CEO Spotlight: Anil Chaturvedi

Anil Chaturvedi is an experienced banker who has over four decades of experience in investment, private, and commercial banking with leading international banks. He has worked as a Branch Manager at the State Bank of India, a Manager at S.B.I. Capital Markets Ltd, Bombay, a Business Development Manager at the State Bank of India, New York, and a Country Head for North America, A.N.Z. Grindlays Bank. Anil Chaturvedi has also gained professional accolades as the Vice President and Director and then the Senior Vice President and Managing Director at Merrill Lynch. He currently works as the Managing Director for Hinduja Bank in Switzerland, where he is responsible for bringing in new business, as well as developing new products for Hinduja Bank clients.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive? 

I like to start my day early with a 45-minute brisk walk in the park. During the walk, I plan my day and the important tasks which need to be accomplished. It helps to stay focused and productive.

How do you bring ideas to life? 

I read most financial journals – Barron’s, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times etc. early in the day, which helps me formulate my ideas on opportunities or threats.

What’s one trend that excites you? 

I like to think creatively – something others may not be thinking of. This provides a unique solution to a problem or enables harnessing an interesting opportunity for the clients.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an executive? 

Discipline in the approach to investing and to life in general.

What advice would you give your younger self? 

I encourage younger members to stay focused and disciplined. I encourage them to acquire greater knowledge and be specialists in their jobs.

What is something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on?

I don’t like pessimism in people’s thoughts. I believe that every catastrophe gives an opportunity and one must strike at the right time and not cry over spilt milk.

As an influential executive, what is the one thing you recommend other executives do? 

Be prepared, be cautious, be optimistic, work hard and enjoy your work and life. Without passion, you cannot excel in your goals.

What is one strategy that has helped you succeed in your career? 

Don’t criticize other peoples’ work or approach. If they are doing things differently, wait for their success or failure and then mentor them if they ask for your support.

What is one failure you had in your career and how did you overcome it? 

I wish I had gone to an Ivy League school. It may have changed my approach to things and life and my life. Also trusting some people who deceived you in life.

What is the best hundred euros you recently spent? What and why? 

I am currently learning the French language –  it is very costly but I am looking forward to be able to communicate better with my French speaking colleagues.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive? How do you use it?

I am not much of a tech-savvy person, but I encourage my staff to use the latest software. For me, PowerPoint and Excel are good enough.

What is the one book that you recommend the business community should read and why? 

As a banker, I liked Raghuram Rajan’s book The Third Pillar.

How did you end up in the finance and investment industry? 

My choice of profession after my MBA was to work for an international bank. Once I got to the US, I was excited by Wall Street and got my first chance to work at a premier Wall Street firm.

What do you think is the most important characteristic for success in the finance and investment industry? 

To be successful in finance and investments, one has to always study the global macro picture, which determines micro opportunities. One has to be a student of economics to be able to understand these trends which shape industries and companies.

Which technology do you think will have the most impact on the finance and investment industry in the next 10 years? 

Artificial Intelligence will soon partially replace human decisions on investments, so I believe.

What do you think of the growing peer-to-peer lending industry? 

Lending is becoming more difficult than ever before, arising from two main factors: the agility of businesses to transform their model in difficult times, and the trust factor for entrepreneurs.

What do you think are the most important factors for the finance and investment industry in the post-COVID world?

COVID-19 has become a major game-changer for businesses. Work at home is becoming a new norm and anything which supports this will do well. Social distancing and sanitation have become the new normal. Gone are the days of big conferences, big fairs, and exhibitions, etc. Intelligent communication is the keyword for success in business.

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