THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
MUMBAI/NEW YORK, AUGUST 12, 2026
In a landmark partnership that brings together Jio Financial
Services’ digital scale and Bank of America’s global banking expertise, the two
financial giants on Wednesday announced a definitive agreement under which Bank
of America will acquire up to 49.9 per cent stake in Jio Credit Limited, Jio
Financial Services’ wholly-owned NBFC lending subsidiary, for an investment of
up to ₹18,268
crore (about USD 1.9 billion).
Under the agreement, Bank of America will initially acquire a
26.5 per cent equity interest in Jio Credit through a preferential allotment of
equity shares and warrants, with its holding potentially rising to 49.9 per
cent upon exercise of the warrants. The transaction remains subject to
applicable regulatory and statutory approvals.
The proposed joint venture marks a significant step in the expansion
of India’s rapidly evolving financial services landscape, combining Jio
Financial Services’ deep understanding of the Indian market, extensive digital
reach and customer ecosystem with Bank of America’s global financial services
capabilities, technology expertise and risk-management strengths.
Jio Credit has emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing
NBFCs, building assets under management of ₹30,667 crore (USD 3.2
billion) as of June 30, 2026, within just two years of commencing operations.
The digital-first lender offers a diversified suite
of lending products and aims to expand responsible access to credit across
existing and new segments of the Indian market.
The partnership is expected to provide Jio Credit with
long-term capital to support sustainable loan growth while strengthening its
capabilities in financial services, governance, risk management and technology.
For Bank of America, the investment offers an opportunity to deepen its
participation in one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies through a
partner with substantial local expertise and a differentiated digital platform.
Following completion of the transaction, the board of Jio
Credit will have equal representation from Jio Financial Services and Bank of
America. The existing management team will continue to oversee the NBFC’s
strategy and operations, while Jio Credit will remain a subsidiary of Jio
Financial Services and continue to be consolidated in its financial reporting.
Commenting on the proposed partnership, Mukesh D. Ambani said
the country’s journey towards becoming a developed India by 2047 requires a
financial ecosystem built around scale, trust and inclusivity, with the
democratisation of responsible credit at its core.
“Jio Financial
Services is committed to making finance more seamless and simpler for Indians
than ever before, leveraging new technology and anchored in the highest
standards of governance. Our strategic partnership with Bank of America is a
pivotal milestone in this mission,” Ambani said.
He added that combining Jio’s digital reach with Bank of
America’s global capabilities would help reduce friction in credit delivery and
empower Indians to pursue a more prosperous and inclusive future.
Bank of America Chair and Chief Executive Officer Brian Moynihan
said India remains one of the world’s most important growth markets and the
investment reflects the bank’s confidence in the country’s long-term prospects.
“We are excited to become a partner with Jio Financial Services, which has achieved remarkable scale in a short period of time, growing to more than $3 billion in assets under management in just two years,” Moynihan said.
By bringing together Jio Financial Services’ scale, local expertise and customer base with Bank of America’s global reach, digital experience and nearly 250 years of banking leadership, the partnership aims to expand access to financial services and support India’s continued economic growth.