Fino Payments Bank has entered into a strategic partnership with Ezee.ai to build a lending ecosystem in support of its transition to a Small Finance Bank (SFB). The collaboration aims to deploy AI-enabled solutions to accelerate the bank's digital lending capabilities and strengthen its SFB implementation roadmap.

Partnership Overview

The initiative leverages Ezee.ai's AI-powered no-code platform to introduce a suite of technology solutions designed to modernise the bank's lending and collections infrastructure. Key components of the deployment are outlined below:

Strategic Significance

The partnership marks a significant milestone in the bank's journey toward establishing a technology-led and asset-light SFB. By deploying these AI-driven tools, the bank intends to improve operational agility, enable scalable customer-focused innovation, and expand credit access across Bharat. The initiative reinforces the bank's strategic focus on using advanced digital technologies to build a differentiated banking franchise.

Leadership Perspectives

Mr. Ketan Merchant, Interim CEO of the bank, stated that the alliance aligns with the vision to build a differentiated banking franchise. He emphasised that technology and digital innovation will remain key enablers in delivering faster and inclusive banking experiences as the bank prepares for its next growth phase.

Mr. Rajendra Awasthi, CEO of Ezee.ai, expressed delight in partnering with the bank for its transformation journey. He highlighted that their platform would help enhance the bank's operational efficiency and decision-making processes through intelligent automation.

The disclosure was made in accordance with SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.

Fino Payments Bank Limited announced that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the extension of Mr. Ketan Merchant's tenure as Interim Chief Executive Officer for a further period of three months effective from May 27, 2026. This regulatory approval ensures leadership continuity as the Bank continues its operations and pursues its transition into a Small Finance Bank.

The approval, conveyed via an RBI letter dated May 25, 2026, follows the voluntary retirement of the former Managing Director & CEO, Mr. Rishi Gupta, effective May 21, 2026. The Board accepted Mr. Gupta's request after reviewing legal opinions concerning an investigation by the Directorate General GST Intelligence, Hyderabad, which concluded that no prima facie case existed against him.

To maintain operational stability, the Bank has also extended the tenure of Mr. Anup Agarwal as Interim Chief Financial Officer for a period not exceeding three months effective from July 06, 2026. The Bank confirmed that its governance framework remains robust and that customer services remain uninterrupted.

The Bank remains focused on the operationalisation of the Small Finance Bank license within the timelines prescribed by the RBI. The Board meeting to finalize these leadership decisions was held on May 21, 2026.