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SPEAKER PROFILE

SPEAKER

Mr. Sanjay Agarwal
Founder, MD & CEO
AU Small Finance Bank

Mr. Sanjay Agarwal is a pioneer in the realm of banking and the visionary founder, MD & CEO of AU Small Finance
Bank (AU SFB). His indomitable spirit has carved a transformative path within India's banking landscape,
catering to the emerging ‘Bharat’. As a first-generation entrepreneur, he embodies the spirit of ‘Badlaav’, that
propelled AU into becoming India’s largest small finance bank - a beacon of financial inclusion and excellence.

A merit holder Chartered Accountant, Mr. Agarwal embarked on his journey by founding Au Financiers in 1996.
For over two decades, this institution catered to the financial needs of small entrepreneurs and underserved
individuals in rural and semi-urban areas. It offered funding for income generation and enhancement,
empowering those previously marginalized by formal financial systems.

Recognizing the need and potential of priority sector lending, Mr. Agarwal pursued the small finance bank
category introduced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in 2015. Among the select ten banks granted the license
out of 72 applicants, AU SFB, under his dynamic leadership, uniquely transformed from an asset financing NBFC
to a small finance bank in 2017. This evolution marked a new chapter in the bank's commitment to drive
inclusive growth.

Within its inaugural year of banking operations, AU achieved the status of a scheduled commercial bank and
secured a position on the Fortune India 500 list. Today, after more than Seven years as a bank, AU stands tall as
India's largest small finance bank.

Mr. Agarwal's leadership extends far beyond financial metrics. His philosophy, "Samajhdaari, Zimmedari,
Imaandaari," (Prudence, Responsibility, Honesty), is deeply embedded in AU's culture. It is a philosophy that
fosters inclusivity, ethical practices, and a sense of ownership – all crucial elements in building a sustainable
institution that adds value to the society and contributes towards the development of the nation. This philosophy
of Mr. Agarwal has helped carve out ethical practices that focus deeply on customer satisfaction and can be felt
in day-to-day dealings at the bank.

Mr. Agarwal is a strong believer of the ‘Make in India’ approach. To propel the Skill India efforts, AU Foundation
instituted non-profit projects – AU Udyogini (self-help women’s group), AU Skill Academy (skilling youth), AU
Sports for Development (sports facilities and training) to name a few. Additionally, the Sanjay and Jyoti Agarwal
Foundation works in an area of underprivileged education, road safety, and digital empowerment.

www.icaidubai.org 59

42 nd ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL 42 nd ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL
$5 Trillion $5 Trillion
Economy CONFERENCE 2024-25 CONFERENCE 2024-25 Economy
PROFESSION, BHARAT & WORLD ECONOMY PR OFESSION, BHARA T & W OR LD EC ONOM Y
PROFESSION, BHARAT & WORLD ECONOMY
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