Poonawalla Fincorp Limited (PFL), a prominent NBFC promoted by the Cyrus Poonawalla Group, has announced the launch of its Shopkeeper Loan Business, aimed at providing accessible funding to small retailers and kirana stores across India. This strategic move, revealed on April 8, 2025, is set to address the evolving financial needs of small-scale shopkeepers and potentially boost their operational capabilities and growth prospects.

Bridging the Credit Gap for Small Retailers

The new loan product is designed to tackle key financial challenges faced by small retailers and kirana stores, including:

• Cash flow management
• Inventory financing
• Customer management

By offering tailored financial solutions, Poonawalla Fincorp aims to enhance the competitiveness and long-term resilience of these businesses in an increasingly dynamic retail environment.

Expanding Reach and Impact

In its initial phase, PFL is operationalizing the Shopkeeper Loan Business across 44 locations, focusing on institutionalizing systems for a customer-centric approach. This launch marks the fourth new business initiative by the company, underlining its commitment to diversifying its product portfolio and addressing underserved segments of the market.

Leadership Perspective

Mr. Arvind Kapil, Managing Director & CEO of Poonawalla Fincorp, emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating:

"India's small retailers are the backbone of our consumer economy, yet their growth is often constrained by limited access to timely credit. With our Shopkeeper Loan, we are taking a decisive step to bridge this gap — offering tailored financial solutions that address their working capital needs and support long-term business resilience."

Strategic Alignment with Company Vision

The introduction of the Shopkeeper Loan Business aligns with Poonawalla Fincorp's vision to become the preferred financier for the self-employed segment. By combining a risk-first approach with customer-centric solutions, the company aims to bring small retailers and kirana stores into the fold of formal credit, moving away from their traditional reliance on family funding.

Broader Financial Services Offering

Poonawalla Fincorp continues to expand its financial services portfolio, which includes:

• Pre-owned car finance
• Personal loans
• Loans for professionals
• Business loans
• Loans against property
• Machinery loans
• Education loans
• Commercial vehicle loans

As of March 31, 2025, the company reported Assets Under Management (AUM) of approximately ₹35,550.00 crore, with a presence across 18 states and 2 Union Territories.

Conclusion

This latest initiative by Poonawalla Fincorp underscores the company's commitment to financial inclusion and its focus on empowering small businesses, which form the backbone of India's retail ecosystem. As the program rolls out, it has the potential to significantly impact the growth and sustainability of small retailers across the country.

Poonawalla Fincorp Limited has announced robust growth in its Assets Under Management (AUM) for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, showcasing the company's strong performance in the financial services sector.

Significant AUM Growth

The company reported that its AUM reached approximately ₹35,550.00 crore (₹355.50 billion) as of March 31, 2023. This represents a remarkable year-on-year (YoY) growth of 42% and a quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) increase of 14.7%. The substantial growth in AUM indicates Poonawalla Fincorp's expanding market presence and successful business strategies.

Key Financial Highlights

• AUM Growth: 42.2% YoY and 14.7% QoQ
• Total AUM: Approximately ₹35,550.00 crore as of March 31, 2023
• Liquidity Position: The company maintains a strong liquidity of approximately ₹4,670.00 crore

Strategic Focus and Risk Management

Poonawalla Fincorp emphasized its commitment to a risk-first approach, highlighting the implementation of robust risk management systems. The company also noted its focus on maintaining a diversified asset base, which likely contributes to its strong growth and stability.

Future Outlook

The management expressed its dedication to business expansion while building a long-term, sustainable, and profitable model. This approach aligns with the company's impressive growth trajectory and suggests a positive outlook for future performance.

Conclusion

Poonawalla Fincorp's substantial AUM growth, coupled with its strong liquidity position and strategic focus on risk management, positions the company as a notable player in the financial services sector. As the company continues to scale its operations, investors and market observers will likely keep a close watch on its performance in the coming quarters.

Note: The financial figures mentioned are provisional and subject to audit by the company's statutory auditors.