A financier with talent
KBank has seen a lot of transformation under the helm of Kattiya Indaravijaya, who has been the institution's CEO since April 2020.
Among the most important achievements has been the evolution of digital banking services that respond to the present lifestyle and business needs with the aim of elevating customers’ quality of life. The bank is known to have played a leading role in using new technologies for its customers' benefit, launching an array of products and services for all customer segments, while striving to assist those with limited access to financial services.
Joining the company in 1987, Ms Kattiya has ensured KBank is at the forefront of digital banking in Thailand, as evidenced by the number of K PLUS users — now exceeding 16.3 million — the highest in the Thai market.
During the Covid-19 pandemic where the majority of businesses faced challenges and crises, Ms Kattiya managed the bank's operations efficiently. With the development of a long-term sustainable business plan, KBank was recognised as the best performing bank in Thailand in 2020, gaining many accolades including "Bank of the Year 2021" from Money And Banking magazine, "Best Bank 2021" from FinanceAsia and Asiamoney magazines, "Thailand’s Top Corporate Brand Values" from the Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy, Chulalongkorn University for four consecutive years, and "Best Retail Bank" from The Asian Banker journal for 12 consecutive years.
KBank is the first commercial bank in Thailand to have announced initiative measures to help Covid-19-stricken customers so that their businesses can stay afloat. Concurrently, KBank has devised strategies to ensure that its clients can operate their businesses under the “new normal” environment in a sustainable manner through an array of projects. Among them are the “Zero Interest-rate Loan to Retain SME Staff”, “Generous (Business) OwnersEmpathic Creditor”, “Special Stipend for Front-line Medical Personnel”, the “You Order, We Pay” campaign to aid cash-strapped small restaurants, as well as other projects in collaboration with the government and the Bank of Thailand. The bank also has made cash donations for the purchase of medical equipment.
Ms Kattiya has led KBank according to the principles of a "Bank of Sustainability", with the strategy of achieving growth and creating sustainable long-term returns, and utilising sustainable development practices. KBank is the first and only Asean bank included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for five consecutive years and the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for three years running, while also being selected to be on the Thailand Sustainability Investment list by the Stock Exchange of Thailand for five years. Moreover, KBank is the only Thai commercial bank to be a signatory to the Principles for Responsible Banking of the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative.