Why Is Abhay Bhutada A Big Promoter Of Digitalization In The NBFC sector?

Tejas Bodke
4 min readMar 15, 2024

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In the rapidly evolving landscape of finance, the Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) sector is undergoing a profound transformation propelled by digitalization. At the forefront of this revolution stands Abhay Bhutada, MD of Poonawalla Fincorp championing the adoption of digital technologies through NBFCs. Through his strategic initiatives and relentless advocacy, Bhutada is reshaping the sector, driving operational efficiency, enhancing customer experience, and fostering inclusivity in small towns across the country.

Understanding the Imperative of Digitalization

Abhay Bhutada’s journey as a promoter of digitalization in the NBFC sector is rooted in a deep understanding of its imperatives. Recognizing the transformative potential of digital technologies, Bhutada emphasizes that digitalization is no longer a choice but a necessity for NBFCs to thrive in today’s competitive landscape.

Streamlining Operations and Enhancing Efficiency

One of the primary drivers behind Bhutada’s advocacy for digitalization is its ability to streamline operations and drive efficiency within NBFCs. Through automation, data analytics, and artificial intelligence, NBFCs can optimize various processes, including loan origination, underwriting, risk assessment, and collections, leading to faster decision-making and reduced costs.

Elevating Customer Experience

Bhutada underscores the transformative impact of digitalization on customer experience. By leveraging digital channels such as mobile apps, online portals, and chatbots, NBFCs can offer customers convenient access to services, simplified application processes, real-time support, and personalized financial solutions, thereby fostering satisfaction and loyalty.

Also Read: How Digitalization Has Empowered Citizens From Small Towns?

Driving Financial Inclusion in Small Towns

Abhay Bhutada’s advocacy for digitalization extends to driving financial inclusion, particularly in small towns and rural areas. The adoption of digitization in places like Latur, where Bhutada grew up, has led to increased inclusivity, empowering underserved populations and contributing to the country’s economic growth. Through alternative data sources and advanced analytics, NBFCs can assess the creditworthiness of individuals without traditional credit histories, opening up new avenues for lending and expanding access to credit.

Additionally, the integration of small towns into the financial mainstream has instilled a sense of confidence among its citizens as they actively contribute to the nation-building process. This newfound confidence not only strengthens local economies but also fosters a sense of pride and ownership, further fueling the momentum of inclusive growth propelled by digitization efforts championed by Bhutada and others in the NBFC sector.

Abhay Bhutada, Managing Director of Poonawalla Fincorp, leading the financial institution with strategic planning and vision.

Strengthening Risk Management Practices

Digitalization plays a crucial role in strengthening risk management practices within the NBFC sector. By harnessing big data analytics and machine learning algorithms, NBFCs can gain deeper insights into borrower behavior, market trends, and macroeconomic indicators, enabling more accurate risk assessment and proactive mitigation strategies to safeguard portfolios.

Ensuring Regulatory Compliance and Transparency

Bhutada emphasizes the importance of digitalization in ensuring regulatory compliance and transparency. By investing in robust technology infrastructure and digital platforms, NBFCs can adhere to regulatory standards, enhance transparency, and mitigate regulatory risks effectively, fostering trust and credibility among stakeholders.

Also Read: NBFCs’ Stance: Deepening Roots with Digital and Physical Infrastructure

Drawing Inspiration from Personal Experiences

Abhay Bhutada’s fervent advocacy for digitalization within the NBFC sector finds its origins in his personal experiences and upbringing. Coming from Latur, a small town in Maharashtra, Bhutada intimately understands the transformative power of inclusivity on the nation’s financial landscape. His journey from a modest background to prominence in the financial sector has endowed him with a deep empathy for the challenges faced by underserved communities.

Witnessing firsthand the evolution of small towns like Latur into integral contributors to the country’s economic growth has shaped Bhutada’s visionary outlook. His upbringing has instilled in him a profound understanding of the importance of leveraging digital technologies to bridge geographical divides and empower local communities. With this perspective, Bhutada is driven to drive digitalization initiatives within NBFCs, aiming to break down barriers to financial access and foster inclusive economic development across India.

Also Read: How Can NBFCs Become Active Participants In The Payment Ecosystem?

Conclusion

Abhay Bhutada’s journey from his humble beginnings in Latur to his leadership role in the NBFC sector has shaped his perspective on the importance of inclusivity and digitalization in driving the country’s financial growth. Drawing inspiration from his personal experiences, Bhutada is committed to leveraging digital technologies to empower underserved communities and bridge the gap between urban and rural areas. As he continues to advocate for digitalization in the NBFC sector, Bhutada remains steadfast in his mission to build a more inclusive and equitable financial ecosystem for all.

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Tejas Bodke

Passionate finance expert who is interested in exploring the world of music and fitness. Let’s discuss numbers, melodies and much more!