South Indian Bank has announced a key board appointment through an official regulatory filing dated March 21, 2026. The bank has appointed Mr. Thomson Thomas as Additional Director (Non-Executive Independent Director) effective March 23, 2026, following the completion of Mr. V J Kurian's term as Independent Director.

Board Meeting Outcome

The appointment was formalized through a board meeting outcome communicated to stock exchanges under Regulation 30 of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. The official communication was issued at 9:25 p.m. on March 21, 2026, and signed by Company Secretary Jimmy Mathew.

Professional Background and Expertise

Mr. Thomson Thomas brings extensive experience to the board at 66 years of age. As a Chartered Accountant with 39 years of distinguished experience, his expertise spans multiple critical domains including Banking and Finance, Corporate Audit, Corporate Taxation, Risk Management, and Corporate Governance.

He has served as Statutory Central Auditor to three banks and has led audits of several large and reputed corporate groups across India. His professional capabilities include deep exposure to key regulatory frameworks including RBI, SEBI, the Companies Act, and the Income-tax Act. Mr. Thomas has successfully handled complex tax litigations for leading companies in Kerala, providing strategic and practical solutions.

Current Professional Role

Currently, Mr. Thomson Thomas serves as Principal Partner of M/s. ELIAS GEORGE & CO, Chartered Accountants, based in Kochi. The bank has recognized his strong professional judgment, independence, and governance-focused approach to financial oversight and risk management.

Regulatory Compliance and Approvals

The appointment requires shareholders' approval, which the bank will seek in due course. The bank has confirmed that Mr. Thomson Thomas is not debarred from holding the office of Director by SEBI or any other regulatory authority. Additionally, he is not related to any existing directors of the bank.

The disclosure has been made pursuant to regulatory requirements and is hosted on the bank's official website at www.southindianbank.bank.in . The appointment follows proper governance protocols with the seamless transition from the outgoing Independent Director.

South Indian Bank has officially confirmed its leadership transition through a comprehensive regulatory filing dated March 21, 2026. The bank has notified stock exchanges about the appointment of Mr. Jose Joseph Kattoor as the new Non-Executive Part Time Chairman, effective March 23, 2026.

Official Regulatory Communication

The bank issued a formal communication to both the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. and BSE Ltd. under reference number SEC/ST.EX.STT/198/2025-26, confirming the leadership change. This follows their earlier letter dated February 3, 2026, which had initially announced the transition plans.

Chairman Transition Details

Mr. V J Kurian will retire from his position as Non-Executive Part Time Chairman (Independent Director) on March 22, 2026, upon completion of his term of appointment. His successor, Mr. Jose Joseph Kattoor, will take charge for a period of three years in compliance with the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

New Chairman's Professional Background

According to the official filing, Mr. Jose Joseph Kattoor, aged 62 years, brings extensive experience from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), where he worked for more than three decades. He retired as Executive Director of RBI in June 2023.

Key RBI Experience

During his tenure as Executive Director, Mr. Kattoor managed several critical departments:

• Enforcement Department
• Corporate Strategy Department
• Currency Department
• Human Resource Department

Academic Qualifications

The new chairman holds comprehensive academic credentials:

• B.Sc degree
• PGDRM (Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Management) from IRMA
• LLB (Bachelor of Laws)
• CAIIB (Certified Associate of Indian Institute of Bankers)
• AMP (Advanced Management Program) from Wharton

Board Independence and Compliance

Mr. Kattoor has been serving as an Independent Director of South Indian Bank since July 18, 2024, providing him with valuable insights into the bank's operations. The bank has confirmed in its filing that he is not related to any other directors, maintaining independence requirements.

Regulatory Filing Requirements

The leadership transition has been communicated under Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, in accordance with SEBI Master Circular dated January 30, 2026. The information has also been made available on the bank's official website at www.southindianbank.bank.in for stakeholder access.

The formal documentation was signed by Jimmy Mathew, Company Secretary, and digitally authenticated on March 21, 2026, ensuring complete regulatory compliance for this significant leadership transition.