CRIF India, part of the global credit information and business intelligence company CRIF, has launched the first regional chapter of its ‘Credit Goes to HER’ initiative in Kolkata, aimed at strengthening women’s leadership and participation in India’s credit ecosystem.
Launched nationally in March this year, the initiative seeks to create a community of women professionals who are shaping credit policies, products and access to finance, while also enabling greater financial inclusion for women across segments.
Women gain prominence in credit market
The launch comes at a time when women are playing an increasingly important role in India’s formal credit economy, although they remain underrepresented in leadership positions across the sector.
According to CRIF India, women-led business loans have grown 61% nationally, while women now account for 41% of new-to-credit borrowers, up from 33% two years ago.
Women borrowers have also demonstrated stronger credit behaviour, with lower delinquency levels than men and an increasing presence in secured lending categories.
The ‘Credit Goes to HER’ platform aims to build on this momentum by bringing together women professionals from lending, risk management, analytics, NBFCs, fintechs and policy-making institutions.
Kolkata chosen for first regional chapter
Kolkata was selected for the first regional chapter due to Eastern India’s strong credit growth and expanding lending landscape.
As of March 2026, West Bengal’s retail credit market recorded healthy growth, with total retail loans rising 17.2% year-on-year to ₹583,900 crore, while active loans increased 8.9% to 3.32 crore accounts.
Consumption loans stood at ₹368,400 crore, up 13% year-on-year, led by strong growth in gold loans, which rose 54.1%, and sole-proprietor loans, which increased 25.2%.
Platform for collaboration and mentorship
The Kolkata chapter will function as a regional platform for women professionals across banks, NBFCs, fintechs and other financial services institutions to share knowledge, seek mentorship and collaborate on more inclusive credit practices.
The launch event was attended by senior women leaders from the BFSI sector, including SBI-DGM Nina Bairagi, Bandhan Bank Sr. VP Arpita Sen, UCO Bank GM Jyoti Sharma and Arohan Financial Services Head of Credit Sharoni Pal.