What inspired you to pursue this career?
I was born and raised in New Delhi, India, in a home where intellectual curiosity was a way of life. My father, an engineer, and my mother, a professor of architecture, instilled in me a deep respect for analytical thinking and creative problem-solving. From an early age, I was drawn to mathematics, not just for its precision but for the way it revealed patterns and structure in the world around me. This passion led me to pursue a degree in mathematics with a minor in economics at Delhi University. While I initially considered a career in academia, I soon realized that my interests leaned more toward the applied side of these disciplines. I became fascinated by how mathematical models and economic theory could be used to solve real-world problems, especially in the world of finance.
My curiosity deepened as I read books like Liar’s Poker, Barbarians at the Gate and When Genius Failed. While these stories often highlighted the excesses of Wall Street, what resonated with me was the intellectual rigor and strategic thinking that finance demands. I saw in it the perfect intersection of my two academic passions.
Determined to build a career in this field, I pursued a master’s degree in finance at Boston College, drawn by its strong curriculum and renowned faculty, including Professor Alan J. Marcus, co-author of the seminal textbook Investments. This experience solidified my foundation in financial theory and practice and set me on a path where I could apply analytical thinking to drive meaningful outcomes.
Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to work with marquee institutions such as Citizens Bank, JP Morgan and Citi. Today, I continue to be motivated by the challenge of making complex decisions under uncertainty and by the opportunity to contribute to Mid Penn, an organization that values integrity, insight and impact.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
Over the course of my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work at marquee banks in a variety of roles and responsibilities. The most rewarding moments have not been tied to compensation but to the impact I’ve been able to make, whether it was managing an investment portfolio during the financial crisis, overseeing interest rate risk profiles in volatile markets, or designing capital stress scenarios for the investment bank at JP Morgan. These experiences have shaped my belief that finance, at its best, is about resilience, foresight and stewardship.
Today, I feel incredibly privileged to help guide Mid Penn as it grows into a $10 billion-plus institution. My journey has been driven by a passion for applied finance, a commitment to excellence, and a deep sense of purpose in helping organizations navigate complexity and unlock value.
What’s a recent project you’re really proud of?
There have been a few of them. The one I would like to mention is balance sheet optimization at Mid Penn Bank. The strategy included prepaying high-cost long-term FHLB borrowings and increasing reliance on lower cost core deposits and synthetic brokered CDs. Excess cash was invested into higher-yielding fixed-rate MBS paper. The annualized savings from this optimization will be approximately $5 million over one year.
How has your role evolved since you started?
In the past year, my role has expanded beyond traditional Treasury functions. I’ve begun working closely with our deposit franchise to ensure that large municipal deposits are appropriately priced, balancing relationship value with risk and return. I’ve also engaged directly with municipal treasurers to articulate the benefits of banking with Mid Penn Bank. These conversations have reinforced my belief that trust, transparency and tailored solutions are at the heart of successful banking relationships.
The post Team Member Spotlight: Vikram Dasgupta appeared first on Mid Penn Bank.
