Credit Saison India

In 2018, a subsidiary of the Japanese financial services giant Credit Saison was incorporated in India, setting the stage for a new chapter. The parent company, founded by Torajiro Okamoto in 1951, had a long history in consumer finance. The Indian entity, known as Credit Saison India, began its journey with a clear strategy. Led by CEO Presha Paragash, the company obtained its non-banking financial company (NBFC) license in September 2019. The initial approach was partnership-driven. Credit Saison India engaged in wholesale lending to other financial institutions and co-lending with fintech companies. This allowed them to build a presence and a loan book by leveraging the existing infrastructure of partners. The model was designed to address India's significant credit gap, using a tech-enabled platform to reach underserved individuals and businesses. A pivotal moment arrived in February 2024, when the company secured its first major external funding round. Mizuho Bank, a major Japanese financial group, invested $145 million, acquiring a significant minority stake and marking a strong vote of confidence in the Indian operation. This capital infusion was earmarked for expanding its loan book and deepening its market penetration. Following this, in April 2025, the company raised an additional $300 million through external commercial borrowings from a consortium of banks, further diversifying its funding sources to fuel its growth. Today, Credit Saison India operates with a hybrid model, combining digital partnerships with an expanding physical branch network to grow its diverse lending portfolio.