List of Top 13 Foreign Banks in India 2025

The Indian banking system is made up of different types of banks, including domestic and international banks. India has one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and its banking sector plays a huge role in supporting this growth. While there are many strong Indian banks that serve millions of people, foreign banks have also made a big mark in the Indian banking space. These banks come from different parts of the world and bring with them global experience, advanced technology, and high-quality services. Over the years, many foreign banks have set up their branches and offices in India, mainly in big cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and Chennai. Foreign banks play a big role in India’s financial growth by bringing in new ideas, technology, and services. They help various sectors, like individuals and businesses, by providing specialized services like trade finance and investment banking.

One of the reasons foreign banks operate in India is because of the country’s huge market and growing demand for financial services. India is seen as a land of opportunities, and foreign banks want to be a part of this growth story. At the same time, their presence also helps the Indian banking industry become more competitive and efficient.

In this article, we will take a look at some of the top foreign banks operating in India. These banks are known for their strong reputation, high-quality services, and significant contribution to India’s financial sector. Whether you are a student learning about the banking system, a job seeker looking for opportunities, or just someone curious about international finance, this list will help you understand who the key foreign players are in India’s banking scene.

What are Foreign Banks?

Foreign banks are banks that have their headquarters in a different country but operate in another country by opening branches or offices there. For example, if a bank from the United States or the United Kingdom opens a branch in India to offer banking services, it is called a foreign bank in India. These banks come to India to do business, serve customers, and take part in the growing Indian economy. They follow Indian laws and rules set by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), but they also bring with them the experience and advanced systems from their home countries. Foreign banks usually set up their offices in big cities like Mumbai, Delhi, or Bangalore and focus more on services for big companies, international businesses, and wealthy individuals. They may not have as many branches as Indian banks, but they offer high-quality services like trade finance, investment banking, and foreign exchange. Many foreign banks also help Indian businesses connect with global markets. In short, foreign banks are international banks that work in India and add value to the Indian banking system by offering global expertise, better technology, and a wide range of financial services.

Bank of America :

Bank of America, often called BoA, is one of the largest and most well-known banks in the world. It is an American multinational investment bank and financial services company, with its headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.

It is one of the “Big Four” banks in the United States, along with JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo. Bank of America serves individuals, businesses, and large institutions by offering a wide range of financial products and services.

Bank of America operates in more than 35 countries and serves clients across Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. It is especially strong in corporate banking, investment banking, and wealth management.

• Started operations in India: 1964
• Headquarters in India: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Other offices: Gurugram, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad
• Regulator: Operates under the supervision of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

Citibank N.A :

Citibank N.A. is a major American international bank and a part of Citigroup, one of the world’s largest financial services companies. The “N.A.” stands for “National Association,” which means it’s officially registered and chartered to operate as a national bank in the United States.

Citibank has a global presence and offers a wide range of services like personal banking, corporate banking, credit cards, loans, investment banking, and wealth management.

Citibank has been in India since 1902, over 120 years! It was one of the oldest foreign banks in the country and played a major role in modernizing India’s banking sector.

• First branch in India: Kolkata (1902)
• Headquarters in India: Mumbai
• Other major offices: Chennai, Pune, Bengaluru, Gurugram

Standard Chartered Bank :

Standard Chartered Bank is a British multinational bank. Even though it’s based in London, UK, it mainly operates in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. That’s different from many Western banks that mostly focus on the US and Europe.

It is one of the oldest and most respected foreign banks in India, and it offers a wide range of banking services for both individuals (retail customers) and businesses (corporate and commercial clients).

• Started operations in India: 1858
• First office: Kolkata (then called Calcutta)
• India headquarters: Mumbai
• Number of branches in India: Over 100 branches in more than 40 cities
• Regulated by: Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

J.P. Morgan Chase Bank N.A. :

J.P. Morgan Chase Bank N.A. is one of the largest and most powerful banks in the world. It is based in the United States and is part of the JPMorgan Chase & Co. group, a giant in the global financial world.

The “N.A.” stands for “National Association,” which means the bank is registered and operates as a national bank in the U.S.

• Headquarters in India: Mumbai
• Other major offices: Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Delhi
• Registered as: A foreign bank under the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
• Employee strength in India: Tens of thousands, mostly in technology, operations, and support roles

Mashreq Bank PSC :

Mashreq Bank PSC is one of the oldest and leading banks in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It was founded in 1967 and is based in Dubai. The bank offers a wide range of financial services to individuals, businesses, and government institutions.

The “PSC” stands for Public Shareholding Company, which means it’s a public company where shares are traded on the stock exchange.

Although it is not as globally famous as banks like Citibank or HSBC, Mashreq Bank is a strong and trusted bank in the Middle East and has slowly expanded to other countries, including India.

• Registered with: Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
• India Office Location: Mumbai (main office)
• Type of banking: Mainly corporate and wholesale banking (not retail banking for the public)
• Customers in India: Large companies, exporters/importers, and business clients

Sonali Bank Ltd. :

Sonali Bank Ltd. is the largest state-owned (government-owned) bank of Bangladesh. It was established to provide banking services to the people and businesses of Bangladesh and to support the country’s economic growth.

Sonali Bank offers all types of banking services, including savings accounts, loans, remittance services, trade finance, and more. It plays a key role in handling government transactions and international trade, especially between Bangladesh and other countries like India.

• Registered as: A foreign bank in India
• Head Office in India: Kolkata
• Other offices: Branches in Kolkata and New Delhi
• Regulated by: Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

United Overseas Bank Ltd :

United Overseas Bank Ltd., commonly known as UOB, is a leading bank based in Singapore. It is one of the top banks in Southeast Asia, known for being financially strong, stable, and trusted by millions of customers.

UOB offers a full range of banking services such as:

• Personal banking (accounts, loans, credit cards)
• Business banking (loans, trade finance, etc.)
• Corporate and investment banking
• Wealth management

• Entered India: UOB started its banking operations in India in 2009
• Type of bank in India: It is a foreign bank licensed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
• Office location: Mumbai (main branch in India)

Barclays Bank Plc. :

Barclays Bank PLC is a British multinational bank. It is one of the oldest and most well-known banks in the world, with a history of over 330 years.

The bank offers services like:

• Personal and business banking
• Corporate banking
• Investment banking
• Wealth and asset management

“PLC” means Public Limited Company, which means its shares are listed on the stock exchange, and the public can invest in it.

• Type: Foreign bank (registered with the Reserve Bank of India)
• Main Office: Mumbai (Maharashtra)
• Other presence: Offices in Delhi, Pune, and other cities
• Focus: Corporate banking, investment banking, and support services (not personal savings accounts)

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank Ltd. :

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) is one of the largest banks in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is a government-supported bank, meaning the government of Abu Dhabi owns a large part of it.

ADCB offers a full range of banking services, including:

• Personal banking (for individuals)
• Business and corporate banking
• Investment services
• Islamic banking

It is known for modern banking, strong digital services, and reliable support for businesses.

• Type of Bank: Registered as a foreign bank in India
• Main Office: Mumbai
• Regulated by: Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
• Focus in India: Corporate banking and trade services (not retail banking)

Bank of China :

Bank of China (BOC) is one of the largest and oldest banks in China. It is a government-owned bank, meaning it is controlled by the Chinese government. It plays a very important role in China’s economy and also does a lot of international business.

BOC is not just a bank in China — it has a global network, which makes it one of the biggest banks in the world.

• Entered India: 2018
• Registered as: A foreign bank under the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
• Main Office Location: Mumbai
• The bank’s main aim in India is to support trade and investment between India and China

HSBC Bank :

HSBC stands for The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation.
It is a British multinational bank with its headquarters in London, UK.
HSBC operates in many countries around the world, including India.

• Global expertise: Offers advanced services based on international standards
• International connections: Useful for businesses and individuals with cross-border needs
• Strong brand: Trusted name worldwide
• Digital services: Offers modern online and mobile banking

SBM Bank :

SBM Bank India is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the State Bank of Mauritius (SBM Group), making it a foreign bank operating in India. It began its journey as a bank in India on December 1, 2018, and was the first foreign bank to receive a universal banking license via the Wholly Owned Subsidiary (WOS) route from the RBI.

Its parent, the SBM Group, is a major banking and financial services provider based in Mauritius, with operations across Asia and Africa.

Deutsche Bank :

• Deutsche Bank is a global bank from Germany, founded in 1870.
• The name “Deutsche Bank” means “German Bank” in German.
• It is one of the largest financial institutions in the world, with offices in over 70 countries.

• Deutsche Bank has been in India since 1980.
• It operates in India as a foreign bank, which means it’s a global bank doing business under Indian banking rules.
• It is regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

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