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Islamabad: Mobilink Bank has distinguished itself for the second consecutive year as a leader in gender equality and financial inclusion, achieving a score of 82.7 on the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) Women Friendliness Grid. This score, up from last year’s 71.79, underscores the bank’s proactive measures to support women borrowers and entrepreneurs, particularly in the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector.
According to Mobilink Bank, this performance is a result of its comprehensive strategies aimed at enhancing the economic empowerment of women across Pakistan. The bank has implemented several initiatives, such as the Women Inspirational Network (WIN) program, which has successfully trained over 20,000 women nationwide. In collaboration with Care Pakistan, the bank has also upskilled an additional 1,500 women in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) district.
2022 saw the bank disburse PKR 6.96 billion in loans to women under its Bint-e-Hawwa program. This figure rose to over PKR 10.6 billion in 2023, marking a significant 50% increase. Mobilink Bank’s MSME lending, which accounts for 40% of its total loan portfolio at PKR 24.34 billion, reflects its commitment to fostering women’s entrepreneurship.
Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary, Interim CEO of Mobilink Bank, commented on the achievement, stating, “Achieving an 82.7 score on the Women Friendliness Grid is a testament to our commitment to financial inclusivity and innovation. This milestone reflects our dedication to empowering women entrepreneurs, driving digital inclusion, and embedding sustainability into our operations. We will continue to focus on creating meaningful opportunities that foster gender equality and environmental responsibility.”
The bank’s efforts extend beyond lending. It boasts a 33% representation of women in leadership positions and has implemented progressive workplace policies such as childcare support, enhanced maternity and paternity leaves, and a transport allowance. Moreover, Mobilink Bank has launched the Women Returnship Program – MobilinkHer, aimed at reintegrating women into the workforce, and has made significant strides in increasing female employment within the company.
With 44% of its loan portfolio dedicated to agriculture, Mobilink Bank has ensured that 25% of its agri-business loans support women-owned ventures, thereby reinforcing the positive impact on women farmers and the broader economy.
Mobilink Bank, a subsidiary of the global digital operator VEON group, continues to set benchmarks for supporting women’s economic advancement in Pakistan’s financial sector.
The post Mobilink Bank Leads in Gender Equality and Financial Inclusion with Top Score on SBP’s Women Friendliness Grid appeared first on Pakistan Business News.