by Suman Gupta
- Planet First – AU Green Fixed Depositis designed to allocate its entire proceeds to support renewable and green projects including waste management, solar projects, plastic recycling, rainwater harvesting, and electric vehicles to name a few.
- Green fixed deposit is pivotal in promoting development by supporting projects, and business which prioritize climate stewardship, and sustainable economic growth.
- Bank’s efforts are ‘incremental but sure’ step to help bridging funding gap in order to achieve India’s Net Zero targets.
- Green Fixed Deposits will enable customers to contribute to sustainability of planet through AU’s green offering.
Mumbai, October 25, 2023: AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB), India’s largest SFB, proudly introduces its first Green Fixed Deposit (FD) called Planet First – AU Green Fixed Deposit, purposefully designed to allocate its entire proceeds to support renewable and green projects including solar power, electric mobility solutions etc. AU SFB is in a unique position to contribute towards sustainable ‘Badlaav’ through gradually offering such retail products aligned with the guidance of regulator.
The Green Deposit policy and framework would further complement AU SFB’s intent on climate action. The policy and framework are approved by the Board and is externally reviewed by a third party in accordance with the mandatory requirements. Channelizing funds through the green route and lending towards green assets, AU SFB’s efforts on sustainability will continue to evolve to reflect ‘Badlaav,’ in the journey of ‘Forever’.
The Planet First – AU Green Fixed Deposit offers an attractive interest rate of up to 8.50 per cent, with a minimum investment requirement of only Rs 5,000. This new offering allows both AU SFB’s existing and new customers to secure their Green FD conveniently through Video Banking, the AU 0101 App, NetBanking, or by simply visiting their nearest AU Small Finance Bank branches. The Green FD is being launched on the last Wednesday of October, as this day is also recognized as Sustainability Day.
The customers can opt for a tenure that aligns with their financial objectives, spanning from shortest term of two years to long-term options. Planet First – AU Green Fixed Deposit offer a variety of interest payment choices to customers, including monthly, quarterly, and cumulative (at maturity), to help manage their cash flows effectively. Furthermore, customers will receive regular updates regarding the utilization of their funds and the progress of the green projects supported by Planet First – AU Green Fixed Deposit, keeping them well-informed every step of the way.
Marking a pioneering stride in the Indian banking sector, this remains country’s one of the leading Green FD introduced following Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines that mandates to use the proceeds only in activities that champion energy efficiency, curtail carbon emissions and greenhouse gases, bolster climate resilience and adaptation, and safeguard and enrich natural ecosystems and biodiversity. These funds will be utilized pan-India with few focus areas being green projects in Rural Bharat.
Speaking on this launch, Mr. Sanjay Agarwal, Founder and MD & CEO, AU Small Finance Bank said, “Climate change has been recognized as one of the most critical challenges faced by the global society and economy in the 21st century and Indian Government has taken a leading role in climate control change by committing to net-zero target at COP 27 (Confederation of Parties) meeting. Additionally, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is among the first few global regulators to introduce a green deposit framework. Recognizing ‘Environment’ as a key stakeholder, we at AU, have recently enhanced our sustainability initiatives under the guidance of the Sustainability Committee of the Board and the inclusion of senior board members and executives with expertise in sustainability. Now, we are taking an even greater step forward and will be among the first few banks to launch ‘Planet First – AU Green Fixed Deposit,’ fully compliant with the new RBI framework. Our intent is to keep planet first in our thoughts & actions and to foster ethos of recent G20 initiative of One Earth, One Family and One Future. We are extremely happy to add Green Fixed Deposit to our bouquet of innovative and customer-centric products. By choosing Planet First – AU Green Fixed Deposit, one joins a community of pro-green customers, where the deposits so mobilized, shall be channelized exclusively into essential green projects (including solar power, electric mobility solutions etc) that supports climate action.”
About AU Small Finance Bank: AU Small Finance Bank Limited is a scheduled commercial bank and a Fortune India 500 Company. Starting its journey from the hinterlands of Rajasthan, today AU SFB is the largest Small Finance Bank with a deep understanding of the rural and semi-urban markets that has enabled it build robust business model facilitating inclusive growth.
With 28 years legacy of being a retail focused and customer-centric institution, AU SFB started its banking operations in April 2017 and as on 30th June 2023, it has established operations across 1,038 banking touchpoints while serving 41.3 Lac+ customers in 21 States & 3 Union Territories with an employee base of 28,446 employees.As on 30th June 2023, the Bank has a net worth of ₹ 11,379 Crore, deposit base of ₹ 69,315 Crore, Gross Advance of ₹ 63,635 Crore and a Balance sheet size of ₹ 91,583 Crore.
AU SFB enjoys the trust of marquee investors and is listed at both the leading stock exchanges viz. NSE and BSE. It has consistently maintained high external credit Rating from all major rating agencies like CRISIL, CARE Ratings and India Ratings.
