HDFC Bank vs Hitachi: Founders, CEOs and History
HDFC Bank was founded in 1994 by Hasmukhbhai Parekh and is led by Sashidhar Jagdishan. Hitachi was founded in 1910 by Namihei Odaira and is led by Toshiaki Tokunaga.
Company facts
Founders
HDFC Bank
Hasmukhbhai Parekh
Hasmukhbhai Thakordas (H.T.) Parekh founded Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) in 1977, at age 66, after a long career at ICICI.
Hitachi
Namihei Odaira
Hitachi possesses a historic, foundational founding story, rooted in the industrialization of early 20th-century Japan and driven by a nationalist obsession with technological independence.
CEOs and their tenures
HDFC Bank
- Aditya Puri1994–2020
Managing Director
Over 26 years as CEO, he built HDFC into India's largest and most highly valued private sector bank, maintaining pristine asset quality throughout multiple economic cycles.
Source - Sashidhar Jagdishan2020–present
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
Steered the bank through the RBI technology restrictions and the largest merger in Indian banking, while keeping gross NPAs near 1.2%.
Source - Atanu Chakraborty2021–2026
Part-time Chairman
Former Economic Affairs Secretary who chaired the board through the HDFC Ltd merger; resigned on March 18, 2026, citing ethical concerns. Keki Mistry served as interim chairman until Rajiv Kumar's appointment.
Source - Rajiv Kumar2026–present
Part-time Chairman
He managed the complex post-merger integration processes to ensure the massive combined loan book maintained strict asset quality.
Source
Hitachi
- Toshiaki Higashihara2016–2022
Former President and Chief Executive Officer
Shifted Hitachi from a sprawling conglomerate toward infrastructure and digital businesses.
Source - Keiji Kojima2022–2025
Executive Chairman (CEO 2022-2025)
Finished much of the portfolio cleanup and handed over a more focused group to Tokunaga.
Source - Toshiaki Tokunaga2025–present
President and Chief Executive Officer
Brings an energy and rail background to the top job as Hitachi Energy and Hitachi Rail drive more of the group's growth.
Source
Timeline: HDFC Bank and Hitachi side by side
1910Hitachi
Founding and First Induction Motor
Namihei Odaira establishes the machinery repair shop that becomes Hitachi, and develops Japan's first 5-horsepower induction motor, establishing the foundation for the company's dominance in electrical engineering.
1932Hitachi
Expansion into Railway Technology
Hitachi begins manufacturing electric locomotives and rail signaling systems, establishing a deep, institutionalized relationship with the Japanese national railway network that would evolve into the modern Hitachi Rail division.
1959Hitachi
Entry into Computing and Electronics
Hitachi develops its first electronic computer, the HITAC, marking the company's strategic entry into the information technology sector and laying the groundwork for its future digital systems business.
1994HDFC Bank
HDFC Bank Incorporated
HDFC Bank is incorporated as one of India's new private-sector banks.
1995HDFC Bank
Banking Operations Begin
The bank begins operations and builds a private-sector banking franchise.
2000HDFC Bank
Times Bank Merger
HDFC Bank merges with Times Bank, one of its early scale-building deals.
2016Hitachi
Toshiaki Higashihara becomes CEO
Toshiaki Higashihara became CEO of Hitachi in 2016. Shifted Hitachi from a sprawling conglomerate toward infrastructure and digital businesses.
2020HDFC Bank
Sashidhar Jagdishan Becomes CEO
Sashidhar Jagdishan succeeds Aditya Puri as managing director and CEO in October 2020.
2020Hitachi
Acquisition of ABB's Power Grids Business
Hitachi executes the $11 billion acquisition of ABB's Power Grids business, renaming it Hitachi Energy and instantly establishing the company as the global leader in HVDC transmission and grid infrastructure.
2021Hitachi
Acquisition of GlobalLogic
The company acquires the global digital engineering firm GlobalLogic for $9.6 billion, instantly establishing Hitachi as a top-tier provider of advanced software and product design services for the automotive and telecommunications sectors.
2022Hitachi
Hitachi Construction Machinery Stake Sale
Hitachi sold a controlling stake in Hitachi Construction Machinery to Itochu and Japan Industrial Partners, part of its exit from cyclical listed subsidiaries.
2023HDFC Bank
HDFC Ltd Merger Completed
HDFC Bank completes the merger with parent HDFC Ltd, creating a much larger banking balance sheet.
2024Hitachi
Acquired Thales Ground Transportation Systems
Hitachi acquired Thales Ground Transportation Systems. Hitachi Rail completed its ~$1.88 billion (EUR 1.66 billion) acquisition of Thales's Ground Transportation Systems business, its rail signalling division, expanding Hitachi Rail to 51 countries and shiftin…
2025Hitachi
Toshiaki Tokunaga Becomes CEO
Toshiaki Tokunaga became President and CEO on April 1, 2025, succeeding Keiji Kojima, who became Executive Chairman.
2026HDFC Bank
FY2025-26 Net Revenues Reach INR 1,91,218.60 Crore
HDFC Bank reports ~$22.2 billion (INR 1,91,218.60 crore) in net revenues and ~$8.66 billion (INR 74,671.30 crore) in profit after tax.
2026HDFC Bank
Rajiv Kumar Becomes Chairman
After Atanu Chakraborty resigned in March 2026, the RBI approved Rajiv Kumar as part-time chairman effective July 15, 2026.
2026Hitachi
Record Results and Home Appliance Sale
Hitachi reported record FY2025 profit in April 2026 and agreed to sell 80.1% of its home appliance business to Nojima for about $737 million (¥110 billion).
Acquisitions
HDFC Bank
- HDFC Ltd. (Reverse Merger)2023Undisclosed
- Centurion Bank of Punjab2008Undisclosed
Hitachi
- Thales Ground Transportation Systems2024Undisclosed
- GlobalLogic2021Undisclosed
- ABB Power Grids2020Undisclosed
Questions about HDFC Bank vs Hitachi
Who is the CEO of HDFC Bank Limited and Hitachi, Ltd.?
HDFC Bank Limited is led by Sashidhar Jagdishan and Hitachi, Ltd. is led by Toshiaki Tokunaga. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was HDFC Bank Limited founded vs Hitachi, Ltd.?
Hitachi, Ltd. was founded in 1910 — 84 years before HDFC Bank Limited, which was founded in 1994. Hitachi, Ltd.'s longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger HDFC Bank Limited.
How many employees does HDFC Bank Limited have compared to Hitachi, Ltd.?
HDFC Bank Limited employs approximately 211,178 people, while Hitachi, Ltd. employs approximately 287,901. Hitachi, Ltd. has the larger workforce at 287,901 employees, compared to HDFC Bank Limited's 211,178. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are HDFC Bank Limited and Hitachi, Ltd. headquartered?
HDFC Bank Limited is headquartered in India and Hitachi, Ltd. is headquartered in Japan. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded HDFC Bank Limited and Hitachi, Ltd.?
HDFC Bank Limited was founded by Hasmukhbhai Parekh. Hitachi, Ltd. was founded by Namihei Odaira.
Which company has a longer operating history — HDFC Bank Limited or Hitachi, Ltd.?
Hitachi, Ltd. has been operating for approximately 116 years, making it the more established of the two companies. HDFC Bank Limited has been in operation for around 32 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the HDFC Bank vs Hitachi overview