In a landmark move that could redefine the landscape of Indian banking, slice, a fintech startup with a mission to democratize credit, has launched its revolutionary slice UPI credit card and inaugurated India’s first UPI-powered bank branch and ATM in Bengaluru. This move signals a bold leap into the future of finance, built entirely around UPI – India’s most widely adopted digital payments platform.

The newly introduced slice UPI credit card comes with no joining or annual fees and is designed to make credit as seamless as a regular UPI payment. With a strong focus on accessibility, speed, and simplicity, the product aims to bring formal credit to millions of underserved Indians. Users can now make payments by simply scanning QR codes or completing UPI transactions, drawing directly from their approved credit line. The card also offers up to 3% cashback on all purchases and includes a feature called slice in 3, enabling users to split their expenses into three interest-free installments instantly.

“Credit on UPI will be the next big leap for credit access and inclusion in this country”, said Satish Kumar Kalra, MD & CEO of slice. “We are building banking from the ground up integrating technology, simplicity, and trust. This is not just a product launch; it’s a complete reimagination of how banking can serve every Indian”.

The innovation comes at a time when UPI has already revolutionized digital payments, with over 400 million users benefiting from it. However, despite this massive adoption, more than 200 million users remain without access to formal credit, often forced to rely on informal sources with unfavorable terms. slice’s offering directly addresses this gap, positioning credit on UPI as the next evolution in financial inclusion.

The launch of the first physical UPI-first bank branch in Koramangala, Bengaluru, is another testament to slice’s ambition. Unlike traditional banks, this digital branch emphasizes a customer-centric design with instant onboarding, self-service digital kiosks, and UPI-integrated ATM services for both cash deposits and withdrawals. The experience aims to turn routine banking into an intuitive and delightful journey.

Rajan Bajaj, Founder and Executive Director of slice, emphasized the larger vision behind this bold initiative. “The credit card is a 75-year-old product. In India, it must be reimagined with UPI at its core. Our focus is on getting the credit experience right, rather than just layering digital features onto a legacy product. The real opportunity is to bring relevant, responsible credit to 300 million Indian consumers, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities”.

Bajaj further added, “We are addressing two key challenges fraud prevention at scale and the cost of banking operations. Our UPI-powered ATMs help reduce the cost of deposits and withdrawals, making basic banking economically viable for a billion people in the long run”.

slice’s entry into the physical banking space is also significant from an industry perspective. Following its merger with North East Small Finance Bank (NESFB), slice now operates as a licensed bank with end-to-end control over its core banking systems and underwriting processes. This independence from third-party banking partners allows slice to innovate faster and more securely, while building trust with a broader customer base.

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The Koramangala branch will serve as a model for slice’s upcoming physical expansion, with plans to establish more UPI-first digital branches across the country. Each of these locations will offer services such as:

With these developments, slice is not just offering a product it is laying the foundation for a future where digital banking is inclusive, intuitive, and universally accessible.