Bandhan was conceptualised and founded by Mr. Chandra Shekhar Ghosh. Bandhan started as a society in 2001 to meet the dual objectives of women empowerment and poverty alleviation. Under his leadership the entity transformed from an NGO to an NBFC in April 2006 and it became the largest microfinance institution in the country in 2010, and finally into an universal bank in August, 2015.

In June 2015, the Reserve Bank of India granted the banking licence to Bandhan under his leadership, making it the first-ever microfinance institution to become a universal bank in India. Mr. Ghosh leads Bandhan Bank as the Founder, MD & CEO till 9th July, 2024.

Mr. Ghosh has been awarded numerous awards, the prominent ones are mentioned below:

• Entrepreneur with Social Impact' 2014 by Forbes India Leadership Awards
• Entrepreneur of the Year’ 2014 by The Economic Times
• Senior Ashoka Fellow' – social entrepreneurship award – in 2007 by Ashoka Foundation
• Lifetime Achievement Award at India’s Best Bank Awards 2023 by Financial Express

Mr. Ghosh is actively associated with various industry bodies such the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Eastern Region, Sectoral Committee on Private Sector Banks, Indian Banks' Association (IBA), Corporate Governance Council, CII, Committee on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, Government of West Bengal etc.