By Subodh Agarwal
For years, there was a void after the merger of the Bank of Rajasthan and the State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur. Building a bank is much like building a temple – it takes years to earn people's trust.
Few have done it as remarkably as Mr. Sanjay Agarwal, the dynamic founder-promoter of AU Bank. His journey is a masterclass in vision, grit, and humility.
I recently met him at CII's Investiture Ceremony – warm, cheerful, and personally ensuring every guest felt at home. This was no different from my first meeting with him six years ago, when he walked into my chamber for official work – grounded and approachable.
From a school cricket whizkid to a billionaire on the Forbes list, Mr. Agarwal's success mantra is clear – stay focused, stay humble, and choose growth over vanity. He willingly diluted equity to expand, proving that it's better to be the tail of a lion than the head of a donkey… and in time, he aims to be the head of the lion.
In nearly a decade, AU has secured a universal banking licence from the RBI – a historic milestone for Rajasthan. His commitment goes beyond business – he's pledged to help build a Krishna Consciousness Cultural Centre in Jaipur, reflecting his deep community roots.
His dream? To build a bank for the future – wired with values, driven by leadership, and capable of standing tall on the global stage.
Mr. Agarwal, you are truly the pride of Rajasthan.
The writer is a 1988 batch IAS officer from Rajasthan. He is currently serving as chairman and managing director of Rajasthan Financial Corporation. Views are his personal
