Never Trust These Indian Banks: Job Seekers and Customers, Beware!

🚫 Why You Should Avoid for Banking and Working at IDFC First Bank, Bandhan Bank, City Union Bank, and Equitas Small Finance Bank — Especially as a Woman

Many job seekers—especially women—often look for banking roles thinking they offer safety, structure, and professional growth. But if you’re considering one of these four banks, here’s why you might want to think twice:

Toxic Female Leadership & Lack of Mentorship

In many branches or departments of these banks, the female managers in higher positions are often described as:

• Authoritative and unsupportive – Instead of mentoring junior staff, they dominate and demoralize.
• Lacking professional behavior – Several ex-employees report that some women in leadership behave rudely, act based on personal biases, and show no leadership maturity.
• Insecure and ego-driven – Rather than uplifting junior female staff, they may see them as competition and actively block their progress.
• “Being a woman doesn’t automatically make someone a good leader. In these banks, the women in higher positions often act more toxic than supportive.” – Ex-employee review (paraphrased)

Hierarchy is Based on Ego, Not Merit

• Promotions often go to those who “yes-man” (or “yes-woman”) the bosses instead of high performers.
• Favoritism is rampant – Professional ethics take a back seat to personal preferences and internal politics.
• Employees are judged not by skills but by how well they stroke egos.
• This kind of culture is especially dangerous for female employees, who expect a fair and respectful work environment but end up being pulled down or harassed by seniors of the same gender.

Lack of Emotional Intelligence Among Managers

• Many senior staff behave like they’re running a street business, not a bank.
• There’s zero emotional maturity – shouting, public insults, micromanaging, and power abuse are common.
• Instead of supporting women balancing work and home, these managers often show insensitivity or mockery.

No Real Empowerment for Women

Despite hiring many women in junior roles, these banks:

• Rarely promote them to meaningful decision-making positions.
• Assign unsafe field jobs without proper safety, support, or transport.
• Have no effective redressal mechanism for harassment or gender-based discrimination.
• “Women are just headcount for diversity numbers, not genuinely respected as professionals.” – Reported by multiple anonymous reviews

You Deserve Better

You’ve studied hard, trained professionally, and deserve a workplace that:

✅ Respects your voice
✅ Supports your growth
✅ Provides real safety and dignity
✅ Has female leaders who lead with strength and empathy

Sadly, many employees say these banks fail on all those fronts.

Final Advice

If you’re a woman looking for a banking career, don’t settle for these options just because they hire fast or promise incentives. The long-term damage to your mental health, confidence, and career growth is not worth it.

✅ Look for organizations with transparent HR policies, merit-based growth, and female leaders who uplift others, not tear them down.

Why Some Consider IDFC First Bank, Bandhan Bank, City Union Bank, and Equitas Small Finance Bank Poor in Service and Job Experience

IDFC First Bank | Customer Service Issues:

• Digital Banking Problems: Frequent app crashes, failed transactions, and delayed customer support responses.
• Poor grievance redressal: Complaints are often escalated without timely resolution, frustrating users.
• Aggressive sales: Overly pushy tactics to sell loans or cards have led to distrust.

Employment Concerns:

• High pressure targets: Sales roles, especially at junior levels, often involve unrealistic targets and extended hours.
• Poor work-life balance: Many employees report burnout due to the constant pressure to meet numbers.
• Hierarchy issues: Managers are often described as autocratic, showing little empathy or encouragement.

For Female Employees:

• Limited growth for women: Some ex-employees have claimed gender bias in promotions and team handling.
• Unsafe or unfriendly field roles: Women posted in sales may face unsafe travel conditions or poor logistical support.

Bandhan Bank | Customer Service Issues:

• Branch-level mismanagement: Rural branches often face issues of miscommunication and delayed services.
• Technical inefficiencies: Delays in updating passbooks, poor ATM network support, and inconsistent mobile banking.

Employment Concerns:

• Old-school culture: Despite being a relatively new entrant, Bandhan Bank is criticized for operating with a rigid, top-down bureaucratic system.
• Micromanagement and lack of autonomy: Employees are not trusted with decision-making; everything needs hierarchical approval.
• Poor HR policies: Feedback from Glassdoor and similar platforms points to lack of employee support and recognition.

For Female Employees:

• Risky fieldwork expectations: Even female employees are often expected to travel extensively to remote areas without adequate safety measures.
• Lack of gender-sensitive policies: Maternity benefits, harassment redressal, or flexibility are reportedly weak.

City Union Bank | Customer Service Issues:

• Outdated technology: Mobile banking and internet banking are clunky and often fail during peak hours.
• Old-school mindset in service: Too much dependence on manual systems, causing slower operations and higher error chances.

Employment Concerns:

• Traditional hierarchy: Promotion is often seniority-based rather than merit-based.
• Lack of innovation: Employees feel stagnated due to outdated systems and poor technological exposure.
• Limited career growth: Very slow internal movement or upskilling opportunities.

For Female Employees:

• Male-dominated leadership: Upper management is heavily skewed toward males, creating a non-inclusive environment.
• Conservative workplace culture: Female employees often feel restricted in terms of freedom and professional expression.

Equitas Small Finance Bank | Customer Service Issues:

• Inconsistent service across branches: While urban branches may be okay, rural and semi-urban branches are poorly equipped.
• Frequent complaints on loan processing and interest rates: Poor communication about terms and high rates have led to discontent.

Employment Concerns:

• Very high attrition rate: Employees often leave within a year due to stress and low growth.
• Toxic hierarchy: Multiple reports of seniors being uncooperative, highly political, and unsupportive.
• No job security in many roles: Especially in sales and collection, where job cuts happen without notice.

For Female Employees:

• Unsafe field responsibilities: Like Bandhan and IDFC, women are also made to travel or visit locations alone.
• Bias in leadership: Women rarely get roles beyond branch or service levels, limiting their career trajectory.

Why Women Should Think Twice Before Taking Jobs at These Banks

Female job seekers are advised to be cautious before accepting job offers from IDFC First Bank, Bandhan Bank, City Union Bank, and Equitas Small Finance Bank. Many former employees have raised concerns about the toxic work culture, especially within female-led hierarchies. Reports suggest that in some branches, senior female managers exhibit ego-driven behavior, lack professional communication, and fail to support junior female staff. Instead of mentoring or guiding, some create a hostile and discouraging work environment.

While every experience may vary, it’s important to research employee reviews and speak with current or former staff before joining these banks—especially if you’re seeking a supportive and empowering workplace as a woman.