Jimmy Kumar (PFM 2000 – 02) is a financial and result oriented professional with over two decades of experience, targeting challenging assignments in Retail Banking in one of biggest private sector bank (ICICI Bank).
As a Regional Head – Retail Branch banking- he is managing a team of 200 individual professionals across geographies in driving optimum business results while adhering to the norms and standards of bank. He has an expertise in discussing financial requirements and rendering sustained advisory services to business clients.
He has been a happy banker for a long time now and firmly believes ‘Life is all about how many times you rise again’.
Q. How has been your journey from IIFM to this role?
A. After passing out from IIFM-Bhopal, I joined as a development professional in an organization- ‘EDA Rural Systems‘. This opening allowed me to understand the importance of accessible banking and marketing sector through the honey subsector. This experience equipped me to join ICICI bank in the Rural and Agribusiness group. At ICICI bank I moved beyond verticals from the Agribusiness banking space to Retail banking. This role also took me across UP and NCR ultimately bringing me to my current role as a Retail Regional Head in UP. Currently I am leading businesses for 14 retail branches of ICICI Bank.
Q. What were some of the key milestones/learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A.The key milestones in my journey were:
- Taking up the responsibility for managing and leading the Institutional relationship for ICICI Bank at NCR.
- Another important milestone for me was when I took up the role of the Regional Head of branch banking UP.
Q. What is the most satisfying part of your current role?
A. My current role often provides me with the most satisfying opportunity to nurture and equip young talents to become more proficient banking professionals and leaders of tomorrow.
Q. Has your learning at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?
A. IIFM being a melting pot, allows us to meet people from all diverse geographies. I think this is very important as it equips us to flourish as better professionals, and prepares us to take up the challenging roles in the corporate world.
Q. Who (or what) are the biggest influences or drivers in your careers? What would be your advice to freshers and IIFM graduates who are looking to choose similar sectors/roles?
A. My sincere advice to any fresher is: Give your best in your profile and do justice by contributing your 100 % sincerity towards your job.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. My Favourite Memory from IIFM days would be the Annual fest: Kalpataru (2002). I still cherish winning five different categories! I enjoyed it a lot, right from the dance parties to the overall cacophony.
Q. In hindsight, what was the biggest contribution (courses, faculty, library, friends, alumni. Anything else!!) or takeaway from IIFM that you think played a critical role in shaping you as an individual or professional?
A. Our friends from diverse geographies and cultural backgrounds really help shape our personalities and opinions. The faculties of IIFM were also a major support system to groom and enhance our personalities as professionals and encourage to reach our best potential.
Q. The best buddies/seniors/faculty at IIFM? Some memorable titbits that you like to share?
A. My roommates: Indrajit Chaudhari and Shamik Trehan were my best buddies. I also had close friends among the seniors Ankur Singhal and Amit Vatsayan.
Q. As an alumnus, what is your advice to freshers or those are joining IIFM to get best out of the 2 years there?
A. The two years stint at IIFM equips every individual to hone certain skills as IIFM is a perfect melting pot of all the geographies. People should try and discover their passion and then stick to it and make a beautiful career out of it.
Q. What is your typical day at the office? (We want to know what your day job looks like)
A. It starts with the setting of context for the branch leaders. Then I support and equip them to make a plan for themselves and their subordinates. Most of the discussion is aimed at increasing market share and operating profit for the bank.
Q. And how about weekends, Hobbies, Family, and anything else you want to add?
A. Weekends are always with family. My hobby is gardening.
Q. Favourite Books, movies, authors.
A. Favourite Books –I am OK You are OK by Thomas Anthony, Future Shock by Alvin Tofler, and Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter.
My favourite movies – Three Idiots and Dangal.
Q. Any suggestions on who you want to get profiled/interviewed here?
A. Indrajit Chaudhari (PFM 2002) Ankur Singhal and Naveen Prakash (PFM 2001)