Quick Read
- Senthil Kumar is appointed Chief Risk Officer (CRO) at Huntington National Bank, effective February 16, 2026.
- Kumar previously served as CRO at BNY Mellon and held leadership roles at Citigroup, bringing over 25 years of risk management experience.
- He replaces Helga Houston, who will transition to Senior Executive Advisor.
- The appointment coincides with Huntington’s strategic growth, including recent acquisitions of Cadence Bank and Veritex Holdings.
- Huntington’s assets now total $279 billion, with approximately 1,400 branches and plans for further expansion.
COLUMBUS (Azat TV) – Huntington National Bank has named Senthil Kumar as its new Chief Risk Officer (CRO), a pivotal appointment set to take effect on February 16, 2026. This strategic leadership change arrives as Huntington navigates a period of aggressive expansion and aims to fortify its risk management framework amidst an increasingly complex global economic environment.
Kumar will succeed Helga Houston, who will transition into a new role as Senior Executive Advisor, providing strategic guidance to Huntington’s leadership team. The move underscores Huntington’s commitment to robust risk governance, especially following recent significant acquisitions that have reshaped its operational scale and market presence.
Senthil Kumar’s Extensive Experience Bolsters Huntington’s Risk Profile
Senthil Kumar brings over 25 years of extensive experience in risk management, a background deemed critical for Huntington’s forward-looking strategy. His career includes prominent roles at major financial institutions such as BNY Mellon, where he served as Chief Risk Officer, and Citigroup, where he spent 15 years in various leadership capacities managing diverse risk portfolios across multiple regions. This wealth of expertise is expected to significantly enhance Huntington’s existing risk culture.
In his new role as CRO, Kumar will oversee a broad spectrum of risk functions, including credit risk, operational risk, market risk, and regulatory compliance. Huntington CEO Steve Steinour expressed strong confidence in Kumar’s appointment, emphasizing his proven track record in facilitating innovation while safeguarding financial stability, as reported by El-Balad and Filmogaz.
Strategic Growth and Acquisitions Drive Leadership Shift
Kumar’s appointment is strategically timed with Huntington’s recent growth trajectory. The bank recently completed the acquisition of Cadence Bank, a move that increased its total assets to $279 billion and expanded its branch network to approximately 1,400 locations. This acquisition is also expected to contribute 1.5 million new customers to Huntington’s base. Additionally, the bank finalized another acquisition, Veritex Holdings, in October 2023, further solidifying its market position.
The bank is not slowing its expansion, with plans to open 20 to 25 new branches in North and South Carolina. This aggressive growth strategy necessitates a fortified risk management framework, making Kumar’s deep experience in navigating large-scale financial operations and regulatory landscapes particularly valuable.
Navigating a Volatile Economic Landscape
The banking sector globally is facing a period of heightened volatility, characterized by fluctuating interest rates, tightening regulatory environments, and potential fallout from geopolitical tensions. Effective risk management has become more critical than ever for financial institutions looking to adapt and thrive amidst uncertainty. Huntington’s decision to elevate an experienced risk professional like Kumar signals its proactive stance in addressing these challenges.
The implications of Kumar’s leadership are expected to extend beyond Columbus, Ohio, influencing the bank’s operations across North America and potentially impacting its international relationships. Enhanced regulatory compliance and the introduction of sophisticated risk assessment tools are among the projected outcomes under his guidance, aiming to strengthen Huntington’s competitive edge and attract businesses seeking stability.
For 2026, Huntington anticipates revenue growth between 11% and 14%, alongside projected expense growth of 10% to 11%. The bank’s ability to manage these financial projections effectively will be closely tied to the strength of its risk governance under Kumar’s leadership.
Senthil Kumar’s appointment as Chief Risk Officer reflects Huntington Bank’s calculated effort to align its executive leadership with its ambitious growth strategy, proactively addressing the complex financial risks inherent in an expanding enterprise within a challenging global economic climate.