BANGALORE: Women are playing a pivotal role in India’s banking sector. In fact, the sector has had a large number of women at the helm of affairs as CEOs. India’s largest bank (by assets) is also run by a woman!

They dared. They believed. Some are heading the top banks in India, while others are calling the shots as company’s' CFOs. Here, is a preview on those women who have successfully challenged the limits of the so-called 'man's world'.

1. Arundhati Bhattacharya

Arundhati Bhattacharya is the first woman Chairperson of the country’s largest bank by assets, State Bank of India. Arundhati joined State Bank of India in 1977 as a probationary officer (PO). She held several key positions during her 36-year career with the bank which include, chief executive of the bank’s merchant banking arm– BI Capital Markets; chief general manager in charge of new projects.

She has also served at the bank’s New York office. She has been actively involved in the launch of several new businesses such as SBI General Insurance, SBI Custodial Services and the SBI Macquarie Infrastructure Fund. Before being the Chairperson, she held the posts of managing director and chief financial officer at SBI.