Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated India's first AI and digital-powered bank branch in Guwahati on Friday. The phygital branch of Slice Small Finance Bank was unveiled at GS Road, marking a significant milestone in India's banking evolution. According to reports from ANI, this development represents another step toward building a more inclusive financial ecosystem across both urban and underserved communities. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Sarma described the initiative as a reflection of Assam's growing readiness to support the future of digital banking and technology-driven investment. The Chief Minister emphasized that this new digital and AI-enabled branch represents the right kind of investment that the State government has been working for quite sometimes, highlighting the strategic partnership with Slice Small Finance Bank as the right collaboration that Assam needs and deserves.
The new branch offers unique services that significantly improve customer accessibility. As reported by ANI, customers can now access credit directly through the UPI interface without a separate application, streamlining the lending process. This feature is particularly beneficial for small store owners and women entrepreneurs who can obtain working capital for their business ventures on their phones in minutes. Sarma highlighted that such innovations represent "financial inclusion in its most practical and meaningful form" by extending banking and credit access to people who have historically remained outside the ambit of modern financial systems. The branch is designed to make banking more accessible and inclusive for customers across segments, combining physical trust with digital convenience through an expanding physical presence and robust digital infrastructure.
The bank features AI-enabled self-service kiosks, paperless cash deposits and withdrawals, and streamlined digital onboarding. According to the Chief Minister, these services seamlessly blend physical and digital services through advanced technology integration. The next-generation banking branch combines physical banking services with digital and AI-enabled solutions to improve accessibility, convenience, and financial inclusion. The facility offers AI-enabled kiosks, QR-based banking systems, instant onboarding, digital passbook printing and app-based banking operations, as reported by NDTV. The branch is expected to extend access to savings, payments and credit solutions through a growing physical presence supported by robust digital infrastructure, with the bank reportedly extending responsible credit, savings, and payment solutions to individuals and small businesses, particularly those who have historically had limited access to modern banking services.
Sarma emphasized that the Assam government is committed to making the state a destination for responsible and technology-driven investment. As reported by ANI, the government is relentless in creating conditions where businesses can thrive, where young people can find opportunity, and where every resident has access to the financial tools they need to build a better life. The Chief Minister reiterated that Assam was steadily emerging as a destination for responsible investments backed by innovation and advanced technology. Speaking exclusively to NDTV, Slice Small Finance Bank Chairperson Eugene Karthak highlighted that the bank was honoured to have its AI-powered digital branch inaugurated in Assam by the Chief Minister. He explained that Slice is a completely digital bank with advanced facilities designed for customers and merchants, offering digital kiosks, QR-based services, instant passbook printing and instant loan approvals for traders, merchants and consumers. The bank is the first bank which provides interest daily and aims to reach every smartphone user through simplified banking operations.
Slice MD & CEO Rajan Bajaj highlighted the company's larger vision for Assam and the Northeast, stating that Slice is now known as a digital-first bank, and we aim to reach every smartphone user. According to NDTV, Bajaj added that Assam was the ideal place to begin this digital banking journey due to the company's strong presence in the region. The bank was formed following the merger of fintech startup Slice and Northeast Small Finance Bank after Reserve Bank of India approval, with its headquarters now in Guwahati. Bajaj revealed that in the next two to three years, the bank aims to become one of the largest providers of merchant QR and banking solutions in Assam and the Northeast before expanding further across the country. The bank currently operates as a full-stack digital banking platform offering savings accounts, term deposits, merchant solutions and UPI-linked credit services to users across India, with financial inclusion remaining one of the key reasons behind the initiative to reach underserved areas in Northeast India.
