Meet the Leaders Driving SBIC

Our team brings decades of banking expertise to ensure trust, innovation and excellence. Get to know the visionaries shaping the future of SBI California, their leadership ensures that the bank thrives and delivers value to our customers and community.

OUR BOARD

Our Board of Directors

The State Bank of India (California) is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors with vast expertise in banking and financial services. Our board members are seasoned professionals committed to driving our mission forward while ensuring excellence in service and governance. 

Ms. Jayati Bansal is Chairman and Director of the Board of Directors at the State Bank of India, California (SBIC).

She also serves as the Deputy Managing Director of the International Banking Group at SBI, where she is responsible for group strategy, business development, operational efficiency, and other key functions.

Ms Bansal oversees an international network of 244 offices across 29 countries and manages a business portfolio exceeding $73 billion.

She has over 33 years of banking experience and has held diverse roles in Operations, Credit, Treasury, the Financial Institution Group, International Banking, and other areas.

Earlier in her career, she undertook three overseas assignments: SBI Frankfurt, SBI New York, and as the Regional Head of East Asia operations in Hong Kong.

Ms. Bansal holds an MBA, a master’s degree in English literature, and a Certified Associate degree from the Indian Institute of Bankers (CAIIB).


Mr. Amit Verma is the Director and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at SBIC

He also serves as the Country Head of U.S. Operations for 

With over 28 years of experience at SBI across India and other geographies, Mr. Verma has taken on numerous critical assignments throughout his career.

Mr. Verma has expertise in diverse areas, including Retail, Corporate, International Banking, and Human Resources. 

He has also served as the Head of Accounts and Administration at SBI’s wholly owned subsidiary, SBI Canada. 

Additionally, he has worked in SBI’s Corporate Credit Group, managing a broad portfolio encompassing industries such as Iron and Steel, Power, Textiles, EPC, and NBFC.

He also headed a network of approximately 500 branches in India’s Chennai Circle, focusing on Retail, SME, and Agriculture segments. 

Before assuming his current role as Country Head of U.S. Operations, he served as Regional Head for East Asia, overseeing SBI’s operations in China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines.

Mr. J. Chris Karow has been a Director on the Board of the State Bank of India (California) since November 2023. 

He has over 35 years of experience working with global and foreign banks, community banks, investment banks, asset management firms, mortgage and real estate companies, exchanges, funds, clearinghouses, regulators, and payment providers.

During his tenure at Ernst & Young (EY), Mr. Karow held multiple roles and worked with over 100 financial services companies, including 24 of the top 25 banks operating in the United States. 

He has a diverse knowledge of external and internal auditing, risk management, business growth initiatives, mergers and acquisitions, and resolving regulatory issues with organizations such as the Federal Reserve, OCC, FDIC, CFPB, FHFA, SEC, and other global regulators. 

He has also led EY's West Region Financial Services Risk Management practice.

He has also contributed to the technical accounting of hundreds of audit clients.

He was a CPA in California and New York.

Mr. Karow is Certified in Financial Forensics and holds the designation of CGMA. 

He earned his Sociology and Business Economics in Accounting degrees from the University of California, Santa Barbara.


Mr. Niraj Kumar Panda is a Director on the Board of SBIC. 

He has over 28 years of banking experience and currently holds the position of Chief General Manager in the International Banking Group, overseeing the bank’s foreign operations. 

Prior to this role, he was the General Manager at SBI’s Local Head Office in Chennai, where he managed the retail business operations of over 450 branches across India. 

Mr. Panda has diverse work experience across Corporate Credit, International Banking, Private Equity, and Retail Banking roles. 

He served as Deputy General Manager for Private Equity and Global Markets, Vice President, and Head of Syndications for SBI’s U.S. Operations. 

He also led the Credit Department of SBI’s New York branch as Vice President and Head of Credit. 

He holds an MBA and is a Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers (CAIIB).

Ms. Nicole Carrillo is a Director on the Board of SBIC, which she joined in March of 2025. 

Ms. Carrillo is the Managing Director of Financial Services at Workday, where she is responsible for driving go-to market strategy for Workday's Financial Services Industry (FSI) globally. Before joining Workday in October 2023, she served as the EVP and Chief Accounting Officer at Loan Depot, Chief Financial Officer at Opus Bank and was a senior manager at KPMG. 

Ms. Carrillo has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Loyola Marymount University and also serves as the Treasurer on the Board of Governors for the Boys & Girls Club of Central Orange Coast. 

Mr. Edmond J. Sannini has been a Director on the Board of the State Bank of India (California) since March 2024. 

He retired from Morgan Stanley in 2019 after 15 years of distinguished service as the company’s Managing Director and Global Head of Internal Audits.

He was a member of the firm’s management committee. Before leading Internal Audit, he served as Managing Director of Finance and Head of Corporate Reporting and Analysis.

Before his tenure at Morgan Stanley, Mr. Sannini was the Controller at the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac). 

He began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers and subsequently joined JPMorgan Chase & Co., where he spent 15 years progressing through roles of increasing responsibility in Audit and Finance. 

His career at JPMorgan Chase included assignments in Japan, London, and New York.

Currently, Mr. Sannini serves as a Senior Advisor to McKinsey & Company. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Delaware. 

He is a member of the University’s Board of Trustees, serving on the Executive Committee and as Chair of the Audit Committee.


Mr. Prakash Paranthaman is the President and CEO of the bank. He has more than 28 years of experience in banking, having worked in different geographies like India, Middle East, Europe and the US.

OUR LEADERS

Our Leadership Team

Our leadership team consists of experienced professionals who share a passion for excellence. Each member brings unique insights and extensive expertise, ensuring that our clients receive exceptional service and innovative financial solutions.

As the President and CEO of SBI California (SBIC), Mr. Prakash Paranthaman brings over 28 years of rich and varied experience in global banking. 

His career spans across India, the Middle East, Europe, and the U.S., giving him a unique perspective on financial markets and customer needs. 

Mr. Paranthaman’s leadership emphasizes a strategic approach aimed at delivering value to clients and stakeholders. 

His ability to integrate global insights with local strategies has been key in steering the bank toward sustainable growth and excellence. 

Under his guidance, SBIC continues strengthening its position as a trusted financial partner, focusing on innovative solutions and customer-centric initiatives.

Mr. Raymond Lai brings nearly three decades of experience in commercial banking, particularly within the Southern California market. 

During his career, he has excelled in diverse roles, including field examiner, relationship manager, portfolio manager, underwriting manager, and senior credit administrator, showcasing his deep understanding of credit operations and risk management.

Mr. Lai's membership associations include the Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CPA - Inactive) 1994 and in the Institute of Certified Management Accountants (CMA - Inactive) 2006.

He has expertise in building strong credit frameworks that support SBIC’s strategic goals. His thorough approach ensures sound underwriting practices and fosters a culture of financial discipline. 

Since joining SBIC, Mr. Lai has played a critical role in driving the bank’s credit strategy and aligning it with its long-term objectives.

With over 30 years of public accounting and commercial banking expertise, Mr. Soumya Das is an invaluable asset to SBIC. 

As a licensed CPA and Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), he has extensive knowledge of financial governance, audit processes, budgeting, and risk management. 

He is a Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and a member of the California Society of CPAs. He also has a Certificate in Business and Accounting from UCLA.

Mr. Das’s deep understanding of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and financial regulations ensures that SBIC maintains compliance and upholds the highest standards of financial integrity. 

His ability to craft sound financial strategies has been instrumental in positioning SBIC for growth and stability in a competitive market.


Mr. Jay Patel, SVP and COO, oversees SBIC’s branch and back-office operations, including information technology, marketing, and human resources. 

With a career spanning over 25 years, his journey in banking began in 1996 at World Savings Bank in Santa Barbara, CA. Since then, he has held various leadership roles in operations, lending, and technology, reflecting his versatility and commitment to excellence. 

Prior to his current position, he held several senior management roles, including serving as the bank’s Information Security Officer for three years.

Mr. Patel earned a B.A. in Business Economics and Accounting from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and is a licensed CPA (inactive). 

His leadership focuses on creating efficient, technology-driven banking solutions that enhance customer experiences while driving operational excellence.

Ms. Liang Ni is the Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance & Risk Officer, leading SBIC’s regulatory compliance and risk management efforts. 

With more than 25 years of experience in banking, Ms. Ni is an expert on compliance, Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA).

She is a licensed attorney, a certified anti-money laundering specialist (CAMS), and a certified regulatory compliance manager (CRCM) with experience in both large and small financial institutions.

Ms. Ni’s leadership ensures that SBIC adheres to stringent regulatory standards, safeguarding the bank’s reputation and customer trust. 

Her strategic vision and proactive approach play a key role in mitigating risks and maintaining operational integrity. 

Mr. Nitin Bajpai oversees the management of SBIC’s seven branches, ensuring that they meet and exceed performance targets. 

He has nearly 16 years of experience in commercial credit, retail credit and branch banking in the U.S. and India, which allows him to bridge cultural and financial gaps, creating solutions to cater to the diverse needs of SBIC’s clientele.

Mr. Bajpai brings a balanced perspective to banking operations, focusing on customer satisfaction and sustainable growth.

State Bank of India (California) – Your trusted financial partner.