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AU Bank launches account opening on WhatsApp
MUMBAI: AU Small Finance Bank has announced the rollout of their Savings Bank Account opening process initiated with WhatsApp. This service is powered by Karix Mobile using an advanced multi-channel conversational and compute platform. Using Karix’s versatile platform, AU Bank’s interested customers will be able to initiate the opening of their savings account in less than 5 minutes using an interactive chat-like interface on WhatsApp.
This service is an extension of AU Bank’s brand values that revolve around financial inclusion and offering an uncomplicated banking experience to its customers. This will be one of the many interactive services that the Bank is planning to launch on WhatsApp. Powered by Karix Mobile’s Actionable Messaging Compute platform, AU Bank will now be able to drive two-way conversations, automate and enhance customer experience processes and create micro engagements with their customers using the WhatsApp Business solution.
Speaking on the launch of this service, Mr. Sanjay Agarwal, MD & CEO, AU Small Finance Bank, said, “WhatsApp has become a part of the day-to-day life of people all over the world in a very short span. It offers a host of features through its user-friendly interface. Considering the huge impact it has created in people’s lives, we at AU Bank, decided to use this platform for people to engage with our potential audience. While it is an important step in our mission to simplify banking through digital solutions, we are optimistic this will enhance the way people see banking in India.”
Mr. Deepak Goyal, COO at Karix Mobile explains, “Partnering with AU Bank to deliver this disruptive WhatsApp banking service was a privilege. Introducing banking services on a messaging app is always a challenging task, given that there are various applications and processes in the backend that need to be connected and automated securely. We take great pride in this deployment and are very excited to see how this service is received.”
WhatsApp as a platform has been accepted widely by India (and more importantly by ‘Bharat’) to communicate and interact for their daily needs. The Bank believes that there is still a lot of potential for businesses to use technology to connect with the Indian masses, especially in tier 2-4 locations, where WhatsApp plays an important role of removing hurdles of digital adoption. By allowing customers to initiatebanking services on a messaging app that has 200 million monthly active users in India, AU Small Finance Bank is transforming the banking industry by taking the bank to where the customer is.
“Keeping customers at the core, AU Bank is continuously exploring means to make banking simple and convenient. A vast percentage of our savings accounts are already being opened through our tab-based application. By adopting newer technologies in our daily operations, the endeavor is to make our Bank a preferred choice for customers. WhatsApp is a widely used messaging app across all segments of the country. This initiative helps in providing a safe, seamless and contextual customer experience for inclusive banking,” concluded Mr. Uttam Tibrewal, Executive Director, AU Small Finance Bank.
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Piyush Thakur steps down as Inshorts’ chief revenue officer
Former vice president and cro says exit marks a new chapter after close to a decade of building revenue and partnerships at Inshorts Group.
NOIDA: Piyush Thakur has stepped away from Inshorts Group after nearly 10 years with the company, marking the end of a long tenure that culminated in his role as chief revenue officer.
In a farewell note, Thakur said he was “turning a new page” after almost a decade at Inshorts, calling it one of the hardest professional decisions he has made. He added that his exit was not driven by uncertainty about the future, but by reflection on a long association with the company.
Thakur joined Inshorts in October 2016 as vice president and spent around seven years in the role before being elevated to chief revenue officer in April 2024, a position he held until April 2026.
He said his tenure was defined by “thousands of mornings, late nights, product debates and breakthrough moments”, as the company evolved into a large-scale digital news platform used by millions.
In his note, Thakur emphasised that Inshorts’ growth was a collective effort across teams, adding that engineers, designers, sales teams and customer support staff all contributed to building the platform. He said the company’s success was not the result of individuals but of “everyone who stayed, passed through, and left their mark”.
Before Inshorts, Thakur worked across several digital media and business development roles. At ESPN, he served as senior regional manager from October 2015 to October 2016, focusing on growth initiatives, strategic opportunities and video distribution.
At Times Internet, he worked for nearly three years, including as head of business development from April 2015 to September 2015 and chief manager from January 2013 to March 2015. His responsibilities included monetisation of mobile platforms, managing media and developer partnerships, and driving revenue across digital properties such as The Times of India and The Economic Times.
Earlier, he worked at Brandmovers as head of business development from June 2012 to June 2013, handling digital, mobile and social media marketing solutions, client development and strategic consulting. During this period, he also worked on advertising revenue, brand strategy and CRM-based solutions.
At Inshorts, Thakur’s role focused on revenue strategy, mobile and media partnerships, and growth initiatives across platforms. His profile highlights experience in mobile product management, digital business models, partner ecosystems and revenue expansion in high-growth environments.
