Mobilink Bank Tops the SBP’s Banking on Equality Scorecard for the Second Consecutive Year
Mobilink Bank has reaffirmed its dedication to gender equality and financial inclusion by securing an impressive score of 82.7 on the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) Women Friendliness Grid. This is a significant improvement from last year’s score of 71.79 and reflects the bank’s continuous efforts to create a supportive environment for women borrowers and entrepreneurs, especially in the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. The Women Friendliness Grid serves as a critical benchmark for evaluating the accessibility and inclusiveness of financial services for women, and Mobilink Bank’s performance highlights its commitment to innovation and strategic partnerships aimed at supporting women across Pakistan.
Women Empowerment Initiatives
Mobilink Bank’s Women Inspirational Network (WIN) program has trained over 20,000 women nationwide, empowering them with the skills and knowledge needed for financial independence. Additionally, in collaboration with Care Pakistan, the bank has upskilled 1,500 women in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) district. Another notable initiative is the Bint-e-Hawwa program, under which Mobilink Bank disbursed PKR 6.96 billion in loans to women in 2022. This amount increased to over PKR 10.6 billion in 2023, marking a 50% growth.
Leadership’s Vision on Inclusivity
Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary, Interim CEO of Mobilink Bank, emphasized the significance of their latest 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.”
Sustainable Practices and Gender Representation
Mobilink Bank’s focus on empowering women entrepreneurs is also evident in its resource allocation and sustainable business practices. MSME lending makes up 40% of the bank’s total loan portfolio, valued at PKR 24.34 billion, showcasing the bank’s dedication to improving opportunities for women in business. Furthermore, the bank has 33% representation of women in leadership positions, implemented a childcare policy, enhanced maternity and paternity leaves, and provided transport allowances to support women in the workforce.
MobilinkHer and Workforce Diversity
The bank continues to prioritize women’s professional development through the Women Returnship Program – MobilinkHer. This initiative builds a talent pool of women interns and emphasizes increasing female hires. As a result, women now make up 16% of Mobilink Bank’s workforce at both the field and Head Office levels, a significant increase from 7% in earlier years. From 2020 to 2024, the bank has seen a 42% year-on-year increase in women employees.
Impact on Agriculture and Women Farmers
Beyond corporate initiatives, Mobilink Bank is making strides in supporting women farmers. Currently, 44% of the bank’s loan portfolio is allocated to agriculture, with 25% directed towards women-owned agri-businesses. This demonstrates the bank’s positive impact on women farmers and their contribution to the broader economy.
A Global Perspective
Mobilink Bank is part of the VEON group, a global digital operator providing converged connectivity and digital services to nearly 160 million customers in six dynamic markets, representing 7% of the world’s population. Through its various programs and initiatives, Mobilink Bank continues to play a pivotal role in promoting gender equality and financial inclusion in Pakistan.
