Shreyas Joshi is an experienced Corporate Banker with background in client acquisition, credit analysis, and various aspects of lending to Large Corporates, MNCs and Mid Corporates. He has previously worked with DBS, Yes Bank, HDFC Bank and National Commodities and Derivatives Exchange.
Shreyas has a BE in Electronics and Communication (2007-2011), PGDFM from the Indian Institute of Forest Management (2011-2013) and LLB from Mumbai University (2021-2024).
He is an avid traveler with deep interest in History, Politics and Music.
Location: Mumbai
Linkedin: Shreyas Satish Joshi
Insta: shreyas_it_is
Q. Tell us about your School and College before you came to IIFM. How was your experience there? And how did IIFM happen?
A. A large part of my schooling and almost all of my college life was at Bhopal. Prior to that I had to change many schools given my dad’s transferable job. 7 schools in 12 years of school life to be precise! While these frequent changes took a toll on my friendships in school, honestly, they added more value than damage. Since I had to be a party to these frequent changes, I developed a survival skill of mingling with people comfortably in a very short amount of time. This skill came handy in the later years of education and is of great use even today. Coming back to my education, post schooling I did my Bachelors in Electronics Engineering and like most wanted to join one of the tech jobs from the campus placements I had cleared. This is where I believe my life and destiny changed. My dad was pretty clear that he wanted me to finish my Masters before taking up a job and nudged me towards MBA preparation. Once it was clear that I wanted to do MBA, IIFM was a clear choice. IIFM had a cult status in Bhopal back then and I believe even today it is one of the most sought-after Institute. Primary drivers in choosing IIFM over other institutes were ROI, Placement Record and growing focus of corporate and government on Environment and Sustainability. Amazing Campus Life was an unplanned advantage😊. Thankfully I managed the right score to get shortlisted and could show the required zeal and enthusiasm in GD/PI to get into IIFM which by then had become the one and the only agenda in my life. Rest is history. Had a great time, was mentored by some of the finest minds in the sector, made some really good friends and got life changing exposure.
Q. How has been your journey from IIFM so far?
A. This one’s interesting. After two splendid years at IIFM, came the placement season. I along with one of my batchmate were shortlisted as final candidates for one of the most sought-after Organization between day 0 and day 2. We were then required to go to Delhi for final round with the Head of that Organization on Day 3 which was considered a pure formality as they had come with a requirement of 2 and we were the 2 shortlists. We went to Delhi, had a great interview and came back the next day only to know that both us didn’t make it! Boom… The placement drive had almost finished, 80%+ batch was placed and we both were back to day 0 in our lives. Somehow NCDEX which had an incremental requirement came back for me and there started my corporate journey into Business Development vertical of Spices Market. The other batchmate also made it to a good firm and soon the ghosts of past stopped haunting us.
Moving into corporate lending and wholesale banking was pure matter of chance. I had gone for interview for a different position and the HR felt I was more suited in Wholesale Banking role. He connected me to the Wholesale Banking guys and I landed at HDFC. Thereafter the role has remained pretty much the same across organizations and functional levels. Once in corporate lending, those lectures from Ashutosh Sir and the ones on Project Finance start making so much sense. You actually realize that you should have paid more attention there. But then on job training is a powerful concept. Even before you realize that you don’t know something, you are trained to do it with acceptable levels of result.
In a nutshell, the journey has been great. IIFM prepares you well to take on the challenges which you face in corporate life and never take no for an answer. Wherever I have come across my juniors from IIFM, the feedback has been nothing less than fantastic. Guys, now it’s your responsibility to keep the show running at the same level.
Q. What were some of the key milestones/learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A. Oh, there are many. But one thing which I feel is worth mentioning is the familiarity with rural India. I strongly feel that IIFM’ites are way more grounded and connected to reality in India than their counterparts from other B Schools. I vividly remember feeling slightly frustrated during those field trips in far flung rural areas when my friends in other B Schools were travelling to touristy destinations. However, the very first month at NCDEX made me realize how adaptable I was viz a viz my colleagues from other B schools in travelling to interiors of Rajasthan and conversing with farmers and traders engaged in coriander trade. 5 Stars to IIFM for this commando training 🙂 Back then and even today, getting a bottle of mineral water in rural parts of India is difficult. But given that we were trained in areas like Sambalpur, Patalkot, Tamia, Tehri etc., nothing bothered us. Today we joke about those days when we batchmates meet but one undeniable sentiment remains that the grass root level knowledge imparted at IIFM has no comparison and comes of great use in day-to-day corporate decision making.
Q. How has been your experience in your current Organization? What all areas have you been working here?
A. IDFC First Bank is one of the fastest growing private sector bank in India and is one of the most technologically driven organizations I have worked with so far. We have invested heavily in tech and customer experience is of paramount importance here. I work as part of the Corporate Coverage Vertical and my team handles some of the large corporate relationships for the bank. The organization is extremely meritocratic and result oriented and I would highly recommend it to people who want to make a career in banking.
Q. What is the most satisfying part in your career?
A. It depends and is kinda subjective! While we are directly not involved in helping the masses like an NGO would do or for that matter a small ticket retail lender would do. However, when we help corporates grow, the effect directly translates to the last mile beneficiary. For example, when we help setting up a plant in a remote location (needless to say, with all due environmental clearances) the entire social economic ecosystem of nearby villages and in fact the whole district sees a landmark change. It is very satisfying to see remote areas coming up on national radar, rail lines being laid, hospitals and schools getting built as a result of the project funded by us.
Q. Has your learning at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?
A. Definitely. As I have said before, IIFM changes you at genetic levels to become receptive, adaptable, empathetic and trains you closer to ground reality. This is a great value add in professional life.
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. The biggest influencers in my life are all in my family. I try and emulate the best of their qualities to become a better professional. My father comes from Law Enforcement background from which he later on moved into banking. A seamless move between two careers which were poles apart. No one could have taught me adaptability better. My mother who did her masters in science chose to focus all her energy in raising me and keeping the house in order. There can be no better teacher to learn prioritizing in life and industriousness. My wife who is Associate Director at Deloitte manages her work and home so beautifully that I don’t get any opportunity to crib even if I want to. Multitasker should be her middle name. And lastly my kids (4 Year olds). No one can be as persuasive as them for things they want. They can beat the best marketing and sales guys hands down😊.
Any ship is only as good as its anchor. Bad anchor and it will keep drifting to its peril. There can be no better anchor than your family to keep you focused and hungry for reaching your goals in life.
To freshers, I have only 3 things to say:
- Be Bold. Don’t fear challenges. Life is any which ways going to keep throwing them at you. The better you get at navigating through them, the more successful you will become.
- There is no age to learn new skills. Keep adding them. The coming decade is going to be different ball game. One skill won’t get you to the top.
- First impression might not be the last one but it definitely has a big role to play in the last one. The first 5 years of your career are going to be play a very important role in your life. Push yourself as much as you can and create a brand for yourself. These first 5 will change the course of the next 25.
Q. How did you decide to go for higher studies post IIFM? And how was the experience?
A. Frankly it wasn’t easy, but it was a calling. After ~10 years in my professional life, the work wasn’t as challenging as before. With team, things become more administrative than challenging. I love what I do but the challenge bit was amiss. That’s when I decided I wanted to do LLB. Since my dad had graduated in law and was already practicing post his retirement, I was deeply intrigued by law. Those dinner table discussions of various cases he was working on and office level interactions with bank’s legal matters pushed me towards it. It wasn’t easy specially making assignments and writing exams (both handwritten) in this phase of life. Made me realize how addicted we have become to computers. But it turned out to be the best decision in my life and in fact I am pursuing LLM now.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. There are so many of them. Makes you hum that line from Summer of 69, “Those were the best days of my life”. Those midnight Maggi cravings and red bull fueled overnighters during exams have a special place in my heart. But the best one is spending time at night on the India Gate. You had to be very sneaky about it back then. It wasn’t a cake walk. You had to make way past the patrolling watchmen, climb through lizards in the stairway and then do that one last semi pullup to reach the top. But once you were there, you could actually spend time under starlight sky all by yourself. Today you have to shell out big bucks to enjoy that kind of tranquility in wilderness which IIFM provided for free.
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. IIFM as an ecosystem is awesome. The rich library gave access to so many amazing literature on subjects. Alumni provided much needed guidance and feedback. Faculty was absolutely top class. Sometime its takes many years to understand the true value of what you get easily. This is so true about IIFM’s course and faculty. World class course curriculum and faculty added a great deal to our overall understanding of subjects beyond the prescribed scope.
Lastly, friends. This cant be put in words. The value they bring can’t be quantified. The memories you share with them can get you back to those days in just one phone call. Even during a busy day at work when you get a phone call from any of your friends, a mere 10 min conversation gets your dopamine flying high and cortisol losing its foothold! Journey at IIFM was a wholesome package and has a huge impact in all our lives.
Q. The best buddies / seniors /faculty at IIFM? Some memorable tidbits that you like to share?
A. Time spent with Parvej Sheikh, Ankit Pawar, Aishwarya Chandrashekhar, Shailesh Acharya, Ramkrishna Atre, Akansha Madnani, Sanchit Arora, Amit Maheshwari, Punit Dalal, Sumedh Bansod, Shobit Mani and so many others is invaluable. Its difficult to pick a few from the list when you have such amazing memories with all of them 🙂
The comic avatar taken by Manish Jha (Jha Ji) right before exams was a big stress buster. Just before the exams, the last-minute Computer Lab hustles with Shailesh, Aishwarya, Akansha and Ram paired with Bionic Burgers and Red Bull from Amer Bakery can’t ever be forgotten.
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. I always tell this to freshers in my team. MBA/PGDFM is not a degree or a gateway to land a good job. Those two years are for building relationships that will last for a lifetime and for creating memories which will put a smile on your face for the rest of your life. The course is designed in a way to bring the best out of you academically, so just go with the flow.
Invest in acquiring skills and knowledge beyond the course framework and develop some hobbies. I strongly feel those two years at IIFM have more to do with gearing you up for what’s going to come in corporate life than mere theoretical knowledge. Try and speak to the faculty outside the confines of lecture halls and you will be amazed how much you can take out of them.
Q. What would be your advice for recent graduates who look for changing their sector after working for couple of years?
A. Undoubtedly, it’s your choice. Don’t let the course, institute, family or anything bind you to something that doesn’t drive you. Keep yourself open to new ideas an opportunity that are aligned to your medium term and long-term goals. The focus should be on learning as much as you can during the 2 years at IIFM and then creating a brand for yourself at your place of work. Once that is done, life will take its own course and nothing can stop you from being successful.
Q. What was your typical day at the work? And how does it look like while you are on a break?
A. Given that I operate out of Mumbai, a typical day for me starts when I leave for work around 7.30 AM. Travel time varies from 1.5 hrs to 2 hrs which I typically invest in either a podcast or rounding up global news. Work starts at 9 and everyday is a new adventure depending on what needs the most urgent attention. It’s generally a mix of customer meetings, credit discussions and team briefs. It’s generally past 9:00 by the time I reach home and then whatever is left of the day goes to kids.
When on break the plan is simple binge watch and binge travel along with good food.
Q. And how about weekends, hobbies, family and anything else you want to add?
A. Weekends are usually pretty laid back. Good food, short outings and off late visits to kids play zones is the default plan on most of them. I enjoy singing and both my kids have a flair for it. So, we have our own mini jams and karaoke sessions whenever we can.
Q. Favorite Books, movies, authors?
A. I used to be an avid reader during my college days and the first couple of years in service. Unfortunately, I have lost that luxury off late and podcasts have replaced books. However, I try and read at least one book a quarter to keep me sane.
I recently read Ratan Tata by Thomas Mathew and Build Epic Career by Ankur Warikoo. Very good books. Have slowly started picking Marathi literature as well. While it took almost 2 months to read Mrityunjay and 1 month for Sambhaji, the experience was surreal. I am not very loyal to authors, so can’t name one. I take guidance from good reads ratings before picking any title.
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?
A. Happy to help in any way I can. I am guilty of not having visited campus for sometime now but would love to make amends real soon. I am open to mentoring the current batches, taking guest lectures and working together for SI and Placements. I believe IDFC has recruited from IIFM in the past so if it’s not happening now, we should work together to change it.
Q. What do you think is different at IIFM now vs when you studied there? When was the last time you visited IIFM?
A. I think what has changed for good it the alumni outreach and visibility. This was an area; the institute was lacking back in our time. I believe alumni meets too are happening frequently these days and am sure this will go a long way in building the right image of the Institute among corporates.
Q. Any suggestions on who you want to get profiled/interviewed here?
A. Aishwarya Chandra Shekhar
Parvej Sheikh
Ankit Pawar
Shailesh Acharya
Sanchit Arora