He topped CA exams. Meet Sanjay Agarwal, the man behind AU Small Finance Bank. Check his networth

Sanjay Agarwal, the man behind India’s newest universal bank, is no ordinary banker. A commerce graduate from Government College, Ajmer, Agarwal is a Chartered Accountant who didn’t just clear the CA exam—he topped it, earning a gold medal from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. In 1996, Agarwal, instead of taking up any job, launched a small finance company in Jaipur with a mission to bring formal financial services to India’s underserved and unbanked populations.

AU Small Finance Bank origin

What began as a modest vehicle finance company would, over nearly three decades, transform into a financial powerhouse—AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB).

Now, history has repeated itself—this time on a national scale. On August 7, 2025, AU Small Finance Bank became the first in nearly a decade to receive the Reserve Bank of India’s 'in-principle' approval to transition into a Universal Bank, a full-service commercial bank. The last such license was granted in 2015 to Bandhan Bank. For AU SFB and Sanjay Agarwal, the milestone is more than just regulatory—it’s symbolic of years of disciplined growth, strategic vision, and relentless focus.


The journey to a universal banking license wasn’t easy. The RBI had laid out rigorous conditions: five years of consistent performance, a minimum Rs 1,000 crore net worth, profitability, and low levels of bad loans. AU ticked every box. Its net profit for FY25 stood at Rs 1,592 crore as compared with Rs 1,428 crore in the preceding fiscal.

Under Agarwal’s leadership, AU SFB has grown to become India’s largest Small Finance Bank. As Managing Director & CEO, he brings nearly 3 decades of experience across finance, rural economy, banking, and risk management. His business acumen and strategic foresight have not only scaled AU but also placed him on Forbes' billionaire list, with an estimated net worth of $1.3 billion or about Rs 11,500 crore.

Recognized as one of India’s most impactful entrepreneurs, he was awarded the ET Gamechanger of India in 2019, among other honors.