The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has allowed ASA Microfinance Bank (Pakistan) Limited to commence microfinance lending business nationwide from November 13, 2023, SBP said in a statement on Tuesday.

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 recognised as one of the world’s largest international microfinance institutions.

By commencing business, ASA Microfinance Bank (Pakistan) Limited will be the 12th Microfinance Bank (MFB) to operate in the country.

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“MFBs play an important role to serve a large number of microcredit borrowers and depositors,” the SBP said.

MFBs have approximately three percent share of total advances of the banking system, however; in terms of number of domestic borrowers, MFBs have a share of 58.6 percent, signifying their importance in Pakistan’s credit market, financial inclusion and economy, the central bank added.

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

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“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,” it said.

The central bank expects that ASA Microfinance Bank (Pakistan) Limited will contribute towards poverty alleviation and financial inclusion mandate under the Microfinance Institution Ordinance, 2001.