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Bandhan Bank Limited traces its origins not to a traditional banking charter, but to a microfinance institution. Founded in 2001 by Chandra Shekhar Ghosh as a not-for-profit entity near Kolkata, its initial mandate was focused entirely on financial inclusion and the economic empowerment of women in underserved communities. After expanding its activities by acquiring a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) in 2006 and growing to become the largest microfinance institution (MFI) in India by 2010, the institution received an in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in 2014. This culminated in the grant of a universal banking license, allowing it to commence operations as a full-fledged commercial bank on August 23, 2015, making it historically significant as the first MFI to successfully transform into a universal bank in the country.

The institution currently operates as a Public bank, with its shares publicly traded on both the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE). Its significance within the Indian financial system is defined by its unique model of inclusive banking, continuing its focus on serving the unbanked and under-banked segments of the population. The bank maintains a strategic presence in rural and semi-urban areas, leveraging its extensive network to deliver both microfinance products and broader retail and corporate banking services. Following its Initial Public Offering (IPO) in March 2018, Bandhan Bank quickly established itself as a major listed entity, positioning it as a significant player in the modern Indian private sector banking landscape.