Airtel Payments Bank Expands Women Business Correspondents Network to 100,000, Advancing Financial Inclusion and Empowerment

New Delhi, 7th March 2025: Airtel Payments Bank is committed to empowering India with accessible and inclusive banking. With women at the heart of this mission, the Bank ensures that women are central to driving financial inclusion across the nation. This International Women's Day, Airtel Payments Bank recognises the pivotal role women play in expanding financial access, particularly through the remarkable work of women business correspondents (BCs) who are bridging the gap between banking and underserved communities. The Bank announced that it now works with over 100,000, women business correspondents, reinforcing its commitment to financial inclusion and economic empowerment.

Over the years, Airtel Payments Bank has been taking banking services to the deepest rural pockets with its largest banking network comprising over 500,000 neighborhood-banking points. These banking points are managed by business correspondents, who are trained and authorized to offer banking services. In key markets, the Bank has seen significant growth, offering financial services to millions of unbanked and underbanked individuals.

As a part of its larger goal of fostering financial inclusion, Airtel Payments Bank has placed a strong focus on empowering women entrepreneurs to drive this change. The women business correspondent (BC) network has been instrumental in providing doorstep banking services, including account opening, fund transfers, bill payments, and micro-loans, to people who previously lacked or had limited access to basic banking services. The expansion of Airtel Payments Bank’s women BC network to over 100,000 marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey to create a more inclusive financial ecosystem. Over 80% of these correspondents work in Tier 3 and beyond towns.

“Women have always been at the heart of our mission to bring financial services to every corner of the country,” said Ganesh Ananthanarayanan, COO of Airtel Payments Bank. “Through our women BC network, we are not only promoting financial inclusion but also empowering women to become change makers in their communities. This International Women’s Day, we celebrate their incredible contributions to advancing banking access, especially in remote areas. We are committed to growing this network even further and bringing more women into the financial mainstream.”

As part of its ongoing efforts, Airtel Payments Bank plans to continue training and upskilling more women to take on roles as business correspondents, providing them with opportunities for entrepreneurship and economic independence.


About Airtel Payments Bank:

Airtel Payments Bank offers a diverse range of safe, simple, and rewarding banking solutions through a network of over 5 Lakh banking points spread across the country and its digital platforms. The Bank has also built a robust digital payments ecosystem across the country. Airtel Payments Bank is focused on contributing to the Government’s vision of Digital India and Financial Inclusion by taking digital banking services to the doorstep of every Indian.

User :- Genesis George

Email :-Genesis.George@genesis-bcw.com