Key facts
- RBL Bank appointed Bhavin Lakhpatwala as its new Chief Financial Officer.
- Lakhpatwala joins from HDFC Bank, where he was Senior Executive Vice President.
- The CFO position had been vacant for about six months.
- Deepak Ruiya will continue as Deputy CFO after serving as interim CFO.
- The appointment comes as Emirates NBD seeks to acquire a controlling stake in RBL Bank.
- Lakhpatwala's appointment is effective June 12, 2026.
RBL Bank has appointed Bhavin Lakhpatwala, a senior finance executive from HDFC Bank, as its new Chief Financial Officer and Key Managerial Personnel, effective immediately. The appointment fills a vacancy that has existed for approximately six months. Deepak Ruiya, who had been serving as interim CFO since December 2025, will continue in the role of Deputy CFO.
Lakhpatwala brings nearly three decades of financial experience, having previously held leadership positions in financial control, corporate finance, and investor relations. At HDFC Bank, he served as Senior Executive Vice President and was part of the CFO leadership team, playing a role in the HDFC Bank-HDFC Ltd merger. His expertise spans financial control, business finance, investor relations, financial planning and analysis, and business intelligence.
The appointment occurs as Emirates NBD has secured key regulatory approvals for its proposed acquisition of a controlling stake in RBL Bank. The bank stated that Lakhpatwala's appointment is effective June 12, 2026. The hiring of a permanent CFO is seen as strengthening the management team during this ownership transition.