to become India's largest payments bank by revenue, with a strong presence across both consumer and enterprise businesses.

## What changed Sunil Mittal, the founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises, was appointed non-executive chairman of Airtel Payments Bank in April 2016. He will conclude his tenure as non-executive Chairman and step down from the board, effective September 30, 2026.

## Why it matters The leadership transition at Airtel Payments Bank comes at a time when the bank is expanding its reach and services across the country. With Sinha's appointment, the bank is expected to build on its foundation and further strengthen its position in the market. The bank's large network and user base make it a significant player in the Indian financial services sector.

Sinha currently serves as an independent director on Airtel Payments Bank's board and chairs its special committee for monitoring frauds. Her experience and expertise are expected to help the bank navigate the complex regulatory environment and drive growth in the coming years.