Alum Ventures: Aeldra – Sukeert Shanker, Venkat Gopalakrishnan and Anil Kumar NS, PGP 1999

Aeldra Financial, Inc. is a Silicon Valley-based Neo-bank providing access to cross-border banking to global citizens through a mobile banking* interface and services in partnership with regulated U.S. financial institutions. The Company was incorporated in 2019 and has garnered over 40,000 thousand customers within a few months of launch from the U.S. and overseas, primarily in India.

Who is this for?

We’re solving for cross-border banking needs of global citizens. We want global citizens to make us a part of their global growth story, as they Invest Globally, Study Globally, Travel Globally, Work Globally, Diversify Globally and Live Globally. Currently focused on Indian Citizens – based out of Silicon Valley and Bangalore in India.

Usually, people going to the US carry super expensive Forex Cards, Corporate Credit Cards or Cash. With Aeldra, they can save up to $500 per year in forex fees, charges and exchange rates.

What is on offer?

Global customers banking* that they can trust.  Easy access and integration into the global financial system. A welcoming exclusivity. Never heard before –  An FDIC Insured U.S. Bank Account sitting in India – all you need is an Indian Passport. We wish it was complicated – but it is pretty straightforward. A completely digital process – takes 5 minutes to complete.  No Visa, No SSN Needed. A Global Mastercard Debit Card^ as soon as you land on U.S. Soil. No hidden charges. High yield account – 2.02% (APY) interest as opposed to 0.06% offered by Traditional U.S. Banks. It is much better than a forex card – Save up to $500 in foreign transaction fees & exchange rate mark-ups of an Indian card. Needless to say it takes away the hassle of carrying cash.

All of this through a state-of-the-art app (available on both App Store and Play Store) that brings global banking to your fingertips.

In line with the Company’s focus on customer advocacy, the Aeldra account* is free. Aeldra does not charge customers any fees. There are no monthly fees, account* maintenance fees or transaction fees. As an example of the value to customers, unlike other U.S. banks that typically charge $15 for an international wire credit, Aeldra has zero fees for international wires.

In some ways, it can be said that it is better than both Indian/U.S. alternatives. Contrary to popular opinion the American banking system can come as a rude shock to most people moving from India – the system is expensive and archaic. It takes 3-5 business days for bank transfers. Aeldra is a refreshing change:

●  Free Bank* to Bank ACH Transfers

●  Free Incoming International Wire Transfers

●  Free AeldraPay Instant real-time Peer-to-Peer Transfers

Apply here: https://prod.aeldra.com/get-started

What is special?

Can be a game-changer for someone who wants to save up in dollars – beating the currency depreciation in India. Ideal for foreign travellers, students applying to U.S. Universities, parents saving up for their kids’ foreign education. Aeldra Pay makes sure that your loved ones stay closer.

A neo-bank by bankers. 

Aeldra’s three Founders graduated from IIMB in 1999, and have worked across four continents. They have been senior executives in global organizations like McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, Accenture, Infosys and Cargill.

Aeldra’s CEO, Sukeert Shanker, has led the launch of two new digital banks in the last 6 years, including Marcus by Goldman Sachs. Prior to setting up Aeldra, Mr. Shanker was Chief Operating Officer of the Digital Bank of East West Bancorp, Inc., a $45 Billion (Rs. 330,000 Crores) U.S. bank based in Los Angeles and listed on NASDAQ. Anil Kumar N.S., Aeldra’s India M.D., was part of the founding team at UIDAI. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). Venkat has over two decades of experience in where he has successfully built and scaled businesses in the Americas, Africa and Asia.

The motivation behind the venture: Aeldra’s Mission is to provide customers a premium banking experience that is safe, secure and they can trust.  Banking and finance have always had the insidious feeling of the commercial, the transactional. It needs to be like gourmet food – an essential need but one that elevates your life. Driven by resolute intention and experience, the founders faced the challenges of cross-border banking* first-hand. Why jump through hoops or pay fees to get access to banking services. When you live globally and work globally, why is your creditworthiness local? Why are you treated like an alien by your bank overseas?

Sukeert Shanker:

Sukeert Shanker, has led the launch of two new digital banks in the last 6 years, including Marcus by Goldman Sachs. Prior to setting up Aeldra, he was Chief Operating Officer of the Digital Bank of East West Bancorp, Inc., a $45 Billion (Rs. 330,000 Crores) U.S. bank based in Los Angeles and listed on NASDAQ.

Venkat Gopalakrishnan: 

Venkat, as Country Head, Nigeria, for Olam, led a $60 million agri commodities business, increasing scale, growing margins and strengthening execution. In his two decades of experience,  $1B+ organisations in the Americas, Africa and Asia, where he has successfully built and scaled businesses, evaluated M&A transactions and supported execution. Venkat, who is adept at creating innovative global business models for companies, has years of executive leadership experience in commodity value chain businesses.

Anil Kumar NS:

Anil comes with blended experiences converging from fintech, marketing and founding startups after having worked at MNCs like IBM and Cisco in leadership roles for over 20 years. He was personally involved in the global launch of the banking product of Infosys and has led Efma, a global financial services analyst firm in India. He was also a part of the initial launch team of UIDAI-Aadhaar project.

It is 100% legal. Comes under the LRS by RBI according to which you can remit up to $250,000 to the U.S. per Financial Year. Experience Triple Security:

●  Funds in the U.S. – Safest Asset in the World (Strongest Currency?)

●  FDIC Insurance – Backing guarantee by the U.S. Govt. up to $250,000

●  MasterCard Zero Liability

How is it going?

$14,000,000 IN TRANSACTIONS | 40,000+ CUSTOMERS | 750+ CITIES

Contact:

Open a U.S. Account in India within 5 mins: 

Visit the website: https://www.aeldra.com/

Write to us: concierge@aeldra.com

Call us:

U.S. Toll-Free Number: +1-844-333-3101

India Contact number: +91-40-69041602 (Mon-Fri, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm)

*Banking services provided by Blue Ridge Bank, National Association, Member FDIC.  The FDIC – short for Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – is an independent agency of the United States government that protects against the loss of insured deposits if an FDIC insured bank fails. It is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government. Since the FDIC began in 1934, no depositor has ever lost a penny of FDIC insured funds. FDIC insurance covers funds in deposit accounts up to $250,000 per depositor.

^The Aeldra Mastercard Debit Card is issued by Blue Ridge Bank, N.A. pursuant to a license from Mastercard Inc. and may be used everywhere Mastercard debit cards are accepted. Indian residents will be restricted from debit card usage until the customer is physically in the U.S. Customers will have to follow applicable Aeldra procedures which will include providing documentation that establishes physical presence in the U.S. and by contacting Aeldra Concierge to remove the usage restriction.‍

ATM: Out-of-Network cash withdrawal fees apply. Third-party and cash deposit fees may apply.

APY is variable and accurate as of 2/28/2022. Rates may be changed from time to time without notice