The seven posts of DMDs that have been lying vacant are DMD associate banks, chief corporate officer (CCO), DMD (inspection and audit), chief financial officer (CFO) besides the posts of managing directors at SBI Caps, State Bank of Mysore and State Bank of Patiala which are equivalent to the rank of a DMD.

Before taking over as chairman of the bank, GG Vaidya was holding the post of DMD associate banks while present managing director V Janakiraman was the chief credit officer (CCO). He succeded MP Radhakrishnan who was managing director (corporate accounts group) before becoming the bank's chairman for a few months.

The CFO's post has been lying vacant following the retirement of Parag Bhattacharjeewho stepped down on January 31. SBI Caps managing director AR Barwe retired last year. The State Bank of Mysore's MD post became vacant in January when SR Iyer moved to Mumbai. Iyer is slated to take over as MD (national banking) of the bank.

Sources said that the 17 CGM are in the race for the seven slots. Among them is the high profile SBI Capital chief Birendra Kumar, chief general manager of Calcutta circle and ex-CGM at SBI Caps PK Sarkar, CGM of Patna circle Chandan Bhattacharjee and MD at SBI Mutual Fund Naimatullah. CGM (special projects) Janaki Ballabh, CGM in charge of domestic treasury as well as the CGM in charge of the bank's insurance projects are also in the race.

According to SBI insiders, the portfolios of the existing DMDs are likely to be reshuffled after the seven DMDs are in place. Currently, at the central office, DP Roy looks after international banking while Y Radhakrishnan is the chief developement officer. The seniormost DMD is SK Mukherji who heads the State Bank of Bikaner andJaipur.