A Study on Physical Performance of Select Small Finance Banks in India

Abstract

This paper evaluates the physical performance of Small Finance Banks (SFBs) in India, focusing on their growth across multiple dimensions. The study assesses parameters such as the number of ATMs, Point of Sale (PoS) terminals, debit cards, functioning offices, micro ATMs, employees, branches, and customers. The analysis covers the financial years from 2018 to 2023, drawing on secondary data sources including statistics from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), annual reports from selected SFBs, and reputable financial websites like Yahoo Finance and Money Control. Although the primary focus was on annual and financial reports from the SFBs' websites, some did not have up-to-date reports available. The RBI's data, known for its accuracy, played a crucial role in assessing the physical characteristics of SFBs. Established by the RBI to meet the needs of various stakeholders in the Indian economy, SFBs have developed a significant presence in both urban and rural areas. Since most selected SFBs began operations in 2017, the study starts from the financial year 2018 and extends to 2023, addressing the research objective of this report. This research highlights the infrastructural and service-related developments of SFBs over the specified period.