Founded in 1996 by Sanjay Agarwal, AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB) became a scheduled commercial bank in 2017. Headquartered in Jaipur, AU has consistently focused on financial inclusion, serving Indiaโs underbanked segments.
Key Highlights as of June 30, 2025:
๐ฅ Customers: 1.16 crore
๐ฆ Banking Touchpoints: 2,505 across 21 states & 4 UTs
๐ผ Employees: 53,000+
๐ฐ Deposit Base: โน1.27 lakh crore
๐ณ Loan Portfolio: โน1.17 lakh crore
๐ Balance Sheet Size: โน1.60 lakh crore+
๐ CRISIL/ICRA/CARE Rating: โAA/Stableโ
๐ฒ Tech innovations: AU 0101 App, WhatsApp Banking, 24x7 Video Banking
This approval reflects:
AUโs strong corporate governance
Robust risk management
Track record of consistent growth
Digital and inclusive banking approach
๐น Full-spectrum banking: Retail, SME, Corporate & Digital
๐น Wider product suite and deeper customer engagement
๐น Access to cheaper capital and diversified deposits
๐น Improved cost of funds and potential NIM enhancement
๐น Greater competitive positioning with large private banks
๐ฎ๐ณ Indiaโs push towards formal banking, digital finance & inclusive growth continues.
๐น Regulatory flexibility now allows SFBs a pathway to grow bigger and compete with universal banks.
๐ฆ AUโs transition may open the door for other SFBs to follow suit (e.g., Ujjivan, Equitas).
๐ข Pros:
Higher ROE potential
Larger market share in retail & MSME
Strategic opportunity to reduce cost of capital
๐ด Risks:
Execution during transition phase
Regulatory hurdles post-approval
Maintaining asset quality during rapid expansion
โAU is not just a bank โ AU is a mission. This in-principle approval acknowledges not just our ability to grow, but to grow responsibly.โ
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