Karnataka Bank Ltd announced the resignation of Chief Operating Officer Raja B S, effective from the close of business hours on October 19, 2026. The departure marks the end of his tenure with the bank, which spanned nearly four decades.

The resignation was submitted via a letter dated October 19, 2026. The bank disclosed this change in senior management pursuant to Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. The filing confirms that Raja B S ceases to be Senior Management Personnel as of the specified date.

Reason for departure

The official disclosure cites the reason for the change as the desire to pursue further career and passion beyond the organization. In his resignation letter addressed to the Managing Director and CEO, Raja B S requested immediate relief from services. He expressed gratitude to the Management and Board of Directors for the opportunity to serve the institution for almost 37 years.

Career trajectory and role

Raja B S joined the bank at the scale I officer level and rose through various positions and locations before assuming the role of Chief Operating Officer. His cessation from the post follows the completion of all internal formalities required by the bank's human resources and compliance protocols.

Regulatory compliance details

The disclosure was made in accordance with SEBI Master Circular No.: SEBI/HO/49/14/14(7)2025-CFD-POD2/I/3762/2026 dated January 30, 2026. Sham Kanathila, Company Secretary and Compliance Officer, signed the digital submission to the National Stock Exchange of India Limited and BSE Limited. The copy of the resignation letter was enclosed with the filing for dissemination purposes.

Karnataka Bank launched "Nava Dhamaka 2026", a suite of nine new banking products and services, on October 15, 2026. The initiative aims to enhance customer experience through digital transformation and technology-driven innovation.

The launch event was held at the Bank’s Bull Temple Road Office in Bengaluru. Managing Director and CEO Raghavendra S Bhat inaugurated the programme, emphasizing the bank's commitment to making banking faster, simpler, and more accessible. The new offerings span investments, digital banking, payments, customer engagement, and lending.

Key features of the new suite

The nine unveiled solutions are designed to strengthen digital payment capabilities and support institutional growth. Key highlights include:

• Wealth Management Platform: A composite online trading platform integrating demat, brokerage, and wealth management facilities.
• Digital Banking Upgrades: A revamped Retail Internet Banking interface with enhanced user experience and improved KBL Mobile Banking features, including Soulabhya Plus Deposits.
• NRI Services: Introduction of UPI services for eligible Non-Resident Indian customers holding NRE/NRO accounts.
• CBDC Integration: PIN-less transactions enabled through the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) platform.
• Institutional Solutions: A comprehensive Point of Sale (POS) solution for temples, mutts, and trusts to facilitate secure digital collections.
• AI and Lending: An AI-enabled Voice Bot for lead validation, the Drop Line Facility under KBL Micromitra for business improvement, and KBL Startup Finance for emerging entrepreneurs.

Strategic focus on digital adoption

The bank stated that these solutions reflect its strategy to combine its trusted banking legacy with emerging technologies. The move addresses the evolving needs of customers by integrating advanced digital tools into core banking services.

Distinguished guests, including former Karnataka State Cricket Association President Brijesh Patel, attended the event. Several attendees shared positive feedback regarding the bank’s customer-centric approach and technological advancements.

The initiative underscores the bank's ongoing efforts to leverage technology for improved service delivery and entrepreneurship support across its network.