National, 2^nd July 2026: AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB), India’s largest Small Finance Bank and among the first in over a decade to receive in-principle approval for transition into a Universal Bank, has entered into a strategic partnership with Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) to launch an industry-first initiative, “Suhana Safar” – a Recurring Deposit (RD)-backed auto loan scheme designed to make car ownership more accessible for aspiring first-time buyers of the most popular models; Alto K10,
S-Presso, Celerio, and WagonR. 

Suhana Safar addresses one of the most common barriers to first-time car ownership – the challenge of mobilising a down payment and committing to an EMI, without prior financial readiness.

Under the scheme, a customer opens a Recurring Deposit (RD) account with AU SFB and deposits a fixed monthly amount – equivalent to the prospective car EMI, for a period of three to six months. The RD earns interest during this tenure, and on maturity, the accumulated amount is utilised as the down payment, following which the Bank sanctions and disburses the auto loan.

As a structured RD-backed solution, the scheme enables customers to build savings, earn interest, and assess their repayment comfort before availing the loan, thereby creating a seamless, end-to-end journey from disciplined saving to confident ownership within a single banking relationship.

The scheme creates a win–win proposition for both the customer and the Bank, as it enables the Bank to assess the customer’s creditworthiness at two stages – initially at enrolment and subsequently at the time of loan disbursement.

Currently, AU SFB offers RD interest rates ranging from 4.75% to 7.40% per annum for the general public, and 5.25% to 7.90% per annum for senior citizens.

India, 26 June, 2026: AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB), India’s largest Small Finance Bank and among the first in over a decade to receive in-principle approval to transition into a Universal Bank, has been recognised among the Top 10 – India’s Best Companies to Work For 2026 by Great Place to Work. This recognition represents the gold standard of workplace excellence, underscoring a strong culture anchored in Trust, Pride, and Camaraderie.

The recognition was received by Mr. Manoj Tibrewal, Group Head – HR, Infra, Admin & Marketing, at a recently held awards event.

Great Place To Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, backed by over 30 years of research and insights from more than 100 million employees across 170+ countries. Its rigorous and globally benchmarked methodology evaluates organisations on employee trust, leadership effectiveness and the overall workplace experience.

The assessment is based on the Trust Index Survey (75% weightage) – which captures anonymous employee feedback on credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie – and the Culture Audit (25%), which evaluates leadership philosophy, values and people practices. The certification reflects AU SFB’s ability to foster a consistent and inclusive work environment where employees feel empowered, valued and engaged.

Commenting on the recognition, Mr. Sanjay Agarwal, Founder, MD & CEO, AU Small Finance Bank said, “At AU Small Finance Bank, our people are at the core of everything we do. This recognition reinforces our belief in building a culture rooted in trust, inclusivity and purpose – where every employee is empowered to perform, grow and contribute meaningfully. As we continue our journey towards becoming a Universal Bank, we remain committed to strengthening our people practices and enhancing employee experience at every touchpoint.”

Over the years, AU SFB has consistently been recognised for its people-first philosophy, underpinned by strong values, inclusive leadership and a robust employee engagement framework. With a workforce of over 59,000+ employees serving more than 1.2 crore customers across India, the Bank continues to invest in initiatives that enable growth, well-being and long-term career development.