Edelweiss ARC appoints ex-SBICAP chief Arun Mehta as CEO amid push into retail, MSME asset resolution

Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Company (EARC) has appointed veteran banker and former SBI Capital Markets (SBICAP) managing director and chief executive officer Arun Mehta as its MD & CEO, with the Reserve Bank of India approving his appointment for a five-year term.

Mehta brings more than four decades of experience in banking, financial services and capital markets, having spent much of his career with State Bank of India after joining the country's largest lender in 1985. During his tenure, he held leadership positions across corporate banking, international banking, structured finance, loan syndication, equity capital markets and debt capital markets, including an overseas stint in Hong Kong.

He most recently served as MD and CEO of SBICAP, SBI's investment banking arm, and has also held positions such as non-executive chairman of SBICAP Securities, SBI Ventures and SBICAP Trustee Company. He has additionally served on the boards of financial institutions including Axis Trustee Services, IDBI Capital Markets & Securities, DSP Finance and Investec Capital Services (India).

Mehta succeeds Mythili Balasubramanian, who served as interim MD and CEO until September 2025. Prior to that, R.K. Bansal led the company for more than a decade and played a key role in establishing Edelweiss ARC as one of India's leading asset reconstruction companies.

Retail, MSME opportunity in focus

The appointment comes at a time when India's stressed asset resolution landscape is undergoing a shift beyond large corporate insolvency cases.

Edelweiss ARC said new opportunities are emerging across retail and MSME stressed assets, alongside increasing demand for specialised resolution, servicing and fee-based businesses. The company said its own portfolio reflects this transition.

During FY26, Edelweiss ARC acquired retail assets worth ₹1,363 crore. The share of retail assets in its capital employed rose to 29% in FY26 from 18% a year earlier, stressing the growing importance of the segment within its business mix.

The company said it is focused on strengthening its resolution capabilities across both wholesale and retail assets while transitioning towards a more capital-efficient and fee-based operating model. Mehta's experience in corporate banking, structured finance and capital markets is expected to support these strategic priorities.

Recovery performance strengthens

Edelweiss ARC highlighted its track record in the stressed asset resolution business, reporting cumulative recoveries of ₹66,210 crore over the last 10 years as of FY26.

Recoveries during FY26 stood at ₹8,590 crore, marking a 50% increase from the previous year, the company said.

The asset reconstruction company said it has been involved in some of India's largest and most complex stressed asset resolution cases and continues to work with banks and financial institutions on recovery, resolution and capital recycling initiatives.