Bandhan won the Economic Times Bengal Corporate (ETBC) Awards presented by Association of Corporate Advisers & Executives (ACAE) on February 14, 2015 at Taj Bengal, Kolkata. Bandhan bagged this prestigious award in the category of ‘Highest Job Creator’. These awards are a celebration of corporate excellence, where great leaders who have made a unique difference to the state of Bengal are felicitated.

This coveted ET Bengal Corporate Awards was handed over by Dr. Amit Mitra, Finance, Commerce & Industries Minister, West Bengal to Bandhan.

For the third time, the Association of Corporate Advisers & Executives (ACAE), Kolkata and The Economic Times (ET) celebrated the success of eminent organizations and individuals for their outstanding contribution to the society. The first Corporate Awards in Bengal – it is one major platform to recognize and reward those who have been actively involved in corporate excellence and sustainability, particularly through their efforts in various domains. An occasion where the top heads of companies having their head office/ corporate office or registered offices in West Bengal competed against each other to lay their hands on the coveted trophy. Also present were some young talented minds with revolutionary thoughts and business models that will change the course of industry in times to come. This state specific award stems from the novel idea of lauding the best organizations across sectors.

The various categories for the awards this year were:

• - Best Financial Performance
• - Fastest Growing Company
• - Highest Job Creator
• - Best CSR Idea
• - Innovation in Business
• - TBD by Jury
• - Lifetime Award for a Leading Industrialist

The key objectives of this award were to felicitate eminent organizations and individuals for their outstanding contribution, recognize and celebrate private initiatives towards societal good, inspire many more to seriously reconsider their policies and create 'Corporate Leaders' who shall light the way and set the benchmarks for the nation as a whole.

Mr. Chandra Shekhar Ghosh, Founder & Mentor, Bandhan was presented with the prestigious 'Entrepreneur of the Year' 2014 Award by The Economic Times (ET). The Economic Times Awards - for Corporate Excellence is the flagship event for ET.

Mr. Arun Jaitley, Minister of Finance, Corporate Affairs, Information & Broadcasting of India presided over the grand ceremony as the Hon’ble Chief Guest. Mr. Ghosh received the award in the hands of Mr. Manohar Gopalkrishna Prabhu Parrikar, Minister of Defence, Government of India at a gleaming ceremony held on November 29, 2014 at Nariman Point, Mumbai.

ET had adopted a democratic, participative and rigorous process to choose the best and the brightest of India Inc. Mr. Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft Corporation headed an 11 - member jury including some of India's top industrialists, bankers and lawyers to choose the winners of the 2014 edition of the ET Awards.

The eminent jury acknowledged Mr. Ghosh’s feat in building a large microfinance institution extending credit to those near the bottom of the pyramid who had no access to such funds. Now that the organization has bagged a banking licence, no mean feat given the exacting due diligence that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) carries out before granting one, Bandhan was the best suited contender this year. What makes Bandhan markedly different from its rivals is its ability to run a low-cost operation and provide loans at the most competitive rate in the microfinance space. "You have completely changed the financial inclusion paradigm," said Mr. K. V. Kamath, Chairman, ICICI Bank and a member of the jury to Mr. Chandra Shekhar Ghosh.

The following eligibility criteria was set for ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ award –

1.    - The entrepreneur should have created a successful and enduring brand
2.    - The entrepreneur should be a visionary and possess pragmatic leadership qualities
3.    - The entrepreneur should have brought transformational approach to business and industry, leaving a mark behind

Besides, Mr. Ghosh, the other nominees in the race were Deep Kalra, Founder & CEO, MakeMy Trip, Kunal Bahl, Founder & CEO, Snapdeal, Naveen Tewary, CEO, Inmobi, Pranay Chulet, Co- Founder & CEO, Quikr, Rajeev Nannapaneni, Vice – Chairman & CEO, Natco, Ramesh Ramanathan, Co – founder, Janaagraha, V.S.S. Mani, MD & CEO, Justdial, William Bissell, MD, Fabindia.

Standard Chartered Bank was the Presenting Sponsor for the Economic Times Awards for Corporate Excellence.

Mr. Chandra Shekhar Ghosh, Founder & Mentor, Bandhan, was presented with the 'Finance Man of the Year' Award 2014 by Bombay Management Association (BMA) in Mumbai on November 15, 2014. Mr. Niteen Bhagwat, President, BMA and Dr. Anand Patkar, Chairman, Finance Committee, BMA handed over the prestigious award to Mr. Ghosh.

BMA established in 1954, is one of the pioneering and premier management associations in India. BMA organized its 16th Finance Convention in Mumbai on the theme “Financial Inclusion: Game Changer for the Next Decade” on the occasion of its Diamond Jubilee Year celebration. The event created a platform to share and discuss the strategies and opportunities that arise out of the new scenario of financial inclusion. The convention witnessed participation of more than 200 senior professionals from the finance sector across the country ranging from regulators, economists, strategists to representatives from sectors such as banks, IT, telecommunications, financial institutes, microfinance, insurance, retail, agro commodities and NGOs working for economically deprived sections. Dr. Deepali Pant Joshi, Executive Director, Reserve Bank of India conceptualized and designed the convention this year. Some of the eminent speakers invited at the event comprised Mr. Ajit Ranade, Chief Economist, Aditya Birla Group, Mr. Rajeev Ahuja, Head Strategy, RBL Bank, Mr. N. Sivaraman, President & Director, L & T Holdings, Mr. Ramesh Iyer, MD, Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services.

The event was organized in association with Mumbai’s premier management school – Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS).

Ms. Arpita Sen, Deputy General Manager, Institutional Finance, Bandhan was also in attendance at the said convention.

Bandhan received the much coveted honor of a Global Growth Company (GGC) by the World Economic Forum thereby enabling it to join the community of the world‟s most dynamic, influential and high-growth companies. The announcement was made on November 05, 2014 during the 3 - day India Economic Summit at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi. Mr. David Aikman, Managing Director, Head of New Champions, World Economic Forum handed over the prestigious award to Mr. Chandra Shekhar Ghosh, Founder & Mentor, Bandhan.

The World Economic Forum is an international institution committed to improving the state of the world through public-private cooperation in the spirit of global citizenship. It engages with business, political, academic and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

The World Economic Forum invites nominations from its network of media leaders, existing GGCs, Forum Members and Partners, faculty members and the general public. Candidates are evaluated by the Forum and a selection committee composed of regional business experts. The pool of candidates this year was exceptionally strong and diverse, making the process all the more difficult and challenging.

Candidates were judged on their compliance to the following selection criteria:

Growth: Demonstrated track record of above average, sustainable growth in the past three to five years
Impact: Major influence in their industry and national or regional competitive fields
Leadership: Top executive team has demonstrated visionary leadership
Global corporate citizenship: Proven commitment to positively influencing the societies and regions in which they operate

After a vigorous and thorough evaluation process, Bandhan Financial Services Pvt. Ltd. was selected as one of the country‟s fastest growing companies and invited as a World Economic Forum Indian Global Growth Company 2014. Bandhan was nominated this year on the strength of its ability to become a future global leader.

Bandhan now being a GGC will have the opportunity to join the larger GGC community in order to get maximum exposure, knowledge exchange and networking opportunities with political, business, media and academic leaders from over 370 companies from India and around the world.

Forbes India Magazine confers upon Mr. Chandra Shekhar Ghosh, Founder & Mentor, Bandhan the award 'Entrepreneur with Social Impact' in 2014 as part of Forbes India Leadership Awards. Mr. Ghosh received the award at a glittering ceremony held on October 07, 2014 at Hotel Trident, Mumbai.

A prestigious jury decided the eminent personalities who would be awarded under different categories in 2014. The said jury was headed by Mr. K. V. Kamath, Chairman, ICICI Bank Ltd. and Jury Chairman. The other members of the jury comprised Mr. Sanjay Nayar, CEO, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co (India), Mr. Akhil Gupta, Non-Executive Chairman, Blackstone India, Mr. Ajit Rangnekar, Dean of the Indian School of Business, Ms. Zia Mody, Founder, AZB & Partners, Mr. Raghav Bahl, Founder, Network18. The jury felt what Mr. Ghosh has created so far at Bandhan, which has now been recognized by the RBI with the award of a banking licence combines a business outlook with a clear social benefit – which is what this award is all about. The jury felt that Mr. Ghosh was best suited for this award.

The category 'Entrepreneur with Social Impact' recognizes the most innovative social entrepreneur who has combined passion and entrepreneurial chutzpah to bring dramatic solutions to a major social issue in India.

The eligibility criteria for the said category were

1.    - Leader of an entrepreneurial organization with a significant contribution to society
2.    - Must have been in the business for at least five years and have a sustainable model

Besides Mr. Ghosh, the other nominees for the 'Entrepreneur with Social Impact' in 2014 were Ms. Chetna Sinha, Chairperson & Founder, Mann Deshi Mahila Sahakari Bank, Mr. Haresh Hande, Founder & MD, SELCO Solar, Mr. Murali Vullaganti, Co – founder & CEO, RuralShores and Mr. Ramesh Ramanathan, Chairman, Janalakshmi Financial Services.

Mr. Chandra Shekhar Ghosh, Founder & Mentor, Bandhan received the much coveted 'Entrepreneur of the Year' award by AIMA Managing India Awards 2014. The awards celebrated achievements of outstanding companies, entrepreneurs and managers who have made salutary contribution to nation building.

Mr. Rajnath Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Home Affairs, Government of India presided the event as the Chief Guest and handed over the award to Mr. Ghosh at a glittering ceremony held on August 06, 2014 at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi.

All India Management Association (AIMA) had established The Managing India Awards in 2012 with an aim to promote management in every sphere of life involving varied fields, which reflect the state of advanced development in an economy. The Award aims to recognize the contributions of stalwarts who have set benchmarks of excellence in their respective spheres and all outstanding performers in their own right, who epitomize strength, ingenuity, knowledge, foresight, who excelled in their respective spheres with vision and inspiration and are worthy of emulation and admiration.

AIMA as the national apex body of management profession in the country is committed to enhancing the competence of management profession through its multifaceted activities. In all of AIMA’s history spanning more than 5 decades, it has been in the forefront to foster and enhance excellence in Management, Entrepreneurship and Leadership.

CNBC – TV 18 & Economic Times (ET) were the media partners for the awards.

Mr. Chandra Shekhar Ghosh, Founder & Mentor, Bandhan received the highest stature award in Bengali community 'Serar Sera Bangali' 2014.

Mr. Aveek Sarkar, Chief Editor of the Anandabazar Patrika (ABP) Group handed over this award to Mr. Ghosh at a ceremony held on July 27, 2014 at ITC Sonar, Kolkata.

This award is a pioneering effort to honor eminent Bengali personalities who have not only achieved excellence in their respective fields but have also helped to bring Bengal in the national as well as international limelight. This is an annual event organized by ABP Ananda, the leading Bengali news channel in India to discover and celebrate Bengali's work and achievement which bring pride to the community. Since their inception in 2005, ABP have been organizing this prestigious award ceremony called 'Sera Bangali' to felicitate those Bengalis around the world who have excelled in their respective fields beyond any boundaries. The awards are presented in a plethora of categories like art, film, music, education, business, public affairs, science, sports and lifetime achievement above all Serar Sera.

Bandhan won the Economic Times Bengal Corporate (ETBC) Awards presented by Association of Corporate Advisers & Executives (ACAE) on February 13, 2014 at Taj Bengal, Kolkata. Bandhan bagged this prestigious award in the category of ‘Best CSR Idea’.

This coveted ET Bengal Corporate Awards was handed over by Shri Amit Mitra, Hon’ble Finance, Commerce & Industries Minister, Government of West Bengal to Shri Chandra Shekhar Ghosh, Chairman & Managing Director, Bandhan. Shri Amit Mitra presided as the Chief Guest at this special occasion.

The key objectives of this award are to felicitate eminent organizations and individuals for their outstanding contribution, recognize and celebrate private initiatives towards a much larger purpose, inspire many more to seriously reconsider their policies towards societal good and create 'Corporate Leaders' who shall light the way and set the benchmarks for the nation as a whole. These Bengal Corporate awards are a celebration of corporate excellence, where great leaders who have made a unique difference to the state of Bengal are felicitated. For the second time, Association of Corporate Advisers & Executives, Kolkata & The Economic Times celebrated the success of eminent organizations and individuals for their outstanding contribution to the society.

Skoch Financial Inclusion Award 2013 was conferred upon Bandhan for the initiative it has taken in the field of health. The announcement was made in New Delhi on January 05, 2013 being the Financial Inclusion Day. Bandhan Health Program (BHP) has been operative since 2007.

Skoch Financial Inclusion Awards seek to recognize best practices from the banking and financial services sector for promoting inclusive growth and poverty alleviation from across urban and rural India.

Dr. C Rangarajan, Chairman, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister handed over the award to Ms. Nilima Ghosh, Member, Executive Committee, Bandhan-Konnagar as a fitting culmination to the Financial Inclusion Day. Mr. Partha Pratim Samanta, Deputy General Manager, Operation and Mr. Debasish Ray Choudhuri, CEO, Bandhan Konnagar were also present at the event.

The Jury comprised of industry leaders, domain experts, economists and academicians. Bandhan was also given a certificate of merit for its health initiative. The program has been rated amongst top 50 projects in India during 2012 in an assessment across government, corporates, financial and public sector.

Bandhan netted Skoch Financial Inclusion Award 2012 for its intervention in the promotion of education for children hailing from underprivileged households. The award was presented to Mr. Chandra Shekhar Ghosh, Founder & Mentor, Bandhan on January 05, 2012 in New Delhi as a fitting culmination to the Financial Inclusion Day.

'Bandhan Education Program' was adjudged the best initiative in the category of 'Education' by virtue of which Bandhan won the coveted award.

Bandhan was also given a certificate of merit for its education initiative. The program has been rated amongst top 50 financial inclusion projects in India during 2011 in an assessment across government, corporates, financial and public sector: it is also found worthy of being published as a case study in Inclusion magazine.

Bandhan has bagged the Genius HR Excellence Award 2011 in the category of ‘Best HR Practices’. The award ceremony took place at Hyatt Regency, Kolkata on April 22, 2011. The prestigious award was handed over to Mr. Chandra Shekhar Ghosh, Founder & Mentor, Bandhan. An illustrious body of HR think-tanks represented by Genius Consultants Ltd bestowed the Genius HR Excellence Award 2011. The HR Excellence Award recognizes the best in-class HR Professionals whose performance excel in terms of quality, delivery, achievements, value and innovation in HR gamut.

The prestigious Skoch Financial Inclusion Award 2011 was conferred upon Bandhan for extending grant-based, sustainable support paraphernalia to the most economically displaced and marginalized population. The announcement was made at the awards ceremony at Hotel Shangri-La, New Delhi on January 05, 2011 being the Financial Inclusion Day.

The award was presented to Mr. Chandra Shekhar Ghosh, Founder & Mentor, Bandhan by Dr. C. Rangarajan, Chairman, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. The program that helped Bandhan earn the accolade is 'Chartering into Unventured Frontiers-Targeting the Hard Core Poor (CUF-THP)'. It is directed towards bringing about holistic and inspirational development in the lives of the most deprived section of the society thereby helping them graduate to mainstream finance.

26th October, 2009 goes down as a red letter day in the annals of Bandhan. Bandhan was conferred the ‘Institution of the Year’ Award as a part of HSBC ACCESS Microfinance India Awards.

The Award was presented on the inaugural day of the Microfinance India Summit- October 26, 2009 held at Taj Palace, New Delhi. The Award will coincide every year, starting from 2009, with the Microfinance India Summit and we are extremely elated to share that Bandhan is the first recipient of the Award. Bandhan was awarded for demonstrating excellence in financial performance and creating tremendous social impact through its microfinance operations.

Mr.Chandra Shekhar Ghosh, Chairman and Managing Director, Bandhan received the coveted award from Mr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Government of India and Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi, Chairman, NABARD. Ms. Cherie Blaire, Founder, Cherie Blaire Foundation for Women travelled all the way from United Kingdom to attend the auspicious occasion and encourage people working for poverty alleviation and women empowerment.

Bandhan was recognized with the prestigious Skoch Challenger Award for its Financial Inclusion on 19th March, 2008. The award was conferred in collaboration with Planning Commission, Ministry Of Panchayati Raj, National Informatics Centre and Ministry Of Communications & IT. The award was handed over by Dr. C. Rangarajan, Honorable Chairman, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, Government of India.

About Skoch: Skoch Challenger Award is one of the highest civilian honors in the country that recognizes people, projects and institutions for their extraordinary achievements in contributing to society. Skoch Challenger Awards are independently instituted and solely conferred by Skoch Consultancy Services Pvt. Ltd. No institutional, corporate or government endorsement or support is either expected or accepted for the awards to maintain editorial independence.

Dr. C. Rangarajan, Honourable Chairman, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister presenting Skoch challenger award 2008 to Mr. Chandra Shekhar Ghosh, Founder & Mentor, Bandhan on March 19, 2008 at New Delhi.

Chairman & Managing Director, Mr. Chandra Shekhar Ghosh was bestowed with the honor of “Senior Ashoka Fellow” in September, 2007 in recognition of his vision, commitment and innovative solutions to some of society’s most pressing challenges.

About Ashoka: Innovators for the public is a global organization with its headquarters in Washington, USA. It invests in fellowships to individuals who are crafting new solutions for existing social problems. The recipients of Ashoka fellowships are “social entrepreneurs” who are working on new ideas in any field of development.

Over 1,700 Ashoka fellows are currently working in 52 countries in diverse fields such as education, health, human rights etc. to bring about advances in areas of social concern. Mr. Ghosh being felicitated in Pune as he is elected as Senior Ashoka Fellow .

Bandhan ranked 2nd in the World and 1st in India by Forbes first ever list of World’s top 50 MFIs in December, 2007. The Micro Finance Institutions were chosen from a field of 641 micro credit providers.

The list was prepared by the Micro Finance Information Exchange under the direction of Forbes Magazine according to scale; which is based on size of their gross loan portfolio, efficiency; which considers operating expense and the cost per borrower as a percent of the gross national income per capita of their country of operation, risk; which looks at the quality of their land port folio measured as a combination of return on equity and return on assets.

About Forbes: Renowned international magazine covers latest information having global perspective.

Bandhan was conferred the ‘Pro Poor Innovation Challenge Award’ in March, 2006 by the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), an affiliate of the World Bank.

The award was given in recognition of innovation in financial services for very poor clients.

About PPIC : What does it take to offer sustainable financial services to economically, socially, or Geographically marginalized clients? To answer this question, CGAP initiated the Pro Poor Innovation Challenge (PPIC) award program in 2000.

CGAP's Pro-Poor Innovation Challenge shows that microfinance institutions can reach poorer and marginalized clients if they combine management commitment with market-responsive services and practices that support innovation. Since receiving the award almost all the winners of the PPIC increased their number of poor clients, while collectively adding over half a million clients to their rolls through innovations in products, delivery mechanisms, and client assessment tools.

The CGAP PPIC program demonstrates that the financial frontier can be deepened to reach poorer people, and that sustainable services can be designed to reduce their vulnerability and increase their economic well being. It recognizes and supports initiatives carried out by MFIs using innovative models and methodologies to reach client populations normally excluded from microfinance because of economic, geographic, or cultural factors.