New Delhi: The World Bank Group on Friday announced that an Indian national and Managing Director (MD) of the State Bank Of India (SBI) Anshula Kant has been appointed as the MD and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). With this appointment, Kant becomes the first woman CFO of the bank. The announced was made by World Bank President David Malpass on Friday. According to reports, MD and CFO, Kant will be responsible for financial and risk management of the World Bank Group, reporting to the President.

"I am very pleased to appoint Anshula Kant as World Bank Group Managing Director and CFO. Anshula brings more than 35 years of expertise in finance, banking, and innovative use of technology through her work as CFO of the State Bank of India," Malpass said.

"She's excelled at a diverse array of leadership challenges including risk, treasury, funding, regulatory compliance and operations. I look forward to welcoming her to our management team as we work to increase our effectiveness in supporting good development outcomes," he added. It also came to light that Kant's key management duties will also involve oversight of financial reporting, risk management, and working closely with the World Bank CEO on mobilisation of IDA and other financial resources.

"As CFO of the SBI, Kant managed USD 38 billion of revenues and total assets of USD 500 billion. Stewarding the organization, she greatly improved the capital base and focused on the long-term sustainability of SBI within her mandate. She has been a Managing Director and member of the Board since September 2018," the World Bank said in an official statement.

With direct responsibility for the SBI's Risk, Compliance, and Stressed Asset Portfolio, Kant led the creation of investment opportunities while empowering risk management throughout the bank. World Bank statement also mentioned that SBI veteran held several positions across the organisation and helped navigate a diverse array of leadership challenges.

Here's all you need to know about Anshula Kant:

i. Born on September 7, 1960 , Anshula Kant was appointed Deputy Managing Director and CFO of SBI in May 2015.

ii. Kant is a graduate in Economic Honours from Lady Shri Ram College for Women and a Post-Graduate in Economics from Delhi School of Economics.

iii. With a gigantic career base, Kant has been in the industry for over three and a half decades now. Her expertise lies in areas including retail banking, corporate credit, cross-border trade and banking in developed markets

iv. The veteran Indian banker is also a Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers.

iii. Kant joined SBI as a Probationary Officer (PO) in 1983. She has worked under several departments of the bank in order to move up the ranks. As SBI MD, she handles stressed assets, risk and compliance functions of the bank.

(With agency inputs)