The Reserve Bank of India has approved Rajan Bajaj as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Slice Small Finance Bank, effective February 17, 2026, completing a key regulatory step in the bank’s leadership transition as it scales a digital-first banking model.
Background and transition from fintech to bank
Rajan Bajaj, founder of Bengaluru-based fintech Slice, rose to prominence for building digital credit products aimed at young Indians. Founded in 2016, Slice gained traction by offering simplified, technology-driven credit solutions and a strong consumer base among millennials and Gen Z.
The company’s strategic merger with North East Small Finance Bank in 2024 enabled the fintech to convert into a regulated banking entity under the small finance bank framework. The combined operation was rebranded as Slice Small Finance Bank in 2025. Bajaj served as Executive Director after the merger; his elevation to MD and CEO signals continuity in leadership and a commitment to the bank’s longer-term roadmap.
Strategic priorities under Bajaj
With RBI approval secured, Bajaj is expected to lead the bank’s next growth phase, focusing on a technology-first approach to core retail products such as savings accounts, fixed deposits, UPI-enabled payments and consumer credit. The bank has emphasised automation, AI-supported personalization and data-driven underwriting to deepen customer engagement and improve risk management.
Slice Small Finance Bank aims to expand financial inclusion by reaching underserved and digitally active customers across urban and semi-urban India, while enhancing product accessibility and cost efficiency through tech-led delivery channels.
Regulatory and sectoral context
The RBI’s nod underscores regulatory acceptance of fintech-originated entities entering the formal banking system, provided they meet governance and compliance norms. Analysts view Bajaj’s fintech background as an asset for integrating rapid product innovation with the prudential controls required in a regulated bank.
The development reflects a broader maturation within India’s fintech ecosystem, where several startups are pursuing banking licences or partnerships with regulated entities to scale services and widen credit and savings penetration.
Implications for the small finance banking landscape
Slice Small Finance Bank’s transition from startup to regulated bank illustrates how technology-first ventures can evolve into mainstream financial institutions. With leadership stability now established, market watchers expect the bank to accelerate product innovation, expand geographic reach and further strengthen governance and risk frameworks.
