The rise and fall of a banker
- Jan 8, 2021
- 1 min read
8 January 2021:: Guest blog/Book extract :: Pavan Lall/Yes Man - the Untold Story of Yes Bank
Yes Bank received its license to commence banking the same time Kotak Mahindra Bank did. Yet, sixteen years later, one bank has grown through a combination of cautious lending and prudent management. The other is a different story.
The story of Yes Bank resembles that of Icarus. Flying on wings created from feathers and wax, Icarus was warned neither to fly too low nor too high - so the sea's dampness would not clog his wings nor the sun's heat melt them ignores. Icarus ignores what he was taught, not to fly too close to the sun: when the wax in his wings melted, he tumbled out of the sky and fell into the sea where he drowned. The tale of Rana Kapoor and Yes Bank, like that of Icarus, is a tale of ambition and hubris and throwing caution to the wind. It is a reminder of the deleterious impact that the absence of a governance framework, with its checks and balances, can have. In this case it broke the bank.
In this guest blog Pavan Lall quotes extracts from his just published book ‘Yes Man: The Untold Story of Rana Kapoor’ and highlights the deleterious impact that the absence of a governance framework with its checks and balances can have.
You can read an extract from the book. The extract dates back to the time when three individuals applied and obtained a bank license. Link
The article offers a sharp glimpse into how ambition, leadership, and unchecked risks can shape a banker’s journey from success to downfall. It highlights the importance of governance, accountability, and balanced decision-making in the financial world. Interestingly, while reading such real-life cases, platforms like PMAYG also remind us how structured systems and transparency can support long-term stability. Overall, it is a compelling reflection on how quickly fortunes can change in banking when oversight weakens.
This article offers a powerful reflection on how success in banking is never permanent without strong risk awareness and adaptability. It clearly shows how small overlooked factors can lead to major consequences over time. In today’s digital age, platforms like Shaladarpan also play a role in improving transparency and accountability, especially in systems connected to governance and data management. Overall, this is a meaningful lesson on balancing growth with responsibility.
यह लेख एक बैंकर के उत्थान और पतन की कहानी को बहुत प्रभावशाली तरीके से प्रस्तुत करता है। शुरुआत में सफलता, प्रतिष्ठा और तेज़ी से बढ़ती पहचान दिखाई देती है, लेकिन धीरे-धीरे जोखिम, गलत फैसलों और सिस्टम की कमजोरियों के कारण सब कुछ बिखरता नजर आता है। ऐसी कहानियां हमें वित्तीय अनुशासन और पारदर्शिता की अहमियत समझाती हैं। इसी संदर्भ में सरकारी योजनाएं जैसे "प्रधानमंत्री किसान सम्मान निधि" भी आर्थिक स्थिरता और भरोसे को मजबूत करने में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाती हैं, खासकर ग्रामीण स्तर पर।
The article presents a compelling narrative about how ambition, rapid growth, and weak governance can shape a banker’s journey. It highlights how success in the financial world often comes with hidden risks, where aggressive expansion and poor oversight can eventually lead to a downfall. Much like development-focused initiatives such as Pradhan Mantri Kusum Yojana, which promote sustainable and balanced growth, the story reminds us that long-term stability always depends on strong fundamentals and responsible decision-making.
The digital future of education in Rajasthan is now just a click away. The Government of Rajasthan and the Rajasthan State Education Council have launched the Shala Darpan portal to make the education system transparent and accessible.