CRIF India, part of the global CRIF network, inaugurated the first regional chapter of the “Credit Goes to HER” initiative in Kolkata, West Bengal, aiming to strengthen women’s leadership and influence in the credit ecosystem.
The program, launched in March 2026, seeks to build a community of women professionals across banks, NBFCs, fintechs, and policy bodies to shape credit policies and improve access to credit for women.
National data show women‑led business loans have increased by 61.1%, and women now constitute 41% of new‑to‑credit borrowers, up from 33% two years earlier; women borrowers exhibit lower delinquency and growing participation in secured lending.
West Bengal’s retail credit market demonstrated robust growth as of March 2026, with total retail loans rising 17.2% YoY to ₹583.9K crore, active loans up 8.9% YoY to 332 lakh accounts, consumption loans at ₹368.4K crore (+13% YoY), gold loans surging 54.1% YoY, and sole‑proprietor loans increasing 25.2% YoY.
The launch event featured senior women leaders: Nina Bairagi (Deputy General Manager, State Bank of India), Arpita Sen (Senior Vice President, Bandhan Bank), Jyoti Sharma (General Manager, UCO Bank), and Sharoni Pal (Head of Credit, Arohan Financial Services Limited).
