No, Airtel Money and Airtel Payments Bank are not the same, although they are related services offered by Airtel.
Airtel Money is a mobile wallet service provided by Airtel, which allows users to store money digitally on their mobile devices. It enables users to make payments, recharge mobile phones, pay bills, and send money to other Airtel Money users.
On the other hand, Airtel Payments Bank is a separate entity that offers full-fledged banking services. It is a licensed and regulated bank that allows users to open savings accounts, earn interest on their deposits, and avail services like money transfers, cashless payments, and digital banking facilities.
While Airtel Money provides basic digital wallet services, Airtel Payments Bank provides a more comprehensive banking experience with additional features and benefits. However, Airtel Payments Bank does allow users to link their Airtel Money wallets to their Payments Bank accounts, enabling seamless transfer of funds between the two services.
It's important to note that while Airtel Money is available to both Airtel and non-Airtel users, Airtel Payments Bank accounts can be opened by anyone, irrespective of their mobile service provider.