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Poonawalla Group’s Enduring Legacy in Financial Services

 Leveraging the trust and credibility of the Poonawalla Group, which is globally recognized for its achievements in vaccine manufacturing, Poonawalla Fincorp is carving a niche in India’s retail lending sector. The company’s strategic shift towards a tech-first financial model ensures that it remains ahead of the competition in an ever-evolving market.

With a long-term vision to scale assets to ₹1.5 trillion within five years, Poonawalla Fincorp is focused on technology-led financial inclusion, operational agility, and a seamless customer experience. By aligning its expansion strategy with cutting-edge innovations, the company is poised to redefine how financial services are delivered in India.

As Poonawalla Fincorp accelerates its transformation, its commitment to growth, digital excellence, and financial accessibility remains steadfast, paving the way for a more inclusive and technologically advanced financial ecosystem.

Abhay Bhutada


Poonawalla Fincorp’s Evolution Redefining the Future of Digital Lending

Poonawalla Fincorp is charting a bold new course in India’s financial sector, blending innovation, strategic leadership, and technological advancements to build a dynamic lending ecosystem. With a strong push towards digitization, an aggressive market expansion strategy, and a commitment to customer-centric solutions, the company is positioning itself as a powerhouse in non-banking financial services (NBFCs). By integrating artificial intelligence (AI), strengthening its workforce, and expanding its product suite, Poonawalla Fincorp is rapidly transforming into a future-ready financial institution.

Also Read: The Future of HR in Finance: Blending Technology and Expertise for Growth

Unparalleled Q3 Growth Underpins Market Confidence

Poonawalla Fincorp’s Q3 FY25 performance highlights its strong growth trajectory. The company’s total disbursements stood at ₹7,150 crore, marking a 13.3% quarter-on-quarter increase and showcasing its ability to scale lending operations seamlessly. Assets Under Management (AUM) surged 41% year-on-year to ₹30,950 crore, while quarterly AUM growth of 9% further cements its standing in the financial space.

With ₹4,800 crore in liquidity, the company maintains a robust financial position, ensuring seamless operations and sustainable expansion. Net Interest Income (NII), an essential profitability metric, saw a 17.5% year-on-year jump to ₹558.4 crore, reinforcing its strong revenue-generating capacity. These stellar results spurred investor confidence, with Poonawalla Fincorp’s stock hitting an intra-day high of ₹329.85 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

Revamped Leadership Steering Digital Transformation

Strong leadership is at the core of the company’s ambitious transformation. Salil Hajarnis was appointed Poonawalla Fincorp’s CTO in December 2024, bringing with him two decades of expertise in AI-powered digital solutions and enterprise architecture. Having spearheaded large-scale projects at Fiserv India Pvt. and Capgemini, Hajarnis is expected to enhance the company’s technological capabilities and optimize its digital lending ecosystem.

Simultaneously, Arvind Kapil assumed the role of Managing Director and CEO in June 2024, leading Poonawalla Fincorp’s aggressive expansion into new markets. His extensive experience in financial services and technology-driven business models has already begun reshaping the company’s trajectory, leading to a 1.99% rise in share prices to ₹367, the highest since November 2024. Kapil’s leadership is centered on strengthening operational efficiencies and fostering a customer-first approach to lending.

Also Read: Key Trends Shaping the Growth of Non-Banking Financial Companies

New-Age Lending Products Expanding Market Reach

Poonawalla Fincorp is actively diversifying its lending portfolio to cater to an evolving customer base. Over the next four to six quarters, the company plans to double its workforce and launch six new lending products, including gold loans, used car financing, shopkeeper loans, and education loans. These offerings aim to serve a broader segment of borrowers, reinforcing financial inclusion while expanding revenue streams.

To support this diversification, the company is scaling its branch network from 100 to nearly 400, with a special focus on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. This expansion blends a digital-first approach with a physical distribution strategy, ensuring a seamless lending experience for customers across urban and semi-urban markets. The company is also actively targeting salaried professionals from India’s top 300 companies, ensuring a stable and risk-optimized lending model.

In addition to lending, Poonawalla Fincorp’s CEO is eyeing the wealth management segment, initially through third-party investment product distribution, before rolling out proprietary financial services. While organic growth remains the primary focus, the company is also open to strategic acquisitions that could accelerate its footprint in India’s financial landscape.

AI-Powered Innovations Streamlining Operations

As part of its tech-first evolution, Poonawalla Fincorp is leveraging AI-driven automation to enhance operational efficiencies. AI has revolutionized the company’s human resource processes, slashing hiring times by 90%, reducing recruitment cycles from 10 days to under a day. AI-powered tools are driving automated candidate screening, document verification, and real-time job matching, making the hiring process faster and more precise.

Also Read: Unlocking Growth: Lessons from a Financial Success Story

Beyond HR, AI is transforming fraud detection, risk assessment, and compliance monitoring, enabling the company to improve accuracy and mitigate financial risks. These advancements are part of a broader initiative to develop a fully digital, AI-powered lending ecosystem, allowing for faster loan approvals, enhanced customer engagement, and an overall improved lending experience.

Poonawalla Group’s Legacy of Innovation and Trust in Finance

While the Poonawalla Group is best known for its global impact in vaccine manufacturing, its foray into financial services is proving equally transformative. By harnessing its legacy of trust and excellence, Poonawalla Fincorp is solidifying its place in India’s financial sector as a customer-first, technology-driven lending institution.

With a long-term goal of scaling assets to ₹1.5 trillion within five years, Poonawalla Fincorp is embracing digital transformation, operational agility, and a seamless customer experience. As it continues to grow, the company remains focused on financial inclusion, technological excellence, and building a resilient, future-ready business model that is redefining how India experiences financial services.

As Poonawalla Fincorp accelerates its evolution, its commitment to pioneering digital lending, expanding market access, and delivering world-class financial solutions remains stronger than ever, marking a new era in India’s NBFC sector.


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