Sanjay Agarwal
Sanjay Agarwal | |
|---|---|
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, Chartered Accountant, Banker |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Known for | Founder of AU Small Finance Bank |
Sanjay Agarwal is an Indian entrepreneur and Chartered Accountant who established AU Small Finance Bank. He presently holds the position of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at the bank. In 2018, he received the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in the financial services category.
Education
Agarwal earned his bachelor's degree in commerce from Government College, Ajmer and is a qualified chartered accountant accredited by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.
Career
After becoming a Chartered Accountant in 1995, Sanjay initiated his business in Jaipur by founding Au Financiers in 1996. The company was created to serve the financial requirements of rural and semi-urban regions in Rajasthan. Backed by multiple HNIs, its primary focus was on financing income-generating assets and fostering enduring relationships with clients.
The Reserve Bank of India launched the Small Finance Bank (SFB) category in 2015 to enhance financial inclusion. Out of 72 applicants, only 10 entities were granted licenses, with AU Bank standing out as the only non-banking finance company to be selected. Agarwal was appointed managing director of Au Financiers in 2008 and assumed the role of Managing Director & CEO following its transformation into a Small Finance Bank in April 2017.
The bank’s IPO in 2017 was oversubscribed more than 53 times. By May 2021, AU Bank’s market capitalization neared , while Sanjay Agarwal’s personal net worth was estimated at .
Awards and recognition
- Recipient of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2018
- Awarded Business Leader of the Year (Financial category) in 2016 by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India