HDFC Bank, India’s largest private lender, is moving employees from backend operations to customer-facing roles, supported by internal AI improvements. Managing Director and CEO Sashidhar Jagdishan noted in the latest annual report that this strategy aims to boost worker productivity and better align the bank with its customer service goals. A key part of the AI strategy is the rollout of 'Neev,' a proprietary AI model built in-house to provide a single standard for AI projects. The bank is also using AI to improve dispute resolution and help frontline staff handle queries, while increasing cybersecurity spending against digital fraud. During the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, the bank opened 234 new branches, bringing its total network to 9,689 branches and digital banking units. Following the resignation of former Part-Time Chairman Atanu Chakraborty on March 18, 2026, citing governance concerns, an external investigation found the claims unsubstantiated. After an interim period led by Keki Mistry, the bank appointed Rajiv Kumar as the new Part-Time Chairman and Independent Director on June 29, 2026. Investors will monitor how these changes affect the bank's cost-to-income ratio and governance stability.