Sarma, citing personal reasons and a planned move back to Mumbai, will step down effective July 15, 2025. Rao, citing personal commitments and his inability to relocate to Mangaluru, will exit by July 31, 2025.
In response, the Board has formed a Search Committee to scout for suitable successors for both leadership roles. To ensure operational continuity, the bank has appointed a senior banker as Chief Operating Officer (COO), who will assume charge from July 2, 2025, pending regulatory approval.
The twin resignations of key leadership figures in quick succession have raised concerns among investors, triggering a sharp sell-off in the stock. The focus now shifts to the bank’s succession planning and interim management stability as the market awaits further clarity on new appointments.
Technical Outlook & Valuation Snapshot: Karnataka Bank
Karnataka Bank shares are trading at Rs 192, marking a 7.30% decline from the previous close of Rs 207.91, reflecting bearish sentiment in Monday’s session.
From a technical perspective, the stock is showing signs of negative momentum. It is currently trading below 7 out of 8 key Simple Moving Averages (SMAs) — including the 5-day to 200-day averages — except the 100-day SMA, where it remains marginally above. This trend suggests potential weakness in near-to-medium-term price action.
The Relative Strength Index (RSI-14) stands at 59.7, indicating a neutral zone. An RSI below 30 typically signals an oversold condition, while a reading above 70 suggests overbought territory.
On the valuation front, the stock appears undervalued. Karnataka Bank is currently trading at a Price-to-Earnings (PE) ratio of 5.73, compared to its 5-year average PE of 6.3. The forward PE, based on analyst estimates, is projected at 6.0, indicating potential upside if earnings meet expectations.
Overall, while technical indicators suggest caution in the short term, valuations remain attractive for longer-term investors tracking earnings stability and potential leadership transitions.