Samar Kagalwalla has been appointed as the Head – Brand & Marketing at CSB Bank Limited, taking charge of the bank’s brand narrative and strategic marketing agenda at a pivotal phase in its growth journey. Based in Mumbai, Samar steps into this leadership role with over 18 years of extensive experience in driving marketing strategy, growth partnerships, digital transformation, and consumer engagement across some of India’s most prominent financial institutions.
Prior to this, Samar served as the Head – Marketing & Growth Partnerships at Onsurity, where he played a crucial role in scaling the brand’s presence and partnerships over nearly four years. His stint at AU Small Finance Bank as Chief Marketing – Personal Banking & Media saw him spearhead national brand campaigns, including the impactful “Badlaav Humse Hai,” and drive media strategies that resonated across segments. Samar’s ability to integrate brand storytelling with bottom-line impact made him a valuable asset across roles.
Samar’s longest tenure was with YES BANK, where over nearly seven years, he rose from Assistant Vice President to EVP – Marketing. During this time, he helmed strategic marketing initiatives for retail, MSME, cards, and merchant acquisition businesses. He also led national campaigns, drove digital innovation, and forged alliances with industry bodies, significantly enhancing the bank’s brand positioning in the market. His contributions included orchestrating on-ground activations, such as the IPL “Shop Cricket League,” and promoting MSME excellence through YES MSME initiatives.
Earlier in his career, Samar held key marketing roles at RBL Bank and HDFC Bank, contributing to their brand transformation journeys and leading region-wide marketing strategies. A postgraduate in Marketing from SIESCOMS, with a Bachelor’s in Management Studies from Raheja College, Samar blends academic rigor with practical executional brilliance.
With this appointment at CSB Bank, Samar is expected to usher in a new era of strategic branding and customer-centric marketing. His cross-functional leadership and rich legacy in the financial sector make him ideally positioned to elevate the bank’s market presence, digital initiatives, and customer engagement strategies.