Banking legend credited with shaping modern financial leadership and mentoring industry pioneers
Victor Menezes, former senior vice chairman of Citibank and the first Indian to ascend to the top ranks of a multinational bank, passed away in the US at age 77. His leadership at Citibank coincided with its transformation into a global banking giant following its 1998 merger with Travelers to form Citigroup, reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Menezes played a crucial role in shaping India’s banking landscape, mentoring top industry leaders
Aditya Puri, the founding CEO of HDFC Bank, credited Menezes for influencing his thought process while setting up India’s largest private bank. As Citi’s India head, Menezes was also Puri’s boss and a long-time mentor. Puri described him as “a great human being, a perfect gentleman, and a visionary leader who foresaw the role of technology in banking.”
Beyond banking, Menezes was a philanthropist and a strong supporter of educational initiatives
Born in Pune in 1947, Menezes earned an electrical engineering degree from IIT Bombay before pursuing a master’s in finance and economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1972. His contributions extended beyond banking—he donated $3 million to his alma mater, IIT Bombay, and played a key role in the American India Foundation as Chairman Emeritus.
Menezes’ passing comes a year and a half after the death of his brother, Ivan Menezes, former CEO of British multinational Diageo. He is survived by his wife, Tara, and four children.
Biotech entrepreneur Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw expressed condolences, remembering him as “a wonderful and wise colleague at MIT.”
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