When Tisa Bank brought in Saamrat Dutta to lead its strategic objectives, it wasn’t just making a hire - it was placing a strategic bet on a leader known for steering transformation even in the most complex environments.
Saamrat carries with him over 25 years of international banking and fintech experience, but what truly sets him apart is his instinctive ability to read situations, adjust course, and rally people around a shared mission. His favorite John Maxwell quote - “The leader adjusts the sails”- isn't just something he references; it is something he lives.
Saamrat’s career has spanned continents and contexts, from the emerging digital payment ecosystems of the UAE to the challenging, high-stakes banking environment of Afghanistan. Everywhere he has worked, he’s built a reputation as a visionary executor- a strategic thinker who doesn’t just craft ideas but has the grit, optimism, and operational discipline to turn them into results.
A Journey Defined by Resilience, Strategy & People
In his recent role as Chief Business Officer at iBnk in Dubai, Saamrat helped shape one of the region’s most disruptive B2B2C embedded finance platforms. Under his leadership, the company saw a 50% surge in marketplace merchant acquisition and significant expansion in both revenue and transaction volume. His ability to build partnerships across the UAE and globally became a key engine for the start-up’s momentum, reinforcing his reputation for bridging traditional finance with cutting-edge fintech models.
Before that, Saamrat spent nearly eight years at Azizi Bank in Afghanistan, where he wore multiple hats - COO, CMO, and Head of Business, Communications, and Financial Institutions. His tenure there is often described as a masterclass in leadership under pressure.
He led the bank through major internal and external challenges, overseeing:
- 300% deposit growth in five years,
- Expansion of international banking relationships,
- Regulatory alignment across risk, AML, and operational compliance,
- First-of-its-kind CSR initiatives in Afghanistan,
- Robust marketing and brand-building strategies that drove double-digit revenue growth.
His dual talent for operational rigor and storytelling—not just in marketing campaigns but also in inspiring teams - made him a central pillar of the bank’s evolution.
Even earlier, as Head of Marketing for Azizi Developments in Dubai, Saamrat demonstrated his ability to scale and energize teams. Leading 25 marketing professionals, he delivered campaigns that improved market acceptance, boosted lead generation, and strengthened the brand’s global presence.
The Leader Behind the Resume
Beyond titles, numbers, and milestones, Saamrat is grounded by his curiosity and his belief in possibility. He has traveled to more than 55 countries, experiences that sharpened his cultural intelligence and taught him the value of listening before leading.
His invitations to speak twice at the United Nations ECOSOC Summit in Geneva—addressing sustainable development goals and leadership empowerment—reflect the depth of thought and global perspective he brings to the table.
Colleagues describe Saamrat as:
- Energetic yet composed,
- Ambitious yet empathetic,
- Analytical yet deeply human in his approach,
- A leader who earns loyalty through clarity, integrity, and conviction.
He draws energy from music, strong black coffee, films, and meaningful conversations—reminders that even the most seasoned executives remain students of life.
At Tisa Bank: A New Chapter of Strategic Expansion
In his new mandate at Tisa Bank, Saamrat is responsible for elevating the institution’s corporate and institutional footprint, strengthening the brand’s visibility, and driving digital and strategic transformation across the bank. His KPIs reflect the scale of trust placed in him—portfolio growth, risk management, stakeholder engagement, product innovation, and integrated communications.
But for Saamrat, this role isn’t just about targets. It’s about building something enduring, creating alliances that expand opportunity, and shaping a bank culture that embraces ambition with purpose.
A Simple Mission
Saamrat often sums up his outlook in two words: “Be Amazing.”
Not flawless, not perfect—just relentlessly committed to improvement and impact.
Tisa Bank sees in him exactly that: a leader who doesn’t just chase growth, but designs it- thoughtfully, boldly and with a human touch.
