Anto George T has introduced role-based compliance training, tailoring programs to meet the specific compliance requirements of branch managers, operations staff, and customer-facing employees
Insights from Anto George T, COO & Head HR, South Indian Bank:
Ravi Lalwani: What are the most common queries or actions that CEO/CXOs come to HR with regarding regulatory compliance?
Anto George T: Regulatory compliance is of utmost priority at South Indian Bank, and the CEO and CXOs frequently seek guidance from HR, especially as employment laws continue to evolve. Their common queries revolve around several key areas, including whether the bank is compliant with local and national labor laws, whether HR policies and governance are fully aligned with regulations, and whether payroll practices adhere to minimum wage, overtime, and equal pay laws. Additionally, they seek assurance that employee benefits are legally compliant, that the bank adheres to employee data privacy laws, and that internal complaints or harassment claims are being handled appropriately.
Another critical aspect is ensuring that disciplinary regulations and actions strictly follow the guiding principles of natural justice while also meeting health and safety regulations. Ethical conduct in HR operations remains a priority, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to integrity and fairness. Moreover, there is a strong emphasis on capacity building in essential operational areas such as risk, compliance, IT, credit, and treasury. HR plays a pivotal role in maintaining compliance while effectively balancing business goals, ensuring that regulatory obligations and strategic objectives are seamlessly aligned.
What policies or practices have you put in place to facilitate compliance?
At South Indian Bank, compliance is embedded within the organizational framework as one of the core pillars of operational excellence. The bank has implemented structured policies and practices to cultivate a culture of compliance across all business functions. A key policy is the integration of business generation and compliance, ensuring that growth initiatives are aligned with regulatory mandates. The bank has also cultivated a compliance-first culture by incorporating compliance into performance scorecards, reinforcing accountability at all levels.
Policy standardization has been another significant initiative, where employment contracts, performance evaluation criteria, and workforce policies are continuously reviewed and updated to reflect the latest regulatory changes. Additionally, the compliance team works closely with business units to identify and address any gaps in policy adherence while providing strategic inputs to ensure alignment with regulatory norms. This structured approach has strengthened the bank’s ability to navigate complex regulatory requirements while maintaining operational efficiency.
What training programs has the bank undertaken lately to boost compliance?
Over the past few years, South Indian Bank has rolled out comprehensive training programs aimed at strengthening compliance awareness among employees at all levels. The Learning and Development (L&D) department has led these efforts, ensuring that compliance-related training is integrated into the broader learning framework. A significant number of training sessions have been conducted specifically on compliance-related topics, including Anti-Money Laundering (AML), data privacy, and customer protection. The bank has also introduced role-based compliance training, tailoring programs to meet the specific compliance requirements of branch managers, operations staff, and customer-facing employees.
Additionally, regular in-person and e-learning sessions have been conducted to brief employees on regulatory changes and their implications for business operations. Employees are required to complete mandatory compliance assessments – this reinforces accountability and ensures that learning translates into practical adherence.
The L&D department has also implemented periodic refresher courses and scenario-based training, ensuring that employees are well-prepared to handle real-world compliance challenges. This has significantly improved compliance awareness, resulting in a more informed and compliance-ready workforce.
What trends do you expect in people moving from other departments such as business, operations, technology, etc, into compliance and vice versa?
Compliance is no longer a standalone function – it is now a critical element embedded across all areas of banking operations. As the regulatory environment becomes more complex, cross functional mobility into compliance roles has become a key trend at South Indian Bank. Beyond routine compliance monitoring, there is a rising demand for strategic compliance professionals who can interpret regulatory trends and implement new compliance models. The growing integration of technology into compliance processes has further accelerated this shift. With increasing automation in operations, employees skilled in compliance-related technological tools and frameworks are in high demand.
Employees with business and operations experience are well-positioned to transition into compliance roles, where they can apply their operational understanding alongside regulatory knowledge. Furthermore, compliance is now seen as a crucial component of professional development, encouraging employees to view compliance not as a separate function but as an integral part of their core responsibilities. This shift has resulted in a seamless compliance culture across the organization.
What special efforts has HR undertaken to facilitate compliance?
The HR team at South Indian Bank has taken strategic steps to strengthen compliance adherence across the workforce. One of the key initiatives has been the integration of compliance into the performance management system, making compliance a key metric in employee performance evaluations. This ensures that employees at all levels are assessed not only on business performance but also on regulatory adherence.
To reinforce the importance of compliance, the HR team has introduced focused communication strategies, including regular circulars, newsletters, and training sessions to keep employees informed about regulatory changes and their impact on business operations. Beyond structured training, periodic refresher sessions and scenario-based assessments are conducted to enhance learning and practical application. The Compliance Department plays a vital role in guiding employees on regulatory concerns, ensuring swift issue resolution while maintaining regulatory standards.
To further strengthen compliance, the bank has appointed Compliance Officers in all business units and offices, ensuring dedicated oversight and adherence at every level. These collective efforts have helped cultivate a strong compliance culture, where regulatory adherence is viewed as a shared responsibility across the organization.
What is the current strength of the company’s regulatory compliance team? What changes have been made over the last 12 months?
South Indian Bank has a well-structured Compliance Department that works closely with other business verticals to ensure enterprise-wide regulatory adherence. Over the past year, the bank has significantly enhanced its compliance framework through strategic staffing and process improvements.
A key milestone has been the establishment of the Branch Operations Vertical (BOV), which provides centralized support and compliance monitoring for branch-level operations. The BOV collaborates with regional offices and branches to address compliance-related concerns, ensuring uniform regulatory adherence across all locations.
Additionally, the bank has introduced new roles within the compliance team, focusing on strategic compliance monitoring and regulatory reporting. The compliance team has been expanded to improve coverage and provide specialized support to business units and branches. To further streamline compliance, the Bank has deployed automated tools for AML compliance monitoring and reporting, reducing manual effort while improving efficiency and accuracy. These enhancements have strengthened the Bank’s ability to respond swiftly to regulatory challenges, ensuring that compliance remains a cornerstone of operational excellence.