SBP allows ASA Microfinance Bank Limited to commence countrywide operations

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Tuesday, allowed ASA Microfinance Bank (Pakistan) Limited to commence microfinance lending business across the country.

ASA Microfinance Bank will be the 12th Microfinance Bank (MFB) to operate in the country by commencing nationwide microfinance lending business with effect from November 13, 2023, said a statement issued here.

ASA Microfinance Bank (Pakistan) Limited, licensed by SBP under the Microfinance Institutions Ordinance 2001, is a wholly owned subsidiary of ASA International Group plc. which is recognized as one of the world’s largest international microfinance institutions.

MFBs play an important role to serve a large number of micro-credit borrowers and depositors as they have approximately 3% share of total advances of the banking system, it stated adding that however in terms of number of domestic borrowers, MFBs have a share of 58.6 percent that signifying their importance in Pakistan’s credit market, financial inclusion and economy.

The commencement of business by ASA Microfinance Bank (Pakistan) Limited is expected to increase the market share of MFBs regulated by SBP within the overall microfinance sector, it stated.

Given the focus on women across their international network, ASA Microfinance Bank (Pakistan) Limited is expected to play an important role towards gender mainstreaming and female empowerment by providing small, socially responsible loans to low-income women entrepreneurs belonging to less-privileged and unbanked segments of the society, the statement further added.

It is expected that ASA Microfinance Bank (Pakistan) Limited will contribute towards poverty alleviation and financial inclusion mandate under the Microfinance Institution Ordinance, 2001, it concluded.