Travelogue 2: My recollections meeting 100+ Top Retail & Central bank leaders

Travelogue #2

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of travelling to Washington, D.C., for the Global Banker’s Awards, which celebrate the best and brightest among central and commercial banks. Although I often visit New York, it had been a while since I last explored D.C., and I was pleasantly surprised. The seamless journey from LaGuardia Airport to Reagan National Airport, especially with TSA PreCheck, made for a smooth travel experience. The weather was beautiful—just right for such a prestigious event.

The next morning, the awards ceremony honored some of the finest in banking, including 3 A+ Central Bank Governors, 7 A-grade Governors, and other top Central Bankers. Additionally, the event recognized global institutions, including the best in Islamic finance and the world’s safest banks. As an Indian, I felt an immense sense of pride when our RBI Governor received the A+ award for the second year in a row. The entire hall erupted in a standing ovation as his name was announced—a powerful acknowledgement of the RBI’s cutting-edge contributions to global finance.

Reflecting on the event, I couldn’t help but feel proud that 60% of the awardees were our current clients, and 10% were prospective clients with whom we’re actively engaging. For Intellect, a 30-year-old Indian company, this is a monumental achievement. Competing alongside the best in the world, we’re not only making our mark but also creating a legacy in financial services.

Proud moments like these inspire us all as business leaders, as we navigate the pressures of revenue growth, cost management, and the relentless rhythm of quarterly targets, especially in a public-listed environment.

Leaving you with a few pictures from the event—enjoy!

Author – Rajesh Saxena – CEO, iGCB, Intellect Design Arena

Banking leader with over 35 years of experience in retail banking including distribution, digital banking, and branch banking with special expertise in credit cards, Personal loans, and other unsecured lendings. Prior to joining Intellect, Rajesh, was the CEO of American Express, India, and was responsible for running the credit card business in India. Prior to AMEX, he worked with Citibank for 19 years across geographies in various banking roles with the last 10 years spent in managing product and country P&L’s.