“Changing the promoter’s stake to a Non-operative Monetary Holding Firm (NOFHC) is a precondition for the license, as per the RBI’s in-principle approval,” stated Agarwal, MD, AU Small Finance Financial institution. “I maintain round 22% of the financial institution, in order that total holding must be in that construction. I really feel that construction is much better for me as a result of it permits me to experiment on the opposite facet of economic providers too.”
Agarwal acknowledged there could also be some tax implications from the conversion however expressed confidence in finishing the transition forward of schedule.
“We’ve 18 months, however it is going to occur sooner, and we are going to change into common,” he stated. “This license removes challenges for individuals on the bottom and permits us to give attention to enterprise. It’s a validation by a regulator like RBI and sends a robust message that this financial institution is secure.”
Agarwal stated the lender will proceed to focus totally on retail loans. He added that reasonably than competing instantly with bigger non-public sector banks, AU will function within the NBFC house.
“I’ve been a retail asset man all my life. We’re good in retail finance, mortgage finance, private loans, bank cards, and SME lending. We must always stick with our strengths and have a look at company finance solely when now we have a bigger steadiness sheet. It will likely be a gradual transformation,” he stated.On considerations about focus threat in Rajasthan, the place almost 30% of the financial institution’s enterprise originates—Agarwal stated the share has been decreasing steadily and can finally fall to fifteen%.“Once we began, 80% of our enterprise got here from Rajasthan. That’s now all the way down to 30% in eight years. Within the subsequent ten years, AU won’t have greater than 15% publicity in any state,” he stated.
HR Khan, former deputy governor of the RBI and chairman of the financial institution, stated decreasing each product and geographic focus stays a precedence for the board.
“The board and the danger administration committee have made this a high agenda. Over time, focus in states the place we had bigger publicity has declined sharply. At this time we function in 21 states and 4 union territories,” Khan stated.
As of June 2025, AU Small Finance Financial institution had a deposit base of Rs 1.27 lakh crore, an asset base of Rs 1.17 lakh crore, and a complete steadiness sheet measurement of Rs 1.62 lakh crore.