Columbus, Ohio, February 8, 2026 – Huntington Bank has announced the appointment of Senthil Kumar as its new chief risk officer, effective February 16. Kumar, who previously served as the top risk officer at BNY, will replace Helga Houston, who is set to transition into the role of senior executive adviser on March 1.
This strategic move comes as Huntington prepares to navigate a more stringent regulatory environment after its assets surged past $250 billion, maturing into the Category III regulatory tier. This status entails tougher liquidity requirements and more rigorous capital standards, as well as increased scrutiny during Federal Reserve stress tests. The bank’s enhanced responsibilities also include maintaining a robust “living will,” which is essential for managing potential financial distress without destabilizing the broader financial system.
Huntington’s recent merger with Cadence Bank, completed on February 2, has positioned it as a significant player in the sector, raising its total assets to approximately $279 billion. CEO Steve Steinour hailed the merger as a vital starting point for growth, particularly in Texas and the southern markets, while assuring that no Cadence branches would close ahead of a scheduled system integration in mid-2026.
Kumar brings with him an impressive 25 years of risk management experience, having previously managed operational, market, compliance, and credit risks at BNY. His extensive background includes senior risk management roles at Citigroup and Samba Financial Group, making him well-equipped to bolster Huntington’s risk management framework as the bank embarks on this new chapter.
Helga Houston has played an influential role in shaping Huntington’s corporate risk approach since joining in 2011. Her management has been instrumental during challenging times and her new position is expected to leverage her insights for the bank’s executive strategy.
The dual transition of leadership within the risk management sector comes at a crucial time, as the bank seeks to strategically balance growth with risk mitigation in a complex regulatory landscape. The bank’s ability to integrate its recent acquisition while adhering to heightened compliance demands will be critical for sustainable success.
Despite the adjustments and added pressures, Huntington’s shares saw a 1.3% increase on Friday, reflecting market confidence in the bank’s direction under new leadership.