Uday Kotak: The Visionary Who Built a Banking Empire from Scratch
Introduction When most people imagine starting a bank, they picture billions in capital, government connections, or inherited wealth. But Uday Kotak proved that a clear vision, iron will, and financial discipline could take you from a ₹30 lakh startup to one of India’s largest private banks. In a country dominated by state-owned financial institutions and legacy banks, Uday Kotak carved his own lane , building Kotak Mahindra Bank into a name synonymous with innovation, trust, and integrity. The Beginning: A Bold Bet on Finance Uday Kotak was born into a Gujarati business family in Mumbai. Though he came from a background of traditional trading, his eyes were set on modern finance. After earning an MBA from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, he launched Kotak Capital Management Finance Ltd. in 1985 with a loan of ₹30 lakh from family and friends. While the stock markets and NBFC sector were heating up in the late ’80s and ’90s, Kotak took a cautious yet calculate...