Chandra Shekhar Ghosh, the founder and CEO of Bandhan Bank. Born into a financially struggling family in Agartala, Tripura, Ghosh’s journey from modest beginnings to leading one of India’s major banks is a testament to resilience and vision.
Chandra Shekhar Ghosh was born in 1960 to a family that owned a small sweet shop. Despite the economic hardships, he was determined to pursue his education. After completing his schooling, Ghosh moved to Bangladesh, where he earned a degree in Statistics from Dhaka University in 1978. To support himself, he lived in an ashram and tutored children.
Ghosh’s life took a pivotal turn in 1985 when he secured a job with BRAC, an international development non-profit organization in Dhaka. There, he observed how small financial loans could significantly empower women in rural areas. Inspired by these experiences, Ghosh resolved to bring this transformative model to India.
Returning to Kolkata in 1997, Ghosh worked with the Village Welfare Society before launching his entrepreneurial venture. In 2001, with a modest investment of Rs 2 lakh borrowed from friends and family, he founded Bandhan as a microfinance company focused on providing loans to women. Starting with just 12 employees, Bandhan quickly began to make a significant impact. By 2002, it had disbursed loans worth Rs 15 lakh to about 1,100 women.
Under Ghosh’s leadership, Bandhan continued to grow, and in 2009, it was registered as a Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC) by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). By then, Bandhan had touched the lives of approximately 80 lakh women. When the RBI invited applications for banking licenses in 2013, Ghosh seized the opportunity. In 2015, Bandhan Bank commenced operations, marking a significant milestone in Ghosh’s journey.
Today, Bandhan Bank boasts a market capitalization of Rs 28,997 crore. It serves 3.26 crore customers through 6,262 banking outlets across 35 states and union territories. Ghosh’s visionary leadership and dedication have not only transformed Bandhan into a major banking entity but also significantly impacted millions of lives.
