From selling phones to giving loans — Flipkart’s bold move into finance changes everything Flipkart, the Walmart-backed e-commerce giant, just made a move that could shake up the
Flipkart, the Walmart-backed e-commerce giant, just made a move that could shake up the entire online shopping experience in India.
It’s no longer just a place to shop — it can now lend you money.
Flipkart has officially received a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) license from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), making it the first major Indian online retailer to get into the lending game without needing a bank partner.
In March 2025, Flipkart’s subsidiary Flipkart Finance Private Limited got the green light from RBI to operate as an NBFC. That means it can:
In short: Flipkart just became its own bank — well, almost.
Imagine shopping on Flipkart, adding your favorite phone to the cart, and getting an instant EMI loan — not from a bank, but directly from Flipkart.
No need for external approvals, delays, or bouncing between apps. It’s all in one place, controlled by Flipkart from end to end.
Flipkart isn’t just coming for your wallet — it’s coming for your business funding too.
Sellers on Flipkart could soon access:
All powered in-house by Flipkart Finance, not third-party lenders.
Before you worry about Flipkart storing your savings — relax. Flipkart’s NBFC license does not allow it to accept deposits. That means:
It’s strictly a lending business, not a traditional bank.
This move isn’t just about helping customers. It’s about control and profit.
Until now, Flipkart had to work with banks and NBFCs to offer loans and EMIs. Those third parties made the rules — and the profits. With its NBFC license, Flipkart cuts them out.
Now, Flipkart gets:
It’s a strategic move to become not just a shopping destination, but a fintech powerhouse.
It certainly looks that way. Globally, e-commerce giants like Amazon, Alibaba, and Apple have entered the financial world. Flipkart is now doing the same in India — and it’s coming in strong.
By combining its shopping platform with a new credit ecosystem, Flipkart is setting itself up to:
This is no longer just e-commerce. It’s a full-scale digital economy.
This move will likely spark a domino effect. Other Indian giants like:
…will be watching closely. Don’t be surprised if they start pushing for their own NBFC licenses soon.
Both.
Excited? Because getting a loan just got easier. No more long bank approvals. You’ll get credit tailored to your shopping behavior, delivered faster and with fewer hoops.
Worried? Because with great credit comes great responsibility. Flipkart will now have access to more of your financial data. And if you’re not careful, easy loans can quickly turn into expensive debt.
This isn’t just a fintech experiment. It’s the beginning of a new era where your favorite online store also becomes your lender, credit advisor, and maybe more.
For Flipkart, it’s a power play. For shoppers, it’s convenience with a twist. For the market, it’s a major disruption.
Welcome to the age of “shop now, pay later… with Flipkart itself.”
