A dynamic Banker with an extensive experience in leading public and private sector banks of India for more than 25 years including 12 years of International banking, 8 year in core operations at Mega branches; and 3 Years in Domestic Trade.
Currently leading a team of young professional bankers of trade and general banking operations in the areas of branch operations, foreign trade, forex, capital account, project exports, risk management, corporate banking as Regional Service Head, Transaction Banking (UP & Rajasthan).
Also a Certified Associate of Indian Institute of Bankers (CAIIB) and certified professional of Trade Finance, SME and KYC & AML from Indian Institute of Banking and Finance, Mumbai;
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/ajay-bara-8480085
Q. How has been your journey from IIFM so far?
A. The journey from IIFM to the current position has been quite interesting as well as exciting filled with anxiety, failures, success and lot of learning.
The journey of more than 30 years cannot be summed up in 30 lines. Upon passing out from IIFM I joined TRIFED at their Head Office in Delhi along with batch mates Ravi Pal Gupta and M Ramesh Chakravarthy. The initial one month at TRIFED was a period of uncertainty and anxiety as all three of us had not been assigned any role or responsibility! After a month we were assigned to the roles which had little or almost no relation with Forestry Management. The role was of purely Commercial trading (both domestic and exports) of goods. It was a new learning for all of us and within a short span of time our presence was being acknowledged by the organisation.
While working with TRIFED we all started seeking opportunities in other sectors too. I got selected as Probationary Office in State Bank of India and got the posting in home state which initiated my banking journey. I spent more than 15 year with State Bank and have worked at more than 6 locations including a posting abroad. Substantial period of my association with SBI was in the areas of Forex, Trade Finance and International Banking. I had many exciting postings in SBI which includes my stint as Branch Manager in a remote village location in Jharkhand (area classified as Naxalite zone), in HR department at local head office in Delhi, Trade Finance and International Banking at Paris, New Delhi and at Corporate Office Mumbai.
From SBI I moved on to ICICI Bank in their Commercial Banking Group (now Transaction Banking) in Delhi NCR to end long distance parenting. After heading the Area Operations of Commercial Banking Branches at Noida and Delhi for more than 10 years, I moved to Lucknow this year as Regional Head Service for UP and Rajasthan in my vertical.
Q. What were some of the key milestones/ learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A. In each of the roles there had been immense learning opportunities which transformed a Forestry Management graduate to a seasoned Banker, Trade Finance specialist, Forex market analyst, Credit analyt and more!
Each role change been a milestone, bringing varied assignment equipped with new skillset. To sum up in few lines I would say: Baptized into domestic trade practices at TRIFED; Christened with credit analysis at domestic branches of SBI; Dated with trade finance, forex and international banking at Paris, New Delhi and Corporate Office and finally married to service and operations as Banker.
Q. What is the most satisfying part in your career?
A. Being in the Service Industry seeing the smile of gratitude on the face of a satisfied customer whether implied or explicit is the most satisfying moment for a Banker. There had been numerous such moments.
However the most satisfying part of the banking experience was at the remote village branch where I came in close connect with lives of many people. It was a village 70 kilometers from the district headquarter. Once a center of Mica mining abandoned by the ban on mining where only the ruins remain….with few hours of electricity during day, no phones and only limited connectivity with 3 bus services in 24 hours in an isolated world and economy. Although the nature has provided beautiful landscapes with hillocks and water streams, natural ponds, meadows and forest all around the village making it a perfect place for relaxation and nature therapy. It was in this world that I experienced the bottom-line of the fate of Government sponsored schemes for the upliftment of masses in the form of SHG, KVIC, PMRY, differential Rate of Interest and many more. Travelled extensively in the catchment area, identified young entrepreneurs and SHGs and supported them in setting up their livelihood and tiny enterprises for sustainability under these schemes coupled with bank finance. It was really heartening to see these tiny endeavors bloom and grow sustainably. The affection and respect earned during the 3 year stay at the village simply cannot be expressed in words.
Q. Has your learning at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?
A. IIFM indeed has taught me the basics which shaped my professional career. Two years of learning and experience at IIFM had transformed me from an ordinary graduate having solution based approach to alternative based approach to address any situation or problem. The field work and two Organizational trainings were a perfect complement to the classroom sessions for complete learning.
During our times we did not have the Google Baba or WhatsApp University to fallback for assignments or projects! The library and group study were common platforms for completing the assignments/ projects which taught us the value of teamwork and collaboration.
Q. Who (or what) are the biggest influences or drivers in your career? What would be your advice to freshers and IIFM graduates who are looking to choose similar sectors/roles.
A. My family has always been the biggest support and influence in my career.
Also thanks to my friends/batch mates who motivated me to switch from TRIFED to SBI which started my banking journey.
Change over from SBI after 16 long years to ICICI was quite sensitive and a critical decision where the support of my wife was instrumental behind my encouragement and motivation to move ahead.
My simple advice to all freshers and youngsters irrespective of the is sector is to rely on ‘Hard work and Smart work’. Hard work is you sweat equity and smart work is your thought process. Always invest yourself in learning the basics of the sector as that is the key to success.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. The life at IIFM is full of wonderful memories. The amazing campus and the life around with the informal clubs / groups such as Gluttons Club- food mongers; Green Panthers- for playing pranks on the residents, The Vultures-Preying on music with non singers…… all are part of the treasured memories.
I still remember few anecdotes which has stayed with me even after 30 odd years:
- Travel to TT Nagar Post Office after 10.00 pm to make STD calls at home, 3 to 4 of us on each scooter/ motorcycle!
- Walk down to the Bhad Bhada stream down the campus for swim.
- Holi Dip for the faculties in the tank near the library to celebrate Holi followed by party at the then Faculty campus!
- Night prank staged at the campus gate on April Fool’s Day!
- Watching sunset from the Mess lawn.
- Spontaneous early morning picnic to Sanchi & Bhad Bhada Dam!
- Moving the Institute’s water tanker parked on the road near hostel to get it inside the hostel arena!
- Betul Trip together with 1990-92 batch when the buses could not go inside the forest for visit hence a truck was arranged by the Forest Department! Also while stranded near a stream in the forest all the boys taking dip in the stream in birthday suit…not to miss few of us venturing in the nearby village for “Mahua sip”!
- “Naach… Naach (basanti)…. Episode by Sandeep on Shumon while singing classical Rabindra Sangeet at a formal function in the mess!
- Having fractured my leg while playing cricket and then the entire batch supporting me to accompany the group for fieldwork with plaster on!
And many more…….
Q. In hindsight, what was the biggest contribution or take away from IIFM that you think played a critical role in shaping you as an individual or professional?
A. It was the entire IIFM ecosystem comprising of the Course curriculum, Faculties, Library and Friends. Guess the only missing element was the Alumni as we were the 2nd batch of IIFM so there was no scope for that!!
Being a part of the very nascent stage of IIFM, we were apprehensive of the future and shared special bonding with each other. Group learning and collaboration and one to one connect with the faculty was the need of the time.
Q. The best buddies / seniors /faculty at IIFM? Some memorable tidbits that you like to share?
A. There was no single best buddy but the whole batch as we were just 21 and the seniors also equaling the number so a real small group. We all were the best buddies and till date we all share the same warm feelings.
Q. As an alumni, what’s your advice to freshers or those are joining IIFM to get best out of the 2 years there?
A. IIFM over the last 3 decades has created a niche for itself in the development, environmental & sustainability sectors along with the corporate world. We should never consider IIFM as a fallback option. The horizon of IIFM has broadened with the 2000+ alumni in almost all sectors. Learn and work with full dedication to make the most of your time in campus and then later in your professional career. This approach will lead you to a better and more satisfying career path.
Q. What was your typical day at the work? And how does it look like while you are on a break?
A. I am engaged in calls and virtual meetings with my Branch Heads, Internal Stakeholders and my seniors on a typical day in office. Mostly these are for internal reviews of process and service delivery and compliances. A good part of my time also goes into imparting training and knowledge sharing sessions with my team which is a combination of young (60% of them in age bracket less than 30 years) and vintage. Throughout the day, I would have colleagues calling and dropping by to have a short conversation for transactional guidance which keeps me engaged and involved with the team. My work does require me to travel a lot within the zone which is very fulfilling.
Q. And how about weekends, hobbies, family and anything else you want to add?
A. On weekend I just want to relax at home. I help my wife in the small garden (rather call it a green patch in the concrete jungle). I enjoy cooking, baking and trying new recipe. My wife is a HR professional in PSU and has an equally busy schedule so on weekend its only home sweet home. Recently have rejuvenated my old passion of riding while giving company to my better half on her Royal Enfield road trips.
Son; an avid footballer has completed graduation from Delhi University and eager to join Management Institute, I am trying to convince him to keep IIFM in his probable list. Daughter is in her Higher Secondary at DPS Noida who keeps her hands busy with paint & brush and piano. We also have Casper (Labrador) and Leo (Indian Pariah) to complete the family.
Q. Favorite Books, movies, authors?
A. Books & Author: I enjoy reading Trade Journals and Law Books. Some of the books I have read more than once are Fish Book series, and Dork series by Sidin Vadukut and Jeffery Archer. However I cannot stop myself re-reading the Asterix & Obelix series whenever sighted!
Movies: I prefer action & comedy genre.
Q. IIFM is driven by alumni’s passion and commitments towards its goal. How would you like to contribute to IIFM or IIFM alumni, students? Your engagement with IIFM Placement or OT/SI?
A. It would be an honour to share my knowledge and insights on Trade and Finance with students. It could be a formal talk, or an informal session whatever works for them. I would be happy to help current students and alumni if they are looking for advise or guidance to develop a career in banking.
Q. What do you think is different at IIFM now vs when you studied there?
A. Haven’t been to IIFM for so many years now. I think the last time I was there was during our convocation. Will not be able to comment although have heard good things about the change in course curriculum as well as the new course and the infrastructure development too. Would like to visit soon.
Q. Any suggestions on who you want to get profiled/interviewed here?
A. In my suggestion all my batch mates should get profiled who have not been interviewed till now. All have succeeded in their pursuits and have great story to narrate.