Year Ender 2025 -Tech-driven trust: AI, data & governance at the last mile

By Shikhar Aggarwal, Chairman, BLS E-Services Ltd.

Financial inclusion in India has always hit the same two walls, which are reaching people beyond cities and getting them to trust the system once they are there. Millions have bank accounts now, but stable access to financial services is still a problem, especially in rural and tier 2,3,4 areas. Business Correspondents (BCs) bridge that lag as they are local agents who handle banking and government services. What has made them effective is technology such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and proper governance frameworks.

From Field Agents to Partners in the System

BCs used to do simple cash deposits and withdrawals. This role is evolving now; they manage digital payments, loan disbursals, account management, etc. These BCs are embedded in the financial infrastructure.

Technology is facilitating this. AI platforms check transactions, spot problems. Data analytics show transaction patterns ...