Religare Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited (RHDFCL) has appointed Pankaj Rathi as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO), reinforcing its leadership team as it accelerates growth in India’s affordable housing segment.
The appointment comes at a critical time as RHDFCL focuses on expanding access to homeownership for underserved and informal-sector families across urban and semi-urban India.
Strategic Leadership to Drive Financial Growth
In his new role, Pankaj Rathi will focus on strengthening RHDFCL’s financial foundation and enabling scalable growth. His key priorities include:
- Building a diversified and cost-efficient funding base
- Ensuring strong capital adequacy
- Maintaining disciplined balance sheet management
- Strengthening financial governance and compliance frameworks
He will also ensure adherence to regulatory guidelines set by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the National Housing Bank (NHB).
Leadership Perspective
Indranil Choudhury, Group Chief Human Resources Officer at Religare Enterprises Limited, highlighted that Rathi’s experience in scaling housing finance businesses and managing complex capital structures makes him well-suited for the role.
He added that the appointment will strengthen RHDFCL’s financial capabilities as it enters its next phase of growth.
Strong Background in Housing Finance and Capital Markets
Before joining RHDFCL, Pankaj Rathi served as CFO of Grihum Housing Finance Limited, where he played a key role in managing financial operations during multiple ownership transitions.
During his tenure, he successfully raised over $1.3 billion in funding through diverse instruments, including:
- Term loans
- Bonds and non-convertible debentures (NCDs)
- Portfolio assignments
- Structured finance instruments like PTC and RMBS
He also led initiatives to improve credit ratings during periods of organisational change.
Extensive Experience Across Financial Institutions
Rathi brings over 15 years of experience in banking and financial services, having worked with leading organisations such as:
- Xander Finance
- JM Financial
- Ernst & Young
- PwC
His expertise spans financial reporting, regulatory compliance, fundraising, taxation, and business strategy.
Recognition and Achievements
A Chartered Accountant and Company Secretary, Rathi has received multiple accolades, including:
- Leading CFO of the Year – BFSI (FY24) by the Confederation of Indian Industry
- Recognition among “40 Under 40 Business Leaders (2025)” by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
Company Vision and Growth Outlook
RHDFCL aims to expand its footprint in India’s affordable housing finance market by focusing on underserved segments. With increasing demand for housing finance in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, the company is positioning itself for long-term growth.
Pankaj Rathi’s appointment is expected to play a crucial role in:
- Strengthening financial stability
- Supporting expansion plans
- Enhancing stakeholder value
Industry Outlook
India’s housing finance sector is witnessing steady growth, driven by government initiatives, urbanisation, and rising demand from informal-sector workers. Companies like RHDFCL are focusing on financial inclusion and sustainable lending models to capture this opportunity.
