In the 69th episode of Jam with Sam, we had the pleasure of speaking with Ravi Subramanian, a best-selling author, former banker, and financial thriller expert. Known as the “John Grisham of Banking”, Ravi has penned multiple thrillers based on the world of finance, crime, and corporate intrigue.
In this insightful conversation, he shares his journey from being a banker to a best-selling novelist, his views on India’s banking system, public sector scams, and how he unknowingly predicted a real-life financial scandal in his book!
From Ludhiana to IIM Bangalore: An Unconventional Journey
Born and raised in Ludhiana, Punjab, Ravi is one of the rare Tamilians who can fluently read and write Punjabi. He spent his childhood in a close-knit North Indian environment, balancing his South Indian roots with Punjabi culture—except for one thing: curd rice remained non-negotiable!
After schooling in Sacred Heart Convent, he pursued engineering in Bidar, Karnataka, where his father was a college principal. However, engineering wasn’t his true passion. It was only after joining IIM Bangalore that he found his footing in the corporate world.
Does an MBA Matter?
Ravi believes that while an MBA is a great career accelerator, it is not the ultimate formula for success. He explains:
- It gives you a passport to better jobs.
- It places you in a network of ambitious people.
- However, true success comes from hard work and adaptability, not just a degree.
Interestingly, if he were hiring today, he says he’d prefer a non-IIM graduate because they work harder and switch jobs less frequently.
From Banking to Best-Selling Author: The Accidental Thriller Writer
Ravi’s corporate career spanned roles at IBM, ANZ Grindlays, Citibank, DCB, HSBC, and Shriram Finance, where he specialized in consumer banking and SME lending.
However, his life took a dramatic turn in 2006 when he decided to write his first book, If God Was a Banker, a corporate thriller about ethics and corruption in the financial world. The book became an instant bestseller, and there was no looking back.
His Banking Experience in a Nutshell
- IBM: Realized he wasn’t cut out for technology.
- ANZ Grindlays: Became a branch manager, which was a big deal back then.
- Citibank: Handled mortgages and loans, but later quit as his wife joined a Citi group company—he didn’t want to work in the same firm.
- HSBC: Built their consumer finance division but later had to lay off 500-600 employees, which took an emotional toll on him.
- Shriram Finance: Currently heads their SME lending business, offering loans with and without collateral.
His real-life banking experiences inspired many of his books, including The Bankster, God is a Gamer, and Bankrupt.
Predicting a Real-Life Banking Scam in His Book!
One of the biggest coincidences of Ravi’s career was how his book, In the Name of God, unintentionally predicted the Nirav Modi-PNB banking scam.
The novel, based on the Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala, revolves around hidden vaults, temple wealth, and a series of murders linked to financial corruption.
In the book, he created a fictional diamond merchant named Nirav Chokshi. Shockingly, months after the book was released, the real-life Nirav Modi banking fraud surfaced, leading to a viral social media storm!
- TV channels and politicians tweeted about the book, questioning whether he had inside information.
- The Wall Street Journal, Asaduddin Owaisi, and Bollywood celebrities commented on the eerie resemblance.
- The book, which had been out for a year, suddenly shot to #1 on Amazon due to the controversy.
Ironically, this was the first book where he avoided banking as a theme, yet it landed him in a banking scandal discussion!
Thrillers, Banking, and The Dark Side of Finance
Ravi’s books combine real-world financial crimes, banking corruption, and corporate ethics with gripping storytelling. Some of his most famous works include:
- The Best Seller She Wrote
- His first romance-thriller hybrid.
- Explores the dark side of the publishing industry.
- Features a bestselling author caught in a scandalous affair.
- If God Was a Banker
- A story of two MBA graduates—one ethical, one corrupt—navigating the foreign banking world.
- Explores power, fraud, and corporate rivalry.
- Inspired by real-life events.
- The Bankster
- A thriller that combines jewelry smuggling, African diamond trade, and financial fraud.
- Features the mysterious Kundankulam nuclear power project scam.
- Introduces NGO frauds and their impact on banking.
- God is a Gamer
- The world’s first Bitcoin thriller.
- Covers topics like cyber fraud, ATM scams, and digital currency hacks.
- Inspired by real-life cybercrimes.
India’s Banking System: Rotten or Repairable?
Ravi has strong opinions about India’s banking sector:
- Are Public Sector Banks Corrupt?
- “They’re not rotten apples, but they’re definitely rotting.”
- Bureaucracy, lack of accountability, and job security without performance pressure are major issues.
- Are Private Banks Better?
- Many frauds also happen in private banks (e.g., HSBC scandals).
- They look polished but often have poor internal controls.
- In India, banking often works on “Ram Bharose” (blind trust).
- The Real Danger: Small, Unnoticed Frauds
- Everyone talks about Nirav Modi, but the bigger threat is thousands of smaller scams happening every day.
- Banks keep giving loans to defaulting customers to avoid showing Non-Performing Assets (NPAs).
Writing, Banking, and the Road Ahead
Ravi Subramanian’s journey from a banker to a bestselling author is proof that real-life experiences can create compelling stories. With his deep knowledge of finance, he has brought banking thrillers to mainstream Indian literature, making the world of loans, scams, and cybercrime exciting for readers.
His next book, Do Not Tell the Governor, revolves around the RBI and financial scandals, promising yet another gripping story inspired by India’s economic landscape.
Whether he’s predicting scams in his books or exposing the dark underbelly of finance, Ravi Subramanian remains one of India’s most intriguing thriller writers.
About Ravi Subramanian:
Ravi Subramanian is a best-selling author, banker, and financial expert. He has written multiple thrillers, including If God Was a Banker, The Bankster, and God is a Gamer. His books explore financial crime, cyber fraud, and corporate ethics. He is also a public speaker and finance industry veteran, currently heading the SME lending business at Shriram Finance.