Huntington Appoints BNY Veteran as New Risk Chief

Huntington National Bank has appointed Senthil Kumar as its new Chief Risk Officer, strengthening its executive team with seasoned expertise. Kumar, who previously served as the Chief Risk Officer at BNY Mellon, will commence his role at Huntington on February 16.

Leadership Transition at Huntington

Kumar succeeds Helga Houston, who has been promoted to Senior Executive Adviser. Houston will support Huntington’s leadership on strategic initiatives during a critical period of growth.

Recent Acquisitions and Expansion

The timing of Kumar’s appointment aligns with Huntington’s strategic growth, highlighted by its recent acquisition of Cadence Bank. This deal, completed shortly before Kumar’s hiring, has increased Huntington’s total assets to $279 billion and expanded its branch network to approximately 1,400 locations. Additionally, the bank finalized another acquisition of Veritex Holdings in October 2023.

• Asset Growth: Huntington’s assets now total $279 billion.
• Branch Network: The bank operates about 1,400 branches.
• Cadence Acquisition: Expected to contribute 1.5 million new customers.
• Future Growth: Plans include opening 20 to 25 new branches in North and South Carolina.

Kumar’s Responsibilities and Experience

In his new role, Kumar will manage various risk functions including credit risk, operational risk, market risk, and compliance. His leadership is particularly relevant as Huntington transitions to a Category III bank, which entails higher liquidity requirements and rigorous stress testing by the Federal Reserve.

Kumar brings a wealth of experience, having spent nearly six years at BNY Mellon and 15 years at Citigroup, where he held leadership roles in risk management.

Future Outlook for Huntington

Huntington CEO Steve Steinour expressed enthusiasm about Kumar’s appointment, emphasizing his valuable experience and commitment to enhancing the bank’s risk management culture. The bank anticipates revenue growth between 11% and 14% in 2026, while managing expenses projected to grow by 10% to 11%.

As Huntington continues to integrate Cadence’s financial systems, the leadership team is focused on creating a seamless transition to support ongoing growth and innovation.