Gold loans jump 50% to Rs 19 lakh crore in FY26, outpacing all retail credit

Gold-backed lending became the fastest-growing retail credit segment in FY26, hitting Rs 19 lakh crore on record bullion prices. Total retail loans grew 17% to Rs 170 lakh crore, while auto originations fell 11.6% QoQ and two-wheeler loans dropped 22.1% post-festive.

— Source published Thu, 21 May, 2026, 01:20 IST · First seen Thu, 21 May, 2026, 01:37 IST · Source ET Small Business

What happened

Indian gold loan market · Gold loans surged 50% YoY to Rs 19 lakh crore by March, the fastest-growing retail credit segment, driven by record gold prices and

Key facts

  • Rs 19 lakh crore gold loans
  • 50% YoY growth
  • Rs 170 lakh crore retail loans
  • 17% YoY
  • gold +36% USD
  • auto loans -11.6% QoQ
  • two-wheeler loans -22.1%

Why this matters

Evaluate acquisitions or partnerships with specialized gold-loan NBFCs and fintech originators to capture the fastest-growing retail credit pool before valuations reprice on the Rs 19 lakh crore milestone.