slice Small Finance Bank (slice SFB) has appointed retired IAS officer and former IMF Senior Advisor, K.V. Eapen, as an Independent Director on its Board, reinforcing its commitment to financial inclusion in Northeast India. Mr. Eapen brings 35 years of experience in public administration, financial policy, and institutional governance, having served in key roles in Assam and Meghalaya, including as Secretary of the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER) and Joint Secretary, Ministry of Finance, overseeing national financial inclusion initiatives.
At the international level, Mr. Eapen advised the IMF on global financial governance, while domestically, he has held board positions in public sector banks, including Union Bank of India, and contributed to reforms in rural and priority sector credit, microfinance, and farm credit. “slice’s model of combining digital innovation with local branch presence is key to inclusive growth, and I look forward to supporting this mission,” he said.
Slice SFB has seen robust growth, with both urban and semi-urban customers increasingly adopting its digital and branch-based services. The bank’s focus on women’s empowerment, MSMEs, youth skilling, and first-time borrowers has strengthened its position in the city’s competitive financial market, driving higher engagement and community trust. MD & CEO Satish Kumar Kalra said Mr. Eapen’s addition will enhance governance, strategic oversight, and regional impact as slice SFB continues to expand across the Northeast.