Empowering dreams with inclusive banking. Explore our range of products and services like savings, loans, FDs, insurance & digital banking with a mission of social impact.

The seeds of an organization, when planted in the fertile soil of social equity, collective growth, and a sustainable mindset, flourish to create a deeply rooted, forward-looking culture. Such is the journey of ESAF, which began as an NGO in 1992 with the mission to uplift the marginalized and the most underserved sections of society. This in itself is a rare and remarkable feat, as for many financial organizations, CSR is an afterthought. For ESAF, it is a fundamental part of our DNA. Our dream always has been, and always will be, to be the leading social bank of the country.   ESAF’s march toward becoming a socially driven organization continued with the establishment of Micro Enterprises Development (MED) services in 1995, reinforcing the belief that “the poor of our country are bankable—they just need a helping hand.” On 10th March 2017, when ESAF Small Finance Bank received its license from the RBI and commenced its banking operations, it was one of only 10 out of 72 nationwide banking applicants to be granted a license. Notably, ESAF was the only applicant from Kerala to receive the license, even while applications from many larger financial institutions were rejected. Our social background played a key role in our acceptance as a small finance bank.   Our triple bottom line principle of People, Planet, and Prosperity is embedded in our social business strategy. By empowering people, we enrich our planet and ensure collective prosperity. Here are the ways we do it:  

Grassroots Growth

  Mahatma Gandhi mentioned over seven decades ago that “the real India lives in its villages.” Even today, this statement holds true. When the villages of our country prosper, so does the entire nation. Thus, whether it’s a dairy farmer in Karikal, a tea stall owner in Katni, or a beautician in Harinagar who wishes to expand their business, we are there to support their bigger dreams. Our first major campaign as an NBFC was titled “We build the nation from its roots.” The campaign was intended to spread the message of both financial and social empowerment. The Bank’s unique products, such as Income Generation Loans and Micro Enterprise Loans, are tailored to meet the growing needs of aspiring micro-entrepreneurs. This financial support is readily accessible and easy to repay, ensuring that it does not become a burden. It is no surprise, then, that many of our micro-customers have improved their social status, migrating to become retail customers and investors/depositors.  

Servant Leadership

  A servant leader finds purpose in serving others. This leadership style focuses on building community and prioritizing the well-being of those being served. The growth of the community and the creation of a more just society are the priorities of servant leadership. Every year, we observe Servant Leadership Day to commemorate the efforts of all our staff, especially honoring the stewards and senior team members at all branches. Our CSR wings, ESAF Foundation and Prachodhan Development Services, work at the grassroots level, empowering the youth of the country through regular skill training workshops such as the Urjabandhu (Solar) Training Programme, Entrepreneurship Acceleration Programme, and Pashumitra (Cattle Insemination) Camps. At BalaJyothi clubs, young minds are nurtured beyond traditional education to become well-rounded citizens who value the gifts of Mother Nature. Underprivileged children are taught valuable life skills such as financial planning, health and hygiene, safety and security, and entrepreneurship. No wonder, ESAF has put servant leadership day as its chief core value.  

Women Empowerment

  A woman’s success is the family’s and the community’s success. When we invest in a woman, we invest in our collective future. Time and again, we have seen in the villages of India how enterprising women start their businesses and inspire other women to dream bigger and achieve more. We are pioneers in the field, having introduced microfinance in Kerala even before Kudumbashree. ESAF, through its women-friendly schemes and cooperative initiatives, provides easy loans to its members and offers them training in various skills, leadership, and financial literacy. Our international award-winning Dabba Savings Account (Micro Savings Account), which offers women alternative ways to save, has received overwhelming support. Village women also benefit from ESAF’s Micro ATMs, which are easily accessible through India’s biometric system, Aadhaar.   Our inclusive culture has fostered the rise of women leaders within the organization, who have grown to lead prominent departments and serve as role models for the younger generation.  

A Greener Future

  Our earth is our only home, and at ESAF, we believe in giving back what we have received in abundance. Our Bank’s week-long celebration of World Environment Day underscores our steadfast commitment to ‘People, Planet, and Prosperity.’ Since its inception, ESAF has ingrained the value of sustainability into every initiative we undertake. We have scored an impressive ESG rating of 71—the highest among our peers. In recognition of ESAF Small Finance Bank’s commitment to sustainable development practices, we have been awarded the internationally esteemed ISO 26000:2010 certification. We have also been finalists twice at the EFA (European Finance Association) awards.   Our CSR initiatives, through ESAF Foundation and Prachodhan Development Services, are promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture across different regions of the country. A study conducted by our Sustainable Banking team on our Farmer Interest Group (FIG) loans shows that 72% of our FIG customers, who are small and marginal farmers, have increased their land use through the loans they have taken. This improvement is crucial for enhancing food security in the country. Similarly, through our clean energy loans, electric vehicle loans, and other agricultural loans, we aim to make a transformative impact on both the environment and the community.   As our Bank grows in strength, our vision of becoming India’s leading social bank—offering equal opportunities to all through universal access and financial deepening, thereby promoting financial inclusion, livelihoods, and overall economic development—remains the north star that guides us.