Small Finance Banks

SFB shares fall after Bihar passes Microfinance Bill 2026; analysts weigh

Small finance bank shares fell after Bihar passed a microfinance regulation Bill requiring state approval for loan disbursals. Analysts flag regulatory risk

Transition path for NBFCs to become universal banks may be in the offing

DFS to again meet on shadow banks next week

Small finance bank label a key hindrance for expansion, say experts

With clearer RBI norms, easing microfinance stress and digital-first models, small finance banks are set for steady growth and deeper reach among underserved customers

Suryoday SFB enters gold loan segment to scale secured lending portfolio

Suryoday Small Finance Bank has entered the gold loan segment, starting with Maharashtra

FD rates touch 8% at Small Finance Banks as returns outpace big lenders

Fixed deposits are back: Where savers can earn up to 8% in 2026

Best of BS Opinion: Fresh US tariffs could wipe out India's goods exports

Today's Best of BS Opinion covers US tariff threats linked to Russian oil, the Grok AI content debate, small finance banks' record, cracks in India's growth story, and a Cold War spy tale

Have SFBs really provided the breakthrough they were intended for?

While small finance banks are solvent and working well, we need to ask if there has been a breakthrough in stretching the inclusion agenda beyond MFIs

Small finance banks' Q2FY26 profit plunged 55% on rising credit cost

Rise in provisions & shrinking NII weigh on bottom-line

SFBs urge RBI to relax capital norms, shed 'small finance' tag | BFSI Summit 2025 | Banking sector

Small Finance Banks (SFBs) are keen to evolve into universal banks but seek regulatory flexibility and a relaxed path to capital adequacy norms

BFSI Summit: SFBs urge RBI to relax capital norms, shed 'small finance' tag

Chief executives of Small Finance Banks welcome move to allow them to transition to universal banks, but ask for glide path to lower capital adequacy norms vis-a-vis large banks

RBI denies approval for Dia Vikas Capital's 5% stake purchase in ESAF SFB

The central bank has refused approval for Dia Vikas Capital's proposed 5% stake purchase, prompting ESAF SFB's board to review its promoter scheme and next steps

Poll-bound Bihar tops home loan growth list at 16.3%: Equirus Securities

As of June 2025, home loans, according to the Equirus note, grew 12.8 per cent y-o-y to Rs 41.2 trillion, led by state-owned banks (+15.5 per cent y-o-y) and NBFCs / state finance banks

SFBs' Q1 net profit slumps 76% to ₹309 crore as credit costs rise

Small Finance Banks reported a 76 per cent drop in Q1 net profit as provisions surged and net interest income weakened, while gross NPAs jumped nearly 70 per cent year on year

BharatPe to double down on online payments after RBI licence approval

The push comes amid RBI's final licence approval and intensifying competition

Slice SFB aiming to close FY26 in black, not looking to raise any capital

Slice Small Finance Bank has turned profitable on a monthly basis and is aiming to close FY26 in the black, a top official has said. The entity, which came out of a surprising merger between the fintech Slice and the North East SFB a few months ago, is adequately capitalised and not looking to raise any capital, its executive director Rajan Bajaj told PTI. The current focus is to build a pan-India business using the low-cost digital channels, and the entity is not interested in any more mergers, Bajaj said, adding that it may look at transitioning to a universal bank in the next five years. Before the merger, the North East SFB had reported a loss of Rs 441 crore, and Slice was also reporting losses. "We have turned profitable post-tax on a monthly basis and will close the year in profits," Bajaj said. The bank is adequately capitalised and the buffers will also be supported by the profits, he added. As per recent media reports, the bank was aiming to raise up to USD 300 million

Banks' supervisory data quality index improved in March 2025, says RBI

RBI reports sDQI for scheduled commercial banks improved to 89.3 in March 2025; small finance banks scored above 90, reflecting higher data accuracy and compliance

Transition woes: SFBs' long bumpy road to becoming universal banks

The RBI requires SFBs to provide a detailed rationale for their desire to convert into a universal bank. Those with a diversified loan portfolio will be preferred

Maruti Suzuki ties up with Equitas Small Finance Bank for car financing

Leading car maker Maruti Suzuki India Ltd has partnered with private sector Equitas Small Finance Bank to offer vehicle financing options to its customers, a company official said on Friday. A memorandum of understanding between the two entities was signed with an aim to provide retail financing options for new cars, used cars and commercial vehicles. "The collaboration is set to enhance the accessibility and affordability of Maruti Suzuki vehicles for a broader range of customers," a company statement here said. The Chennai-headquartered Equitas Small Finance Bank would leverage the growing customer base of the bank to benefit diverse Maruti Suzuki customer profiles and offer them a range of comprehensive financing solutions. Maruti Suzuki India Ltd Senior Executive Officer Partho Banerjee exchanged documents with Equitas Small Finance Bank's retail assets head Jagadesh J in the presence of representatives of both organisations. "Our collaboration will enable us to reach an even

Jana Small Finance Bank applies to RBI for transition to universal bank

Jana Small Finance Bank has applied to the RBI for voluntary transition to a universal bank, meeting key financial criteria including NPAs below regulatory thresholds for two years

Indo-Pak tensions: PSBs fortified ops in sensitive areas along border

Banks such as Punjab & Sind Bank, Canara Bank, Union Bank of India, and Punjab National Bank have asked their circle heads to stay in their zonal offices