Connect with us

Alumni Speak

Having trouble managing your money? Learn it from the expert

Financial Services professional, Srishti Tanwar suggests, “Save, invest and choose wisely.”

Published

on

An alumna of Apeejay School, Pitampura, Srishti Tanwar, is currently leading the product launch at Revolut India. For the uninitiated, Revolut is a UK-based digital bank that is making waves in creating best-in-class financial solutions in India. Prior to this stint, Tanwar was heading the Cobrand Credit Cards vertical at HDFC Bank. In the following interview, she discusses how students and young professionals can plan their finances better. Read on, edited excerpts.

Please tell us about your educational background.

I completed class 12 from Apeejay, Pitampura in 2005. Then I pursued an engineering degree with specialisation in Information Technology from the prestigious Delhi Technological University. After this, I worked for about two years in the domain of Capital Markets. This was followed by attaining Management education from IIM Lucknow.

Why the shift from engineering to management?

While I was working in those two years, I realised that managing clients, strategising for the market, and developing products is something that intrigues me. A degree in management promised that opportunity and exposure, so I opted for it.

What went into the preparation for the Common Admission Test? 

I was working full-time and preparing for the exam simultaneously. My office was about 25 kilometers from home so I used to read up during the bus journey. The evening and night hours were extremely productive for me. With that, I made sure I took several mock tests to ace my skills. Further, I kept monitoring my performance, evaluated the weak areas and prepared for the exam. This went on for about six months till I cracked CAT in 2011.

What piqued your interest in the domain of financial services?

During college, I participated in several events and competitions related to the field. At that time, I had three options namely: Fast-Moving Consumer Goods, Consulting or Financial Services. Of the three, I chose the last one because I had prior background in it, with my stint with Genpact. Also, the sector was experiencing a big boom at that time. So, it just all fell into place.

We are a country with a low financial literacy rate. Why do you think that is the case?

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, a financial inclusion programme open to all aims to expand affordable access to financial services such as bank accounts, remittances, credit, insurance and pensions. It is a major step in the said direction, and I think we are slowly but surely getting there. Alongside, UPI has made life easier for many as people are preferring to go cashless. In my view, the rate of literacy in the financial domain will only increase if people have the ease of doing payments. So mobile-first is the way to go!

The banking sector is undergoing major transformation. What’s the next big thing according to you?

Banks are coming up with more mobile-friendly and digital solutions to help customers. Therefore, in the near future, the presence of physical banks may reduce.

How were years at Apeejay School, Pitampura?

I was in a different city in an all-girls school prior to Apeejay. So, enrolling here was a sea-change for me. Nonetheless, I learned to move out of my comfort zone and be part of a diverse environment. I still cherish the friends I made and how my classmates helped me at every step. The school taught me how change is the only constant! *laughs*

Mrini Devnani is a Principal Correspondent and Marketing Coordinator at Newsroom. She covers student achievements, conducts interviews, and contributes content to the website. Previously, she served as a Correspondent specialising in Edu-tech for the India Today Group. Her skill areas extend to Social Media and Digital Marketing. For any inquiries or correspondence, you can reach out to her at [email protected].

The Musical Interview with Anamika Jha

Trending