Polali Jayarama Bhat
Polali Jayarama Bhat | |
|---|---|
| Born | 14 November 1951 Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada, India |
| Died | 9 August 2023 (aged 71) |
| Occupation | Banking professional |
| Years active | 1973–2023 |
| Known for | Managing Director and CEO of Karnataka Bank |
Polali Jayarama Bhat (14 November 1951 – 9 August 2023) was an Indian banking professional who held the positions of managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) at Karnataka Bank, a prominent private-sector commercial bank in India.
Early life
Hailing from Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada, Bhat completed his education at Polali Vidya Vilas School, Board High School Gurupur, and St. Aloysius College in Mangalore. In 1972, he obtained an MSc degree from Mysore University, securing the top rank, and successfully cleared the CAIIB examination in 1986. He briefly served as a lecturer at Government Junior College, Mulki during 1972.
Career
Beginning his career at Karnataka Bank Limited in 1973 as a probationary officer, Bhat advanced to Branch Manager by 1976 and managed various branches over a span of 14 years. In 1993, he was elevated to the position of chief accountant at the bank’s headquarters. His career progression included roles such as Assistant General Manager, Deputy General Manager, and Chief General Manager by the year 2005. On 14 July 2009, he assumed the role of MD & CEO and was subsequently reappointed for a third consecutive three-year term commencing on 14 July 2015.
Bhat possessed comprehensive knowledge of banking operations and contributed as a board member of Universal Sompo General Insurance Company Ltd., a joint venture involving Karnataka Bank, between 2007 and 2009.
Between 2010 and 2014, he served on the Indian Banks Association (IBA) Management Committee, leading the IBA Committee on Member Private Sector Banks and participating actively in the Standing Committee on Retail Banking. His leadership saw Karnataka Bank earn several distinctions in information technology, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sectors.
He held the honorary position of president at the Bankers' Club in Mangaluru and was recognized with multiple honors including the Aryabhata International Award, Outstanding Manager Award from Mangalore Management Association, A. Shama Rao Memorial Outstanding Achievement Award, and T. A. Pai Memorial Shrestha Banker award. Additionally, he was acknowledged as CEO with HR Orientation by Asia Pacific HRM Congress and received the New Year Award-2015 from Manipal University along with its affiliates.
Personal life
Bhat was married to Shubha Bhat and had two children. His interests included carnatic music, cricket, and badminton.
He passed away on 9 August 2023 at the age of 71 due to a heart attack.