Airtel Payments Bank Expands Women Business Correspondents Network To 1 Lakh, Advancing Financial Inclusion And Empowerment

New Delhi, Mar 8, 2025: Airtel Payments Bank has announced that it now works with over 100,000 women business correspondents, who are bridging the gap between banking and underserved communities, reinforcing its commitment to financial inclusion and economic empowerment.

The bank in a press release said that it 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. 

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.

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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 changemakers 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,” he said.

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.