The Kotak Mahindra Group was born in 1985 as Kotak Capital Management Finance Limited. This company was promoted by Uday Kotak, Sidney A. A. Pinto and Kotak & Company. Industrialists Harish Mahindra and Anand Mahindra took a stake in 1986, and that's when the company changed its name to Kotak Mahindra Finance Limited.
Since then it's been a steady and confident journey to growth and success.
| 1986 | Kotak Mahindra Finance Limited starts the activity of Bill Discounting |
| 1987 | Kotak Mahindra Finance Limited enters the Lease and Hire Purchase market |
| 1990 | The Auto Finance division is started |
| 1991 | The Investment Banking Division is started. Takes over FICOM, one of India's largest financial retail marketing networks |
| 1992 | Enters the Funds Syndication sector |
| 1995 | Brokerage and Distribution businesses incorporated into a separate company - Kotak Securities. Investment Banking division incorporated into a separate company - Kotak Mahindra Capital Company |
| 1996 | The Auto Finance Business is hived off into a separate company - Kotak Mahindra Prime Limited (formerly known as Kotak Mahindra Primus Limited). Kotak Mahindra takes a significant stake in Ford Credit Kotak Mahindra Limited, for financing Ford vehicles. The launch of Matrix Information Services Limited marks the Group's entry into information distribution. |
| 1998 | Enters the mutual fund market with the launch of Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company. |
| 2000 | Kotak Mahindra ties up with Old Mutual plc. for the Life Insurance business. Kotak Securities launches its on-line broking site (now www.kotaksecurities.com). Commencement of private equity activity through setting up of Kotak Mahindra Venture Capital Fund. |
| 2001 | Matrix sold to Friday Corporation Launches Insurance Services |
| 2003 | Kotak Mahindra Finance Ltd. converts to a commercial bank - the first Indian company to do so. |
| 2004 | Launches India Growth Fund, a private equity fund. |
| 2005 | Kotak Group realigns joint venture in Ford Credit; Buys Kotak Mahindra Prime (formerly known as Kotak Mahindra Primus Limited) and sells Ford credit Kotak Mahindra. Launches a real estate fund |
| 2006 | Bought the 25% stake held by Goldman Sachs in Kotak Mahindra Capital Company and Kotak Securities |