As India prepares for the Union Budget 2026-27, to be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, 2026, the fintech, wealth management, and NBFC sectors are watching closely. With the economy navigating global headwinds and domestic priorities like consumption revival and MSME support, expectations center on policies that strengthen household financial security, encourage long-term savings, reduce borrowing costs, and expand inclusive credit access.
NBFCs are projecting 12–18% AUM growth in FY26, driven by secured lending like gold loans and demand for personal, education, and MSME credit. At the same time, wealth management firms are advocating for simpler tax rules and incentives to direct rising retail savings into mutual funds, retirement products, and other formal investment channels. Digital-first frameworks, regulatory stability, and lower cost of capital remain recurring themes across the industry.
Mr. Abhishek Dev, Co-founder & CEO of Epsilon Money, believes the upcoming budget presents a clear opportunity to build greater household resilience and deepen participation in formal financial markets. Epsilon Money, an AMFI-registered mutual fund distributor and IRDAI-registered corporate agent (with its sister concern SEBI-registered as an Investment Adviser), specializes in goal-based wealth solutions—including mutual funds, retirement planning, diversified portfolios across Indian and global equities, succession strategies, and low-cost integrated reporting—serving retail investors nationwide.
“Ahead of the Union Budget, there is strong anticipation around measures that can strengthen household financial resilience and deepen long-term participation in formal financial markets. Simplifying tax structures, providing greater clarity and incentives for long-term investments such as mutual funds and retirement products and encouraging financial inclusion through digital-first frameworks will be key. With rising awareness among retail investors, policy continuity and stability can help channel savings into productive investments while supporting wealth creation across income segments.”
Echoing the need for broader financial inclusion through easier access to credit, Mr. Senthil R Kumar, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Nitstone Finserv Private Limited, emphasizes the role of timely and affordable financing in sustaining economic momentum. Nitstone Finserv, a Bengaluru-headquartered NBFC, focuses on responsible lending across gold loans, personal loans, education finance, and MSME credit. Led by Mr. Kumar, who brings over 25 years of banking experience (including senior roles at ICICI Bank), the company prioritizes last-mile delivery, asset-liability management, and inclusive finance for households and small businesses in South India and beyond.
“As Budget 2026 approaches, improving access to timely and affordable credit remains a key priority for India’s growth story. Secured lending segments such as gold loans, along with personal, education and MSME-focused credit, play a crucial role in meeting the evolving financial needs of households and small businesses. Policy measures that lower the cost of capital, ensure regulatory clarity, and encourage responsible lending can strengthen last-mile credit delivery and support financial inclusion. A growth-oriented budget that enables NBFCs and lending institutions to expand credit reach will be critical in sustaining consumption, entrepreneurship and inclusive economic development.”
Together, these perspectives reflect a shared industry view: the Union Budget 2026 must deliver targeted reforms in taxation, credit liquidity, regulatory predictability, and digital enablement to empower households, fuel MSME expansion, and accelerate inclusive growth. As the presentation date approaches, announcements in these areas could significantly shape the trajectory of India’s financial services landscape in the coming years.
Also Read: Gold Price Today Skyrockets – Why Gold Rates in India Jumped Sharply on January 21, 2026
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Last Updated on: Thursday, January 22, 2026 11:00 am by Monisha Angara | Published by: Monisha Angara on Thursday, January 22, 2026 10:50 am | News Categories: News
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