India’s biggest private-sector bank is expected to appoint a search firm this week to help identify its next chief. The leadership transition matters beyond HDFC Bank: the systemically important lender accounts for roughly 12% of Indian bank deposits.

The search follows weaker share-price performance than peers and governance concerns among investors after its part-time chairman’s troubled departure in March. The incoming leader will face the task of reassuring investors about the bank’s stability while sustaining business growth.

Among internal contenders is Deputy Managing Director Kaizad Bharucha, who has spent three decades at the bank. His board service began in 2014, making the RBI’s 15-year cap for full-time directors a consideration. V. Rangan, responsible for HR and legal, and Chief Credit Officer Kaizad Tata are also mentioned. Age limits could constrain the tenure of some internal choices.

Outside names under discussion include former SBI chairman Dinesh Khara, Axis Bank CEO Amitabh Chaudhry, ICICI Group veteran Sandeep Bakhshi and Tata Capital CEO Rajiv Sabharwal. Some analysts question how easily Khara would adapt from public-sector banking to a private lender. The board is expected to prepare a shortlist for the RBI, which has the final approval role; no appointment has been announced.