Language has never been a barrier for this banker while reaching out to his customers. Sanjay Shukla, the new business head for consumer assets and sales at ING Vysya Bank, makes it a point to learn the local language once he relocates to a new city.
He is well-versed in Bengali after working with HomeTrust Housing Finance and Citibank, and knows Gujarati, thanks to his stint with the foreign lender in Baroda. Shukla will probably learn Kannada now as he is posted in Bangalore with ING Vysya Bank. “This will complete the circle. I have never been posted in South India. I have worked in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Baroda. I like to pick up languages as it allows me to connect with my clients,” he said. Shukla spent his early life in Kanpur and Lucknow, graduated with a degree in science and is a qualified chartered accountant.
For most part of his career, Shukla has been involved with setting up of new businesses. He was the first batch of officers who were recruited by LIC Housing Finance in 1991. He was one of the first employees at HomeTrust Housing Finance, a joint venture of Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) and Gujarat Ambuja Cements. HomeTrust Housing Finance was later amalgamated with HDFC.
At Citibank, he set up the foreign lender’s mortgage business across non-metro cities in India. He was also the first employee at Tata Capital Housing Finance. He joined ING Vysya Bank as he believes that the private lender provides growth opportunities in consumer assets and retail lending businesses. “The bank aims to scale up business volume and expand geographical reach. So, it is pretty much like setting up these businesses," he said.
When he is not working, Shukla spends his time reading books on self-development. His personal library is stacked up with over 500 books. He is not much of a sports enthusiast though “being an Indian, (love for) cricket is in the DNA.”
Shukla is also known for his philanthropic activities and is associated with a number of charitable organisations in the country.
