Spice Money delivers on its promise of financial inclusion and financial freedom for Bharat
Spice Money covers 95% of Indian rural pincodes, ensuring the reach of micro-ATMs to the unbanked and underbanked
Spice Money with its 7 lakh Adhikari network to address the needs of the digital and financial service of marginalised population in rural India to bring greater inclusivity and financial freedom
Mumbai, NFAPost: Spice Money, India’s leading rural fintech company, announced that it has established a mammoth ATM network with 1 lakh Spice Money Micro-ATMs operating across rural India.
Strengthening the ATM infrastructure is a crucial leg in this journey, making the 1 lakh mark a significant milestone. The highest number of traditional ATMs installed by any bank in the country currently stands at approximately 60,000, making Spice Money the fastest-growing mATM network in the country. Spice Money witnesses over Rs 1000 crores worth of transaction month on month basis on its mATM network.
While the access to banking in rural areas has been improving over the years, only 5% of the 6,00,000 villages had a commercial bank branch in 2019. When compared to global counterparts, India is among the countries to have the lowest ATM penetration in the world.
While the country has nearly 650,000 villages, only one ATM is available for 10 villages. Over 65% of the Indian population resides in rural India, however, rural areas account for only 20% of all ATMs in the country. Infrastructural costs, low usage due to lack of awareness, inconsistent availability of electricity, theft, vandalism are some of the major deterrents for ATM operators in rural areas. Such challenges continue to slow down the provision of basic banking amenities to this segment of population.
Spice Money, as a company integrating technology into the rural financial network, is enabling its Adhikaris (banking correspondents), next-door Kirana stores/ stationery shops or any individual with access to internet, to equip themselves with the Spice Money micro-ATMs and turn their businesses into a Spice Money ‘Digital Dukaan’, offering essential banking services of cash withdrawal and deposit to their local communities.
Especially during the pandemic-induced lockdown, micro ATMs emerged as the key driver to assist people with cash withdrawal and other essential services. Spice Money’s mATM network grew multifold from just over 18,000 in Feb 2020 to over 1,00,000 as on today. The Company covers 95% of the rural pincodes in India with more than 7 lakh Adhikaris on its network, maximising the reach of the micro-ATMs to the financially underserved and cash-driven parts of the nation.
Spice Money Chief Executive Officer Sanjeev Kumar said the company’s mission since its establishment has been financial inclusion of the rural population of Bharat, thereby, bringing in greater financial freedom to end users as well as our rural entrepreneurs, Adhikaris.
“As we step into the 75th year of Indian Independence, we are privileged to be celebrating this landmark year by delivering on this promise,” said Sanjeev Kumar.
Sanjeev further added as of March-end 2021, India had just 2.39 lakh ATMs for a population of over 1.3 billion. “This number establishes the inadequacy of the ATM infrastructure in our country to address the needs of the semi-urban and rural economy that is growing on the back of direct benefit transfers through Jan Dhan accounts,” said Sanjeev Kumar.
He said the ATM network in these parts has, in many cases, witnessed a de-growth, causing the cash-heavy economy to struggle with low access to digital financial services.
“This is a huge deterrent for financial inclusion in the country. Spice Money has persistently been working towards expanding the micro-ATM network to all corners of India bringing financial and digital empowerment so that rural consumers can access their own money and attain financial freedom. While establishing a lakh-strong ATM network is a milestone for us, we will continue growing our reach and supporting more rural customers in their financial needs,” said Sanjeev Kumar.
Earlier this year, Spice Money introduced an initiative offering the company’s micro-ATM devices at effective zero cost to further accelerate its vision of financial inclusion and encourage Adhikaris to become a part of building an extensive ATM network.
In May 2021, Spice Money became the first company to introduce an ATM in India’s last village, Chitkul, Himachal Pradesh, where one of the only two kirana stores was converted into a Spice Money Digital Dukaan after being equipped with a micro-ATM. Before this, the closest ATM for the residents of Chitkul had been 25 kilometres away in Sangla. Spice Money plans to cover more such far flung remote areas with its micro ATM network.
About Spice Money
Spice Money is India’s leading rural fintech company with over 700,000 Adhikaris (entrepreneurs) offering cash deposit, Aadhar enabled payment system for cash withdrawal, mini ATM, insurance, loans, bill payments, cash collection centre for customer/agents/representative of NBFC/Banks, airtime recharge, tours & travel, online shopping, Pan Card and mPoS services.
More than 90% of their network reside in semi-urban and rural India. Spice Money services are available through Spice Money App (Adhikari App) and web portal. The user-friendly interface and superior technology platform has earned the app a 4.4 star rating, best in industry, on Google Play Store. Spice Money through its cutting edge technology and wide network of Spice Money Adhikaris, is bridging the gaps in access to various financial services for the masses across the length and breadth of India. To know more, visit https://spicemoney.com
