Tag: Financial Inclusion

Finance

Axis Finance Launches ‘Vyapar Business Loan’ to Empower Micro & Small Businesses

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Axis Finance Limited (AFL), one of India’s fastest-growing non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), has announced the launch of Axis Finance Vyapar Business Loan, a collateral-free credit solution aimed at addressing the financing needs of micro and small businesses across semi-urban and rural India.

The Vyapar Business Loan is designed to support entrepreneurs operating in the retail, service and trading segments, offering loans of up to ₹10 lakh with flexible repayment tenures and zero collateral requirements. With a simplified application process and minimal documentation, the product ensures quick and hassle-free access to formal credit for India’s self-employed community. The financing can be utilised for working capital needs, business expansion or equipment upgrades.

Commenting on the launch, Sai Giridhar, MD & CEO, Axis Finance Limited, said that micro and small entrepreneurs form the backbone of India’s economy. He noted that the Vyapar Business Loan aims to make formal credit more inclusive by enabling shopkeepers, traders and service providers to access collateral-free finance, helping them scale operations and fulfil their growth aspirations with confidence.

He further highlighted Axis Finance’s focus on leveraging technology and data-driven underwriting to ensure faster turnaround times and a superior customer experience. According to him, the launch of Vyapar Business Loan marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey to empower India’s self-employed population with simple, secure and scalable credit solutions.

Earlier in the fiscal year, Axis Finance introduced Disha Home Loans to improve homeownership access for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Low-Income Group (LIG) customers, and also launched Axis Finance Shakti, a Micro Loan Against Property (Micro LAP) product for micro-entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals. Vyapar Business Loan builds on these initiatives, further strengthening AFL’s commitment to inclusive lending and grassroots economic development.

Axis Finance continues to expand its presence across secured and unsecured lending segments, supported by strong underwriting capabilities, advanced technology platforms and an extensive distribution network focused on delivering seamless customer experiences across emerging markets.


Axis Finance Limited is a non-deposit accepting NBFC registered with the Reserve Bank of India and classified under the Middle Layer (NBFC-ML). A wholly-owned subsidiary of Axis Bank Limited, the company offers a wide range of retail and wholesale lending solutions, including Loans Against Property, Business Loans, Personal Loans, Disha Home Loans, Corporate Financing and Real Estate Financing.

TechPulse

10 Years of PhonePe: A Decade of Building for Bharat

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

PhonePe recently marked a significant milestone, completing ten years in India’s fintech ecosystem and celebrating a decade of innovation, growth and impact. Since its inception, the company has played a pivotal role in transforming the way India transacts and manages money, steadily expanding financial access across urban and rural Bharat alike.

In 2025, PhonePe crossed a major milestone by surpassing 600 million registered users, reinforcing its position as a cornerstone of India’s digital economy. The year focused strongly on deepening trust and improving accessibility with the introduction of features such as UPI Circle, which enables delegated payments for trusted contacts, and PhonePe Protect, a robust security framework designed to safeguard users against fraudulent transactions.

Strengthening its support for merchants, PhonePe introduced Made-in-India solutions like the SmartSpeaker and SmartPOD, helping small and medium businesses embrace digital payments with ease. Through the Udyam Assist initiative, launched in partnership with SIDBI, PhonePe became one of the first institutions to enable digital-first integration for MSMEs, streamlining their access to formal credit and financial services.

For consumers, the platform expanded beyond payments by launching affordable protection products such as Home Insurance and Health Insurance, aimed at India’s “Missing Middle.” PhonePe also unlocked liquidity through innovative lending solutions, including Loan Against Mutual Funds, ensuring essential financial services are accessible to a wider population.

Reflecting on the journey, Sameer Nigam, Founder and CEO of PhonePe, said that despite how far the company has come, the most exciting part is that the summit is still not in sight. He highlighted the passion of the teams behind PhonePe and noted that the journey continues to be meaningful and energising as the company builds for the future.

Rahul Chari, Founder and CTO, expressed pride in what PhonePe has built over the past decade, acknowledging the goodwill and support received from the industry and the wider ecosystem. He emphasised that building something people truly believe in is what turns an idea into real impact.

Over the years, PhonePe has consistently redefined the Indian fintech landscape through industry-first innovations. From Digital Gold and Mutual Funds to making Insurance and Stock Broking accessible to the masses, the platform has evolved into a comprehensive financial ecosystem. Key milestones include the PhonePe Business app for merchants, Merchant Lending, Credit Line on UPI, Cross-Border UPI, UPI Lite, and the 2024 launch of the Indus Appstore, Share.Market and secured lending platforms.

By relocating its domicile to India in 2022 and steadily expanding into credit and wealth management, PhonePe has moved beyond being a payments utility to becoming an integral part of India’s financial fabric, ensuring that access to protection, investment and credit continues to reach every citizen as it builds for Bharat.

Social

Canara Robeco AMC Launches ‘Nivesh Bus Yatra’ Across Maharashtra and Goa to Educate Investors

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Canara Robeco Asset Management Company Limited, the investment manager to Canara Robeco Mutual Fund and India’s second-oldest mutual fund house, has launched the ‘Nivesh Bus Yatra’ across Maharashtra and Goa to promote investor education and financial literacy. The initiative aims to simplify mutual fund investing, clear common misconceptions, and encourage long-term wealth creation by directly engaging with communities.

The Nivesh Bus Yatra will operate through two dedicated routes across Maharashtra before concluding in Goa. One bus commenced its journey from Pune, covering key cities including Nashik, Aurangabad, Jalna, Akola, and Nagpur, while the second bus began from Kolhapur, travelling through Ratnagiri, Kankavli, Kudal, and Sawantwadi before reaching Goa. The buses will visit prominent community locations, allowing residents to interact with experts and gain practical insights into mutual fund investments.

Speaking on the initiative, Rajnish Narula, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Canara Robeco AMC, highlighted the importance of informed investing in today’s evolving financial landscape. He stated that an informed investor not only makes better financial decisions but also contributes to strengthening the broader financial ecosystem. He added that the Nivesh Bus Yatra is designed to take financial education directly to people, making investment knowledge accessible, actionable, and relevant to everyday life.

Gaurav Goyal, Head – Sales & Marketing at Canara Robeco AMC, emphasised that the initiative reflects the organisation’s commitment to empowering investors through practical and community-focused education. He noted that by engaging investors in their own environments, the initiative aims to simplify investing concepts, address doubts, and encourage disciplined, long-term financial planning.

Through interactive sessions, simple demonstrations, and digital tools, the Nivesh Bus Yatra seeks to build investor confidence and promote responsible investing habits. The initiative reinforces Canara Robeco AMC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen financial inclusion and investor awareness across emerging and underserved regions in India.

Finance

Bank of Baroda Engages 3.65 Lakh Farmers, Sanctions Rs 5,636 Crore in 8th ‘Baroda Kisan Pakhwada’

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Bank of Baroda, one of India’s leading public sector banks, has successfully concluded the 8th edition of its flagship rural outreach programme, ‘Baroda Kisan Pakhwada,’ held from 3rd to 15th November 2025. Over the course of the fortnight, the bank engaged with more than 3.65 lakh farmers across the country and sanctioned agricultural loans totaling over ₹5,636 crore. This year, the initiative was themed “Towards Atmanirbharta,” reflecting the bank’s commitment to supporting financial inclusion and empowering India’s farming community.

The programme featured a variety of on-ground activities including Kisan Melas, Kisan Meets, choupals, credit camps, and financial literacy sessions. Farmers were provided with guidance on modern agricultural equipment, drone technology, and financing options for Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Self Help Groups (SHGs), with several receiving loan sanction letters on the spot.

Baroda Kisan Pakhwada also highlighted the bank’s innovative digital offerings designed to make access to credit faster and more convenient. These included the Digital Baroda Kisan Credit Card, integrated with the RBIH digital land records system, and the Digital Gold Loan, available on the bank’s digital lending platform. These solutions demonstrate the bank’s commitment to making financial services more accessible, simplifying processes, and supporting the agricultural sector’s growth and self-reliance.

Speaking on the completion of the programme, Shri Lal Singh, Executive Director of Bank of Baroda, said, “The 8th edition of Baroda Kisan Pakhwada reflects our continued commitment to serve India’s farmers with solutions that are accessible, reliable, and increasingly digital. Whether through our Digital BKCC, Digital Gold Loan, or our on-ground outreach programmes, the aim is to strengthen our engagement and support by making credit simpler and more empowering for every farmer we reach. We remain deeply committed to supporting the agricultural community and contributing to their progress and self-reliance.”

Through initiatives like Baroda Kisan Pakhwada, Bank of Baroda continues to play a pivotal role in enhancing financial literacy, promoting digital adoption, and providing crucial financial support to farmers across India, reaffirming its position as a trusted partner in rural development and agricultural growth.

Social

GCCI Women’s Wing Organizes UdyamStree Loan Fair on Women Entrepreneurs Day

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

On the occasion of Women Entrepreneurs Day, the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Women’s Wing, in collaboration with DRDA South, successfully organized the UdyamStree Loan Fair. The event brought together 10 leading banks, including Bank of Baroda, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, Goa Urban Cooperative Bank, Punjab National Bank, Reserve Bank of India, State Bank of India, and The Bicholim Urban Cooperative Bank Ltd, alongside aspiring women business owners, to facilitate access to finance and mentorship for women-led enterprises.

The programme witnessed participation from over 100 attendees, including representatives from various banks, state officials, and members of the GCCI Women’s Wing Committee such as Ms. Sandra Fernandes, Chairperson; Ms. Poonam Ajgaonkar; Deepali Naik; CA Swatee Rane; Ms. Clare De Souza; Ms. Gouri Joshi; Ms. Lavanya Shet; Adv. Adbrona Vaz; Ms. Nandita Pinto Dayal; and Ms. Melane Rodrigues, Assistant Director, GCCI.

Ms. Sandra Fernandes welcomed the gathering and highlighted the significance of Women Entrepreneurs Day and the role of UdyamStree Loan Fairs in strengthening the economic ecosystem for women entrepreneurs. The Chief Guest, Ms. Ranjita Pai, Chairperson of the Goa State Commission for Women, urged banks to streamline credit facilities for women-led enterprises and highlighted various government schemes supporting women entrepreneurs.

During the fair, each participating bank presented a concise overview of its loan products, focusing on interest rates, collateral requirements, and fee structures. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with bank representatives in one-on-one sessions to discuss tailored financial solutions. Adv. Poonam Ajgaonkar, Co-Chair of GCCI-WW, proposed a vote of thanks, and CA Swatee Rane compered the event, ensuring a smooth and informative programme.

The UdyamStree Loan Fair successfully provided women entrepreneurs with the tools, guidance, and financial access necessary to scale their businesses, reaffirming GCCI Women’s Wing’s commitment to empowering women in the economic landscape.