Manan Bhatt

About Manan Bhatt

I help banks and financial institutions answer their hardest strategic questions — where to compete, how to grow, and which bets to make with capital.Over 14 years across banking and strategy consulting, I\'ve led enterprise-wide transformation programmes, built investment business cases for Board-level decisions, and driven measurable outcomes: 15% operating cost reduction across multi-country operations, 25% process efficiency gains, and market entry strategies that went from whiteboard to execution.My work sits at the intersection of corporate strategy, wholesale banking, and digital transformation. I\'ve partnered with Group Executives and regulators (RBI, IFSCA) to shape growth strategy, portfolio optimisation, and cross-border product launches — balancing long-term ambition with near-term commercial rigor.What distinguishes my approach: I structure ambiguous problems fast, build the financial models that stress-test assumptions, and communicate clearly to senior stakeholders who need conviction — not just analysis.I believe in a holistic approach to solution—one that combines analytical rigor with creative thinking. By fostering open communication and collaboration, I ensure that all stakeholders are engaged in the transformation process.I am always eager to connect with like-minded professionals and explore opportunities for collaboration. Whether you’re looking for insights on digital transformation or seeking advice on strategic initiatives, feel free to reach out!Open to: Group Strategy · Corporate Strategy · Business Transformation · Strategic Finance · Head of Strategy roles in banking, fintech, and financial services.

Experience

1. Vice President Strategy & Business Transformation

   YES BANK

   Apr 2022 — Present · Mumbai, IN

   Strategic Advisory & Financial AnalysisBoard investment cases: Authored and presented investment business cases directly to the Board, applying advanced financial modelling, market sizing, and scenario stress-testing to inform capital allocation decisions.Portfolio optimisation: Led strategic reviews of Wholesale Banking product lines. identifying a 15% reduction in operational costs and reallocation of capital to higher-return segments.Competitive intelligence: Built peer benchmarking and external trend analysis capability across cross-border payments and digital trade, translating market signals into C-suite strategic recommendations.Market Entry & TransformationDigital Trade Finance entry: Conceptualized and executed a digital-first value chain for Trade Finance — from market entry hypothesis through go-live — improving customer transparency and adoption across two business units.Foreign Currency Settlement market entry: Directed end-to-end implementation of a scalable Foreign Currency Settlement System, improving speed, regulatory alignment, and future scalability for cross-border flows.Sustainable Finance strategy: Designed ESG-aligned trade and supply chain finance frameworks, positioning the bank ahead of evolving regulatory and client demand curves.Operational efficiency: Revamped trade finance operations, delivering 25% efficiency improvement through structured process redesign and cross-functional coordination.Stakeholder Engagement & GovernanceRegulatory liaison: Led engagement with RBI, IFSCA, for policy approvals, compliance strategies, and audit processes.Industry representation: Represented the bank in working groups on sustainability, and IFSC financial innovation — shaping external narratives and identifying partnership opportunities.Team leadership: Mentored junior colleagues in structured problem-solving, financial modelling, and executive communication, fostering a high-performance strategy culture.

Education

• Sheth N.L. high school

  SSC, SSC

  1989 — 2000

• MAEER's Maharashtra Academy of Engineering, Kelgaon, Tal Khed, Dist Pune

  B.E., Engineering

  2003 — 2006

• Chetana's R. K. Institute of Management & Research

  MMS, Master in Management

  2009 — 2011

• Indian Institute of Management Bangalore

  Infrastructure and Project Finance, Project Finance

  2017 — 2017

• S.V.P. Polytechnic

  DIPLOMA in Engineering, Electronics & Communication

  2000 — 2003

Skills

• Feasibility Studies
• Market Research
• Business Analysis
• Banking
• Strategic Consulting
• Management Consulting
• Business Development
• Economics
• Research
• Leadership
• Financial Modeling
• Corporate Finance
• Business Strategy
• Transaction Advisory