Emirates NBD Capital India Poised to Appoint Alok Malpani as First India CEO
Emirates NBD Capital India Private Limited is moving forward with a key leadership appointment. The Dubai-based financial services giant's newly established investment banking arm in India will likely name Alok Malpani as its first Chief Executive Officer for the country. Two informed sources disclosed this development. They requested anonymity because they lack authorization to speak with the media.
A formal announcement could happen as early as this week. Both Emirates NBD and Alok Malpani have not provided immediate comments on the matter.
Dubai Bank's Strategic Push into the Indian Market
This leadership move aligns with Emirates NBD Bank's continued expansion efforts in India. The bank has been actively making inroads into the Indian financial landscape. A notable recent step includes a substantial three-billion-dollar investment to acquire a majority stake in RBL Bank.
Emirates NBD Bank first established its operations in India back in 2017. The institution applied for a crucial investment banking license in late 2025. Following that, it began the process of appointing key dealmakers, as reported by Bloomberg in October 2025.
Alok Malpani: A Banking Veteran with Deep Experience
Alok Malpani brings nearly three full decades of extensive banking experience to this potential role. He spent a significant portion of his career, almost ten years, with the French investment bank BNP Paribas. His tenure included important postings in both Paris and Mumbai.
During his time at BNP Paribas, Malpani advised on several high-profile transactions. One of the most notable deals was the massive thirty-billion-dollar merger between Arcelor and Mittal Steel.
After his long stint at BNP Paribas, Malpani had a brief period at Axis Capital. There, he served as the head of structured finance. He then transitioned to DAM Capital Advisors Limited in 2019. The firm was known as IDFC Securities Limited at that time.
In his role as a managing director at DAM Capital, Malpani advised on several significant transactions. His advisory work included the public market listings for JSW Cement and JSW Infra. He also played a key role in the sale of a promoter stake in Sterling & Wilson Renewable Energy Limited. That stake was sold to Reliance New Energy Solar by the Shapoorji Pallonji Group.
Leading a New Team in a Rebounding Market
If appointed, Alok Malpani will lead a team of approximately fifty professionals at Emirates NBD Capital India. The flagship financial services group from Dubai is establishing its India office at a strategic time. Deal-making activity in the country has seen a noticeable rebound despite rising global volatility linked to US sanctions.
Investment banking fees in India reached a record high in 2025. According to data from the London Stock Exchange Group cited by Mint, fees totaled one point five billion dollars.
Equity deals generated the largest share of these fees, contributing about six hundred fifty-one point eight million dollars. Mergers and acquisitions deals followed, bringing in three hundred ninety-one point three million dollars. On the debt side, investment banks earned two hundred thirty-two point five million dollars from bond deals. Loan syndications added another two hundred twenty-seven million dollars to the total fee pool.
The appointment of a seasoned leader like Alok Malpani signals Emirates NBD's serious commitment to capturing a share of this active and lucrative Indian investment banking market.
