Finance

Finance Buddha, a fast-growing digital lending and financial services platform, is preparing for its initial public offering (IPO), marking a major step toward scaling its business and diversifying its credit portfolio. The company’s public issue aims to bolster capital reserves, support product innovation, and enhance technology infrastructure as it expands into new lending segments.

Mufin Green Finance Ltd, a leading non-banking financial company (NBFC) focused on electric vehicle (EV) financing, has raised Rs 50 crore through a non-convertible debenture (NCD) issuance. The fundraise aims to strengthen the company’s lending capacity, expand its green financing initiatives, and enhance its asset base amid India’s accelerating transition to clean mobility.

Bajaj Finance Ltd has reported a sharp 27% increase in festive season loan demand, signaling robust consumer sentiment and strong credit appetite across retail and personal finance segments. The surge was primarily driven by rising discretionary spending, digital adoption, and attractive financing schemes during the festive period. With consumers turning to easy credit for lifestyle purchases and big-ticket items, the company witnessed record disbursals in segments such as consumer durables, personal loans, and two-wheeler financing.

Ashok Leyland, one of India’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, has entered into a strategic partnership with Punjab National Bank (PNB) to enhance financial accessibility for its dealer network. The collaboration aims to streamline credit facilities and working capital support, enabling dealers to manage inventory and business expansion more efficiently. Through this alliance, both entities seek to promote smoother financial operations, particularly for small and medium-scale dealers across India.

India’s Small Finance Banks (SFBs) are poised to cross Rs 2 lakh crore in total advances by the end of the current fiscal year (FY26), reflecting strong momentum in MSME lending, retail finance, and rural credit expansion. Fueled by robust asset quality, rising deposit mobilization, and digital integration, the sector has emerged as a key pillar of India’s financial inclusion agenda.

IIFL Home Finance Ltd., a subsidiary of IIFL Finance, has appointed Girish Kousgi as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO), signaling a renewed phase of leadership and strategic expansion. With over two decades of experience in the financial services industry, Kousgi’s appointment marks a critical step in the company’s plans to strengthen its position in the affordable housing finance segment and accelerate digital transformation.

In a recent regulatory development, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has rejected a proposal by Dia Vikas Capital Pvt. Ltd. to acquire a stake in ESAF Small Finance Bank (ESAF SFB). The central bank’s decision underscores its heightened scrutiny over ownership and governance structures within the small finance banking ecosystem.

Zoho Corporation, a leading Indian SaaS and enterprise solutions provider, is set to launch Zoho Pay, a consumer-focused payments application designed to simplify digital transactions and broaden the company’s footprint in the fintech sector. The app will enable peer-to-peer transfers, bill payments, and merchant transactions, integrating seamlessly with Zoho’s ecosystem of business and productivity tools.

Fitch Ratings has revised the Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) outlook for IIFL Finance Limited from "Stable" to "Positive," affirming the IDR at 'B+'. This adjustment reflects Fitch's confidence in the company's improving credit profile, driven by strategic shifts and operational enhancements.

India’s quick-commerce trailblazer Zepto has raised $450 million in a major funding round, propelling its valuation to an impressive $7 billion. Led by the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), the round includes both primary and secondary components, signaling strong institutional confidence in the company’s growth trajectory.