In an era where financial inclusion is more of a policy aspiration than a ground reality, Lokesh Khare, the dynamic CEO of DBNPE (DBN Payment Solution), is proving that change doesn’t always begin at the top—it can also rise from the grassroots. With a blend of visionary thinking and relentless execution, Lokesh Khare has built a B2B fintech empire that is not only growing at breakneck speed but also transforming lives in some of India’s most underserved regions.
The Origin of a Fintech Disruptor
When Lokesh Khare launched DBNPE, the fintech market was already crowded with payment wallets, neobanks, and aggregator platforms. But most of these players catered to urban users or digital-savvy customers. Lokesh saw what others overlooked: a massive gap in rural and semi-urban India, where millions of citizens remained outside the banking net due to inaccessibility, paperwork hassles, and lack of trust.
This insight became the cornerstone of DBNPE’s mission:
“To build the most inclusive, scalable, and empowering fintech platform tailored for Bharat.”
From the beginning, DBNPE was not designed to compete with banks—it was built to complement and expand them. Lokesh envisioned a platform where customers wouldn’t need to visit multiple bank branches for different services. Instead, all essential financial offerings—from account opening and bill payment to AEPS and personal loans—would be available at a single, locally trusted DBNPE outlet.
A Banking Mall for Bharat
Under Lokesh’s leadership, DBNPE has grown into what many now call a “Banking Mall for Bharat.” Every DBNPE merchant store mimics the setup, feel, and functionality of a modern banking branch. But what truly sets it apart is its accessibility.
“Why should a farmer have to travel 15 kilometers to the nearest branch, wait in line, fill confusing forms, and still not get clarity?” asks Khare. “At DBNPE, our vision is to bring the bank to his village—through a trusted merchant.”
Through this model, DBNPE has enabled:
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Onboarding of 50+ Banks and NBFCs as Lending Service Providers (LSPs).
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Integration with 36+ Financial Institutions offering insurance, investment, and loan products.
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Deployment of 2,548 active distributors.
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Creation of a vast merchant network of over 1,52,684 stores, across India.
These merchants, trained in customer support and equipped with DBNPE’s proprietary tools, act as local banking assistants. They are not just service providers but also community ambassadors, building financial literacy and trust in areas that traditional banks have long ignored.
A Tech-Driven, Human-Centric Approach
While DBNPE operates at scale using cutting-edge technology, the heart of the platform remains human-centric. Every product, feature, and interface is designed with the rural user in mind.
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The interface is vernacular-friendly.
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The onboarding process is simple and fast.
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Customers can access services in minutes, whether it’s loan disbursal, bill payment, insurance, or PAN card application.
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No intimidating counters or formalities—just personalized service.
Unlike traditional bank staff who are often overburdened and disconnected from the rural experience, DBNPE merchants speak the local language, understand local needs, and are incentivized to serve—not push—financial products.
This model has drastically improved trust, convenience, and adoption of formal financial services in previously excluded geographies.
From Startup to Ecosystem: DBNPE as “Bank of Banks”
One of the most revolutionary aspects of DBNPE is that it doesn’t act as a single bank—it functions as a “Bank of Banks.” A customer walking into a DBNPE store can choose to access services from any of the 50+ partner banks or NBFCs, all through a single unified platform.
This multi-lender and multi-service architecture offers unmatched variety and freedom of choice. Whether someone prefers a government bank for their pension scheme or a private lender for a quick loan, DBNPE enables them all—without ever stepping into a bank branch.
A Profitable, Scalable Model Where Others Struggle
What’s even more remarkable is that DBNPE has achieved what many fintech startups still dream of—profitability.
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With monthly loan disbursements exceeding ₹2 Crore across its partner lenders,
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A strong subscription-based distributor network,
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And commission earnings from service providers,
DBNPE has managed to build a sustainable, bootstrapped business that doesn’t rely on excessive venture funding or aggressive burn strategies.
While many urban-focused fintechs continue to operate at a loss, DBNPE is generating real revenue, creating real jobs, and delivering real value on the ground.
A Vision Rooted in Inclusion, Empowerment, and Scale
Lokesh Khare’s mission is not just to digitize finance—it’s to democratize it. For him, DBNPE is not merely a business; it’s a movement to make banking truly inclusive, accessible, and human—starting from the last village in the last district.
His motto says it all:
“Why go to different banks when all banks can come to you—through DBNPE.”
What Lies Ahead
The journey is far from over. DBNPE is actively expanding into:
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G2C Services (Government to Citizen), making it easier for citizens to access government subsidies, schemes, and ID-based services.
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Healthcare and teleconsultation tie-ups for rural populations.
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Educational and upskilling programs through its merchant network.
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A robust digital lending ecosystem with AI-driven credit profiling.
With over 1.5 lakh merchant stores, hundreds of financial partners, and millions of lives impacted, DBNPE is no longer just a fintech startup—it’s a national infrastructure layer for financial empowerment.
And at the heart of it all is Lokesh Khare, a man with a dream not of building the next big unicorn, but of building India’s most trusted rural banking platform—one merchant, one village, and one customer at a time.