State Bank of India Chairman CS Setty
State Bank of India (SBI) chairman CS Setty outlined a forward-looking strategy anchored in digital transformation, sustainability and customer-centric innovation at its 71st Annual General Meeting in Mumbai, while also highlighting strong returns for its shareholders.SBI declared a dividend of ₹17.35 per share for FY26, up from ₹15.90 in FY25, translating into an estimated ₹8,813.4 crore payout to the government, which holds a 55.52 per cent stake as of March 2026.The higher payout underscores the bank’s strong profitability and highlights its continued role as a significant contributor to government revenues, even as it reinforces its balance sheet and capital position. Last year, for FY2025, government received ₹8,076 crore as dividend from SBI.The dividend comes on the back of a strong financial performance, with steady growth in profits, improved asset quality, and disciplined risk management. SBI reported a near record net profit of ₹80,032 crore for FY26.Looking ahead, Setty laid out a clear future vision following plans to deepen investments in artificial intelligence, analytics and cybersecurity, while enhancing its omnichannel capabilities to deliver seamless banking across physical and digital platforms.Tech strength“We will continue to build a smarter, more agile institution by combining the strength of technology with the trust of our relationships,” Setty said, emphasising SBI’s long-term commitment to innovation-led growth.Sustainability remains a key pillar of this strategy. The bank is expanding its green loan portfolio across renewable energy, electric mobility and climate technologies, supported by the launch of the CHAKRA platform, which aims to drive financing and knowledge-sharing in climate-focused sectors.In parallel, SBI is stepping up its push in wealth management through initiatives such as premier virtual relationship managers, enabling personalised advisory services for customers across geographies. On the customer experience side, the CARE (create amazing relationships every day) programme is strengthening frontline capabilities to deliver superior service and deepen engagement.The bank also reiterated its social commitment, with over ₹700 crore spent on CSR initiatives covering healthcare, education and sustainability across more than 20,000 villages.As it moves forward, Setty sees significant opportunities in digital banking, SME ecosystems and advisory-led engagement.“With a strong capital base, and a clear focus on innovation and sustainability, SBI is well positioned to drive the next phase of growth while contributing meaningfully to India’s long-term economic development,” he added.Published on June 18, 2026
