Dubai, UAE: Mashreq Bank, one of the leading financial institutions in the UAE, has appointed Rajeev Chalisgaonkar as its new Head of Business Banking and NEOBiz - a full-service digital bank exclusively for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), start-ups and young entrepreneurs.

Rajeev, who boasts over 29 years of Corporate, SME and Retail Banking experience across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, will help define the go-to-market strategy and build on the overall delivery and experience for Business Banking customers. He will closely work with other business segments to capitalize on growth opportunities as well as help drive a strong value proposition through cross sell and strategic partnerships to further strengthen the Mashreq SME ecosystems and in turn enhance the offering for our SME customers.  

Widely acknowledged as a thought leader in the SME banking and fintech industry, Rajeev has extensive experience in the digital transformation of business lending, development of new lending models based on alternative data, and forging partnerships with large data-driven entities for business expansion.

Fernando Morillo, Group Head of Retail Banking at Mashreq, said: “The banking landscape in which we operate today is fast changing and dynamic, but in the current climate it also comes with unpredictable market conditions. Our customers rely on our unrivalled knowledge and expertise to help negotiate a clear path through any turbulence. In Rajeev we have a stalwart of the industry, whose vast experience, particularly in dealing with digital transformation, SMEs and fintechs, will help drive our business banking and NEOBiz proposition to new levels.”

Rajeev Chalisgaonkar, Head of Business Banking and NEOBiz: is a metallurgical engineer and holds an MBA from IIM Calcutta, said: “It is a great honor to join one of the oldest and yet one of the most forward-thinking banks in the UAE. SMEs are playing a pivotal role in shaping economies across the region and Mashreq Bank is at the forefront of helping them reach their potential. I look forward to working with the leadership of the bank to build on the great work that has already been done, ensuring that our valued business customers continue to receive the best service and products.”

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About Mashreq

One of the UAE’s best performing banks for five decades, Mashreq is a leading financial institution with an expanding footprint across the Middle East. We have international offices in Europe, Asia, Africa and the US, and a strong presence in the financial capitals of the world.

As the oldest bank in the UAE, our journey can be traced back to humble beginnings in 1967, followed by periods of rapid growth and strategic expansion. Throughout our history, Mashreq has differentiated itself by pioneering new-to-market concepts and launching unique products and services. 

Our innovative approach sets us truly apart, it also continues to win us numerous awards and accolades across all fields including digital banking, the most recent were: Market Leader by Euromoney Cash Management Survey  in UAE for Corporates and in the Middle East and Africa for the Financial Institutions , Market Leader by Trade Finance Survey in the UAE and Middle East, Middle East Best Digital Bank by Euromoney Regional Awards for Excellence, the Most Innovative Consumer/Corporate Digital Bank in the UAE and Best Bank in the UAE by World's Best Bank Awards by Global Finance, Most Innovative Bank in the Middle East by EMEA Finance and many others.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Rana Al Borno                                                    
Public Relations, Mashreq                                    
Email: RanaAlb@mashreq.com