10 Best Bank Penny Stocks List

The banking sector plays a crucial role in the economic growth of any country. Banks offer citizens safe storage of their hard-earned money and, at the same time, give loans to businesses and other individuals so that they can achieve their goals. You might have heard about HDFC Bank, SBI, etc. and may want to invest in these stocks, but most of these stocks have a high price. If you are searching for bank stocks with a share price below ₹100, then continue reading.

In this blog, we will discuss the best bank penny stocks listed on the Indian stock exchange in 2024. We are going to examine their history, current market position, and benefits and risks of including them in your investment portfolio.

What is the Meaning of Bank Penny Stocks?

A bank penny stock is a share issued by a bank with a current market price below ₹100. These stocks have a low price, which makes it easier for new investors with a small capital to begin their investing journey. Like any other country, the banking or financial sector is the backbone of the Indian economy. Some of the banks mentioned below are government banks, while others are small finance banks that have recently been listed on the stock exchange. Investors can consider these stocks for investments as these stocks have good future growth potential. A thorough analysis is necessary before investing to identify the best investment opportunities. Below, we are providing the list of the best 10 Bank penny stocks listed in India, trading below ₹100.

Best Bank Penny Stocks in India – Top List

An overview of the best bank penny stocks in India are:

1. Dhanlaxmi Bank Ltd. 

Incorporated in 1927 in Thrissur, Kerala, the bank has 261 Branches, 282 ATMs, and 17 BCs across India. Dhanlaxmi provides services like personal banking, corporate banking, NRI banking, micro & agri banking, SME banking, and forex & trade finance with a focus on customized and personalized services. Its total business reached Rs.24,687 crore as of March 31, 2024, from Rs.23,205 crore as of March 31, 2023, registering a growth of 6.39%. Deposits recorded a Y-o-Y growth of 7.03% from 2023 to 2024.

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2. ESAF Small Finance Bank Ltd.

Started as an NGO in 1992, ESAF Small Finance Bank (ESAF SFB) is the new age social bank. With its presence in urban, semi-urban and rural areas, ESAF’s primary focus is now on expanding its presence in unbanked and underbanked areas. Currently, ESAF SFB has a network of 756 branches, 646 ATMs and 1,097 Customer Service Centres across India. ESAF offers products to its customers, ranging from savings accounts, personal accounts, deposits, loans, micro banking, cards, third-party products, foreign exchanges, etc. ESAF also offers a unique scheme by the name of the Hrudaya deposit scheme, through which the bank provides its customers an opportunity to be a part of economic development.

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3. Utkarsh Small Finance Bank Ltd.

With a primary focus on rural and semi-urban locations, Utkarsh Small Finance Bank provides microfinance to unserved parts of the country. Incorporated on April 30, 2016, as a small financed bank headquartered in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Utkarsh Small Finance Bank provides microfinance loans based on the Joint Liability Group (JLG) model to individuals and MSMEs. Apart from loan services, the bank offers digital products such as online account opening services, digital onboarding, internet and mobile banking.

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Read Also: Best Highest Dividend Paying Penny Stocks

4. South Indian Bank Ltd.

South Indian Bank is a Kerala-based bank operating across India with a legacy of over 95 years. The bank has 955 branches, 1162 ATMs and 131 CRMs across India. South Indian Bank meets customer needs by providing a range of services such as savings and current accounts, personal, home, and business loans, digital banking solutions, and investment and insurance products. Around 97% of the transactions are digital. The bank introduced the SIB Mirror+ banking app with a unique feature like e-lock and e-limit available in 9 different languages. 

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5. Equitas Small Finance Bank Ltd.

Equitas Small Finance Bank started in 2016 and has headquarters in Chennai, then went public in October 2020. Equitas operates with a focus on unserved and underserved segments in India, offering a wide range of banking products and services. The bank focuses on the informal segments of the society’s well-diversified, high-quality asset portfolio, which enables them to navigate economic cycles. Equitas partnered with Niyo to launch NiyoX. 

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6. Ujjivan Small Finance Bank Ltd. 

Ujjivan Small Finance Bank Ltd. is a prominent small finance bank in India and was established on February 1, 2017. The company is headquartered in Bangalore. It evolved from Ujjivan Financial Services, a non-banking financial company founded in 2005, to cater to the economically poor. The bank provides various financial products, including savings and current accounts, fixed and recurring deposits, and different loan options like micro, home, and small business loans.

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7. Punjab & Sind Bank 

Punjab & Sind Bank was established on June 24, 1908, in Amritsar by Bhai Vir Singh, Sir Sunder Singh Majitha, and Sardar Tarlochan Singh. It is a public sector bank with its headquarters in New Delhi. The bank provides a wide range of financial products and services, such as savings and current accounts, home loans, and options for bill and tax payments through its digital platform, PSB UnIC. As of 2024, Punjab & Sind Bank has 1,564 branches across India, with 635 of those in Punjab, and operates 25 zonal offices nationwide.

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8. Bank of Maharashtra 

Bank of Maharashtra was founded on September 16, 1935, and began operations on February 8, 1936, in Pune. After being nationalized in 1969, it has developed into a significant public sector bank in India. The bank provides various financial products and services, such as savings and current accounts, fixed and recurring deposits, and various loan options. As of 2021, its branch network has grown to over 2,000 branches nationwide. In recent years, the Bank of Maharashtra has prioritized technological advancements, fully implementing its Core Banking Solution (CBS) and expanding its digital services to improve customer experience.

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9. IDFC First Bank Ltd.

IDFC FIRST Bank was founded in 2015 as a subsidiary of IDFC Limited and shifted from infrastructure financing to retail banking after merging with Capital First in 2018. The bank provides various services, such as consumer banking, credit cards, home loans, personal loans, and wealth management. In 2024, IDFC FIRST Bank completed a reverse merger with its parent company, IDFC Limited, which further bolstered its position in the market. As of March 2024, the bank had over 41,000 employees. It remains committed to expanding its retail banking services throughout India.

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10. Central Bank of India 

Central Bank of India was founded on December 21, 1911, by Sir Sorabji Pochkhanawala, with Sir Pherozeshah Mehta as its first chairman. It holds the distinction of being the first Indian commercial bank that was entirely owned and managed by Indians. The bank provides various financial products and services, such as savings and current accounts, fixed deposits, loans, and digital banking options. As of March 2023, it has a network of 4,539 branches throughout India, demonstrating its dedication to customer-focused banking. The bank is also committed to enhancing its digital services to improve customer experience.

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Read Also: Top 10 Government Bank Stocks in India

Market Information

Key Performance Indicators  

Benefits of Investing in the Top 10 Best Bank Penny Stocks

The benefits of investing in the top 10 best bank penny stocks are:

• Stunning Growth Potential – These banks usually have less market share, but they are growing rapidly by providing financial products and services to niche markets. The bank’s future success might bring high returns for investors.
• Very Suitable for Beginners – Penny stocks are inexpensive investments and, thus, are perfect for starters intending to not risk a lot when learning the stock market basics.
• Rural Focus – Small banks often place a great emphasis on delivering financial services to the underserved segments of society. This customer base is often overlooked by established financial institutions, and this causes those areas to have high growth.

Risks of Investing in the Top 10 Best Bank Penny Stocks

The risks of investing in the top 10 best bank penny stocks are:

• Less Public Information – Penny stocks are issued by companies that have less information available for analysis as compared to established companies. This makes analyzing these companies difficult.
• Price volatility – Penny stocks tend to be very volatile due to their small market capitalization, which may result in a sudden decline in stock prices and, hence, major losses.
• Low Liquidity – These stocks may have low liquidity, making it difficult for investors to buy and sell without significantly affecting the stock price.

Future of Bank Penny Stocks in India

Investors are more likely to experience major growth in the banking sector in India. Over the next five to ten years, credit demand is expected to be strong. The government of India’s expenditure on infrastructure projects and government’s Production Linked Incentive schemes (PLI) for incentivizing manufacturing, public investment and capital expenditures shall drive these credit demands and support the growth of these bank penny companies. Indians could also see a changing landscape of digital banking as AI and other technologies emerge, which also leads to growth and presents lucrative investment opportunities for investors. 

Conclusion

Hedge funds and experienced investors have the knowledge that help them locate the best bank penny stocks in India that, in a way, assist them in diversifying their portfolios. However, investing in these stocks can be risky due to volatility, fewer analysts following the stock, etc. As the growth prospects of the Indian banking sector improve exponentially through technology and increased borrowing, these stocks will be essential while planning for a diversified portfolio. It is advised to consult a financial advisor before investing.

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