Puneet Bhatia
Mumbai
Summary
Dynamic finance leader with 20 years extensive experience in helping organisations excel in credit underwriting, scaling up quality loan book and risk management. Proven track record of maintaining loan portfolio quality, achieving targetted book and delinquency levels through proactive monitoring. Adept at stakeholder engagement, team leadership, compliance, driving innovative lending solutions and enhancing operational efficiency.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
5
5
Certifications
Work History
Vice President - NCH - Payment Solutions Group (PSG)
Tata Capital Ltd
Thane
05.2025 - Current
- Overseeing credit function, comprising vehicle & working capital finance to Transporter ecosystem. (Large, Mid and SME entities).
- Developing product, policy, methodology & system framework for digital lending and other transporter lifecycle finance.
Vice President - Head Credit - Corporate Lending Group
Tata Motors Finance Ltd
Thane
01.2022 - 05.2025
- Overseeing credit function, comprising Corporate Finance to vendors and dealers of Tata Motors ecosystem. (Large, Mid and SME entities).
- Structuring debt for favourable risk-reward, credit underwriting, EWS, ECL. Maintaining loan portfolio quality for AUM of ~Rs.5000 Cr.
- Leading a credit team of 7, mentoring them for improving analytical rigour, TAT, credit monitoring and portfolio management skills.
- Liaison with multiple internal stakeholders - Sales, Operations, Legal, Treasury, Accounts, Audit and Compliance for smooth workflow.
- Data analytics & process improvement projects for containing risks. Also tracking industry performance and business developments.
- Achieved sharper internal rating models and loan product features from credit, risk, compliance & market perspective.
- Managed external stakeholders like RBI, auditors, credit bureaus, rating agencies, software vendors and other lenders etc.
- Products handled - project & structured term loans, SCF, Invoice Financing, NCD/CCD, Factoring, Inventory Funding, Trade Advance.
DGM - SME and Institutional Lending - Credit / Risk
Mahindra Finance
Mumbai
10.2016 - 12.2021
- Tracking and containing SME portfolio risk, maintaining credit policy, industry research, managing compliance, reviewing new products.
National Credit Manager - Institutional Lending
Mahindra Finance
Mumbai
10.2017 - 09.2021
- Headed credit function for wholesale lending with a loan portfolio of ~Rs.3000 cr comprising about 95 small & mid NBFCs / MFIs.
- Achieved and maintained credit delinquencies below 0.5%.
National Credit Manager - SME Business Enterprises
Mahindra Finance
Mumbai
10.2016 - 09.2017
- Overseeing Credit function for SME Business Enterprise covering loan portfolio of auto ancillary, engineering and food & agri sectors.
- Credit underwriting, monitoring, developing EWS and maintaining overall loan portfolio quality. Contributed for ECL framework.
- Leading and mentoring a team of agile Analysts / Credit Managers.
- Data analytics & portfolio management for maintaining quality.
- Developed credit risk models and new loan products / schemes.
AGM - Group Head - Large & Mid Corporate Ratings
CARE Ratings Ltd
Mumbai
01.2007 - 10.2016
- Leading credit analysis & ratings of corporate debt, bank loans & Financial Institutions.
- Served as member of Internal Credit Rating Committee.
- Managing client relationships at senior levels within credit portfolio including Corporates in sectors covering metals, mining, power (Thermal & RE), ports/infra, hospitality, gems & jewellery industry, etc.
- Mentoring an agile team of 8-10 credit managers and analysts.
- Developing rating methodology for the sectors handled and giving write-ups on sector for articles in media.
- Managing SEBI and RBI compliances.
- Extending knowledge support to Business Development team for market outreach and client onboarding.
- Tracking economic, regulatory and debt market activities.
- Special assignments undertaken include Credit Rating of Structured Finance transactions including Partial Guarantee, PTC, LAS, CLO, EPBG, PLI etc.
- Created workflow automation through leveraging technology.
Education
MBA - Finance & IB
NMIMS University
Mumbai01.2006
B. Com -
Mumbai University
Mumbai01.2000
Certification in Blockchain & Cryptocurrency -
University of Michigan
08.2025
Certification in Future of Payment Technologies -
University of Michigan
08.2025
Certification in Lease Finance -
CRISIL
08.2021
Certification in Credit Tech -
University of Michigan
08.2025
Skills
- Credit underwriting
- Problem solving
- Risk management
- Stakeholder engagement
- Lending lifecycle management
- Business strategy
- Loan portfolio management
- Debt fund analysis
- Team leadership
- Data analytics
- Compliance oversight
- Business development
- Market research
- Structured finance expertise
- Microsoft Office Suite proficiency
- Co-pilot utilization
- Loan origination systems knowledge
- Industry database management
- Risk assessment modeling
- Credit bureau analysis
- ERP and accounting software
Other Activities Accomplishments
- Recognized for leadership excellence on driving growth and leading cross-functional teams at CARE Ratings.
- Set-up Credit function (product, policy, processes) for Institutional Lending desk at Mahindra Finance.
- Member of POSH Committee at TMFL (10/01/24 to 04/30/25).
- Part of team at Mahindra Finance for CMMI Level 3 certification.
Certification
Credit Tech, Coin offering and Crowdfunding from University of Michigan in 2025
Timeline
Vice President - NCH - Payment Solutions Group (PSG)
Tata Capital Ltd
05.2025 - Current
Vice President - Head Credit - Corporate Lending Group
Tata Motors Finance Ltd
01.2022 - 05.2025
National Credit Manager - Institutional Lending
Mahindra Finance
10.2017 - 09.2021
DGM - SME and Institutional Lending - Credit / Risk
Mahindra Finance
10.2016 - 12.2021
National Credit Manager - SME Business Enterprises
Mahindra Finance
10.2016 - 09.2017
AGM - Group Head - Large & Mid Corporate Ratings
CARE Ratings Ltd
01.2007 - 10.2016
MBA - Finance & IB
NMIMS University
B. Com -
Mumbai University
Certification in Blockchain & Cryptocurrency -
University of Michigan
Certification in Future of Payment Technologies -
University of Michigan
Certification in Lease Finance -
CRISIL
Certification in Credit Tech -
University of Michigan