Rana Kapoor: The Man Behind India’s Fastest-Growing YES Bank

Rana Kapoor is popularly known as the co-founder, former Managing Director and CEO of India’s fourth largest private sector bank- YES Bank which ranks just below HDFC Bank, Axis Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank.

He was born into a middle-class family and earned his bachelor’s in Economics at the University of Delhi. After completing his Masters, Mr. Rana Kapoor began his career as an intern at the Citi Bank in New York. It was here that he first saw the possibility of creating a modern and advanced banking system in India. Years later, he achieved his dream. It took decades of hard work, perseverance, and unwavering determination to create one of the most respected private banks in the world.

His academic achievements include an honorary fellowship from All India Management Association, President’s Medal from Rutgers University and an honorary Ph.D. at GB Pant University of Agriculture & Technology. Rana Kapoor, who was also an academic star, was awarded Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 2005. He became a self-made millionaire by the beginning of 2017.

His success did not begin at Yes Bank. He had already made a name for his self long before that. Rana Kapoor’s path was long and difficult, with many obstacles and hurdles. He was born into a wealthy, upper-middle class family that gave him an advantage over others. But it was Dr. Kapoor’s genius at banking and his years of service that made him who he is today.

In 1980, he began his training as a manager at Bank of America (BoA). Later, he was awarded the Eagle Pin by the Chairman for consistent performance excellence. He was a BoA employee for 16 years, where he worked alongside top corporates, governments, and financial institutions. He eventually became the leader of the wholesale banking division at BoA until 1996 when he was appointed General Manager & Head of Country at ANZ Grindlays Investment Bank.

Rana Kapoor knew when and how to take advantage of an opportunity to continue his journey towards his ultimate goal. He founded Rabo India in 1998 as a corporate finance and investment bank organization. He was the main managing partner and successfully led Rabo India, a joint venture with Rabobank in India. He also worked tirelessly to build the organization.

His historic success and modernization of Indian banking systems were made possible by the success of Rabo India. He sold his shares in Rabo India Finance Pvt. Ltd. to Rabobank in order to open Yes Bank with Ashok Kapur, his brother-in law. They were licensed by the RBI in 2004 as professional bankers. Yes Bank is the only bank to have been granted a Greenfield Banking license from RBI.

His network was strong in the corporate sector, and he found his niche with companies that had difficulty getting financing from existing lenders. Kapoor founded Yes Bank in 2008 to provide loans to all those in need. India was in economic recession in 2008-09. Kapoor was a hero to many, and Yes Bank became the “lender of choice”. He was the only person who believed in Indian Business and supported them when he saw opportunities in adversity. He also had the courage to place his faith in the growth and revival of the Indian economy.

Yes bank flourished under his leadership as CEO and Managing Director. He is known for his meticulousness and never wasted a moment of his time. His leadership abilities and financial expertise helped him transform his simple idea into a vision that has made Yes Bank one of the most important private banks in India.

His visionary spirit and ability to build institutions has enabled him to provide employment opportunities for over 24,000 Indians. His name is synonymous with Indian Banking entrepreneurship.