Biography of Anurag Sinha: Co-founder & CEO off OneScore (FPL Technologies), OneCard & Walnut App
Biography of Anurag Sinha:
Early Beginnings and Education
Anurag Sinha's journey in the financial sector is deeply
rooted in a strong academic foundation. He began his educational journey at the
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Varanasi, where he earned a Bachelor of
Technology (B.Tech) in Electrical Engineering. This technical background
equipped him with the analytical skills necessary for his future ventures.
Following this, Anurag pursued a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from
the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore. His MBA provided him with
strategic and managerial insights that would later influence his approach to
financial technology.
Career Start at ICICI Bank
Anurag Sinha’s professional career took off at ICICI Bank,
where he spent over a decade. During his tenure, he held several key roles that
significantly impacted the bank's operations. He was deeply involved in the
management of payments, credit cards, and unsecured lending. Anurag led
initiatives in strategic investment, focusing on areas like UID (Unique
Identification), NFC (Near Field Communication) payments, insurance payments,
and financial inclusion. His leadership in these areas was pivotal in shaping
the bank's strategy and expanding its capabilities in digital payments and
financial services.
Pioneering Digital Banking
One of Anurag's notable achievements at ICICI Bank was his
involvement in launching India’s first online-only direct banking platform,
known as b2. This platform was a significant innovation, offering a range of
financial products including savings accounts, loans, and credit cards, all
through a fully digital interface. The b2 platform was developed in just 13
months and was awarded the Asian Banker Award for its technological innovation.
This achievement highlighted Anurag’s ability to drive digital transformation
in banking.
Founding Walnut App
In 2016, Anurag co-founded Walnut App, a groundbreaking
personal finance mobile application. Walnut redefined how users managed their
finances by automating expense tracking, providing real-time insights, and
facilitating peer-to-peer payments and bill payments—all without requiring bank
passwords. The app’s innovative use of technology to analyze SMS and other data
sources allowed users to gain a clear picture of their financial health.
Walnut’s success and its acquisition by Capital Float in 2018 underscored
Anurag’s vision and capability in fintech innovation.
The Genesis of OneCard
Following the success of Walnut, Anurag shifted his focus to
revolutionizing the traditional credit card experience with the creation of
OneCard. Launched as India’s premier metal credit card, OneCard was designed
for a mobile-first audience. It offers a fully digital consumer journey,
integrating a smart rewards program within its app. OneCard was developed in
collaboration with banks to ensure a seamless and sophisticated user
experience, meeting the demands of young, tech-savvy Indians.
Expanding Financial Tools
Alongside OneCard, Anurag also introduced OneScore, an app
designed to help users find, understand, and monitor their credit scores for
free. OneScore provides users with insights to improve their credit scores and
alerts them to changes, all without the clutter of advertisements or spam. This
tool empowers users to take control of their financial health with ease and
clarity.
Leadership at FPL Technologies
As the CEO of FPL Technologies, Anurag continues to lead the
charge in financial technology innovation. Under his leadership, FPL
Technologies has seen significant growth, with OneCard and OneScore becoming
integral tools for users seeking advanced financial solutions. The company has
attracted substantial backing from prominent investors, including Sequoia
Capital, Matrix Partners, QED Investors, Temasek, GIC, Janchor Partners, and
Hummingbird, which reflects the strong market confidence in Anurag’s vision.
Biography of Anurag Sinha: Co-founder & CEO off OneScore (FPL Technologies) OneCard & Walnut /Entrepreneur/Success story of Anurag Sinha /Life story
Strategic Investments and Advisory Roles
Anurag’s expertise extends beyond his direct ventures. He
serves on the Global Advisory Board at Shoolini University, where he
contributes his strategic insights to the academic and business communities.
His role involves advising on financial and technological matters, helping to
bridge the gap between academia and industry.
Experience in Structuring and Securitization
Before embarking on his entrepreneurial journey, Anurag
gained valuable experience in structuring and securitizing distressed assets at
ICICI Bank. He managed the sale of these assets and expanded the market for
non-performing assets by creating new buyer categories and implementing
risk-participation structures. His efforts in this area improved the performance
of securitized assets and facilitated secondary sales through public and
private auctions.
High Yield Securities and Investment Banking
Anurag also made significant contributions in high yield
securities and investment banking. He was instrumental in setting up ICICI
Bank’s High Yield Securities desk, executing complex transactions, and advising
on financial strategies. His work included structuring rupee convertibles in
the Indian market and developing investment vehicles for Indian FCCBs (Foreign
Currency Convertible Bonds).
Disha Credit Counseling Venture
Anurag’s commitment to financial education is evident in his
involvement with Disha Credit Counseling, a non-profit initiative aimed at
providing financial education and debt settlement services. He helped establish
six credit counseling centers across India, focusing on helping distressed
consumers manage their finances and improve their financial literacy.
Building Commercial Cards Portfolio
In the early stages of his career, Anurag was responsible
for building India’s largest profitable commercial cards portfolio at ICICI
Bank. He launched and scaled numerous industry-first products, catering to
various customer segments including small and medium businesses, corporate
clients, and rural areas. This achievement demonstrated his ability to innovate
and drive growth in the commercial card sector.
Contributions to Sarvatra Technologies
Anurag also served on the Board of Directors at Sarvatra
Technologies, where he played a key role in guiding the company's strategic
direction. His involvement with Sarvatra Technologies highlighted his expertise
in steering technology-driven financial solutions and contributing to the
growth of financial technology companies.
Founding HCL Infosystems
Anurag’s career began with HCL Infosystems, where he worked
as a software engineer. This early experience provided him with a strong
technical foundation and an understanding of software development, which later
influenced his approach to financial technology innovations.
Legacy and Future Vision
Anurag Sinha’s career reflects a profound commitment to
advancing financial technology. From pioneering digital banking solutions to
transforming the credit card experience, his contributions have reshaped the
financial landscape. As he continues to lead FPL Technologies, Anurag’s vision
for the future remains focused on creating seamless, user-centric financial
solutions that drive innovation and improve financial management for users
across India.
A timeline of Anurag Sinha’s career and key milestones:
Early 2000s: Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Electrical Engineering from IIT Varanasi.
2002-2004: Master of Business Administration (MBA) from IIM
Bangalore.
Advanced managerial and strategic education.
2004-2015: ICICI Bank.
Managed payments, credit cards, and unsecured lending;
launched India’s first online-only direct banking platform, b2.
2016: Co-founded Walnut App.
Introduced innovative personal finance management app;
acquired by Capital Float in 2018.
2018: Launched OneCard.
Created India’s premier metal credit card with a fully
digital experience.
2019: Introduced OneScore.
Launched app to help users monitor and improve their credit
scores.
2020-Present: CEO of FPL Technologies.
Leading growth and innovation in financial technology;
OneCard and OneScore have gained substantial market backing.
Ongoing: Global Advisory Board Member at Shoolini
University.
Advises on financial and technological matters, bridging
academia and industry.
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