Poonawalla Fincorp is rapidly transforming into a dominant force in India’s financial landscape. With remarkable growth, strategic leadership hires, and a strong push toward digital advancements, the company is redefining its business model. By expanding its lending portfolio, investing in technology, and strengthening its workforce, it is poised for long-term success in the non-banking financial services sector.
Impressive Q3 Performance and Market Confidence
The financial results for Q3 FY25 highlight Poonawalla Fincorp’s strong growth trajectory. The company reported ₹7,150 crore in disbursements, a 13.3% quarter-on-quarter increase, and 41% year-on-year growth in Assets Under Management (AUM), now standing at ₹30,950 crore. A 9% sequential rise underscores its expansion strategy.
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Additionally, its ₹4,800 crore liquidity buffer strengthens its financial stability. Net Interest Income (NII), a crucial profitability metric, surged 17.5% year-on-year to ₹558.4 crore, solidifying investor confidence. As a result, Poonawalla Fincorp’s stock price touched ₹329.85 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), reflecting the market’s positive outlook.
Strategic Leadership Appointments Drive Growth
Poonawalla Fincorp’s CTO, Salil Hajarnis has taken over to fuel its next phase of expansion. Hajarnis brings over 20 years of experience in enterprise architecture, AI-driven solutions, and software development, with leadership stints at Fiserv India Pvt. and Capgemini. His expertise aligns with the company’s digital-first approach.
This appointment follows the induction of Arvind Kapil as Managing Director and CEO in June 2024, reinforcing Poonawalla Fincorp’s commitment to leadership excellence. The market responded positively, with shares climbing 1.99% to ₹367, their highest since November 2024.
Ambitious Expansion Plans Target New Lending Segments
Poonawalla Fincorp is gearing up for aggressive expansion by doubling its workforce and launching six new retail-focused lending products within the next four to six quarters. These offerings will include gold loans, used car financing, shopkeeper loans, and education loans, providing greater financial access to customers.
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To support this expansion, the company plans to increase its branch network from 100 to nearly 400, focusing on smaller cities through a hybrid digital and physical presence. Aimed at salaried professionals in India’s top 300 companies, this expansion will mitigate risk while diversifying the lending base.
To execute this strategy effectively, Kapil has built a robust leadership team with seasoned professionals from HDFC Bank and Yes Bank, ensuring strong operational efficiency. As the business scales, operational costs are expected to decline, boosting profitability.
In addition to lending, Poonawalla Fincorp is eyeing the wealth management sector, beginning with third-party investment product distribution before venturing into proprietary offerings. While the company remains focused on organic expansion, it remains open to acquisition opportunities to accelerate growth.
AI-Driven HR Innovations Improve Recruitment Efficiency
As part of its broader tech-driven transformation, Poonawalla Fincorp has deployed Artificial Intelligence (AI) in human resources (HR) processes, drastically improving efficiency. The integration has cut hiring time by 90%, reducing job offer finalization from 10 days to under a day.
The AI-powered system enables instant document verification, automated job postings, and real-time candidate screening, ensuring that hiring decisions are data-driven and efficient. These enhancements mark the beginning of a larger digital overhaul, with AI expected to extend into compliance, customer service, and operations.
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Poonawalla Group’s Legacy and Future in Financial Services
Though the Poonawalla Group is best known for its global vaccine manufacturing leadership, it is leveraging its reputation for trust and excellence to expand into financial services. Poonawalla Fincorp’s CEO Arvind Kapil emphasizes that brand credibility plays a pivotal role in retail lending, positioning the company favorably in a competitive market.
With strong leadership, sound financials, and cutting-edge technological integration, Poonawalla Fincorp is on track to achieve ₹1.5 trillion in assets over the next five years. By continuously innovating and adapting, the company is carving a niche in India’s evolving financial sector, setting new benchmarks in digital transformation and growth.
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