RBI Allows Flipkart to Handle Direct Lending: Loans can be Given Directly to Buyers and Sellers

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) gave Flipkart a license to lend money. This is a big deal for India's fintech and e-commerce businesses. It can now give loans straight to people who buy and sell on its platform. The RBI gave this license to a big Indian e-commerce company on March 13, 2025. It is the first time that an NBFC has been opened by the RBI.

Over the years, Indian e-commerce sites have given credit through partnerships with banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). Flipkart has teamed up with lenders like Axis Bank, IDFC Bank, and Credit Saison to offer its customers personal loans. But now that it has this new NBFC license, Flipkart Finance Private Limited—Flipkart's financial arm—can give money on its own.

RBI's Recognition and Adherence to Rules

With its certificate of registration from the RBI, Flipkart Finance is officially recognized as an NBFC. This means that it can give loans to people but not take savings. Flipkart asked for this license in 2022, and the fact that it was approved shows how the government is changing how it deals with fintech and e-commerce together.

Why Flipkart and Walmart Need to Care About Their Strategies

Walmart is the biggest shareholder in Flipkart. It owns more than 80% of the company. Walmart wants Flipkart to have a bigger role in India's digital economy, and this move fits with that plan. Direct lending services are about to start up. People who know about the situation say that Flipkart plans to start offering direct loans within the next few months. 

What Gives Flipkart an Edge Over Competitors in Fintech Lending

Flipkart is now ahead of its e-commerce competitors in the fintech space thanks to this new development. For example, Amazon just bought the Bengaluru-based NBFC Axio, but the RBI hasn't approved the deal yet.

Flipkart's growth and innovation in India's competitive e-commerce and fintech markets should be sped up by its NBFC license, which was passed by the RBI.