geo/pakistan
Beyond financial inclusion: What drives financial health for women entrepreneurs?

- Financial Insecurity in Crises: While 80% of entrepreneurs save for their business, only 16% would use business savings to recover from a crisis. Others instead rely on household savings or borrowing, which may limit the ability of the business to recover in the long-term.
- Limited Access to Credit: 27% of women entrepreneurs lack the financial resources needed to grow. High interest rates (49%), low loan amounts (23%), and short loan terms (14%) create barriers to formal financing, and debt stress remains particularly high in Pakistan, where 94% of borrowers are “very concerned” about repayment.
- Digital Divides: While 94% of respondents own a smartphone, only 51% use digital tools for their business. Access to digital upskilling remains a challenge, limiting women’s ability to tap into online financial services and expand into new markets.
- Satisfied but Stressed: While many cite satisfaction with the state of their business, households, and finances, this may come at the cost of high levels of stress. However, when spouses were involved in decision-making, women were 27 percentage points less likely to “always worry” about their business and 23 percentage points less likely to “always worry” about their household.
- Disconnected from Support Networks: One-third (34%) of women entrepreneurs lack access to networks like peer groups and mentors for business advice.
- Offering long-term, higher-interest savings accounts with features like automated deposits to help women build emergency funds.
- Financial products tailored to women’s business needs, with larger loan sizes, flexible repayment terms and alternative credit assessments.
- Offering tiered, practical digital literacy programs, from mobile banking basics to advanced tools like e-commerce and AI.
- Creating peer groups and family-inclusive workshops to build networks, mentorship, and shared responsibility at home.
- Innovations that support redistributive care responsibilities, through mechanisms such as subsidized childcare and financial tools designed with caregiving realities in mind.
Handbook - Supply Chain Finance Knowledge Guide

Supply Chain Financing (SCF) is becoming an increasingly common vertical within the banking industry. The global credit crisis of 2008 forced trade finance seekers to look for alternatives as liquidity in supply chains became a major concern for businesses. This spurred an increased demand for supply chain financing as businesses worked to maintain liquidity and their competitive edge. This report describes the general ecosystem for SCF, summarizes the best practices that financial institutions should adopt as they seek to enter the supply chain financing market and takes and attempt at quantifying the potential SCF market in Pakistan.
Bank of Punjab, a leading SME focused bank from Pakistan, joins the SME Finance Forum

Washington D.C, May 14, 2024 – Bank of Punjab, a leading SME focused bank from Pakistan has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation.
“SME Finance Forum proudly welcomes leading SME focused bank from Pakistan to our network. With $7.9 billion in assets and 815 branches across the country, BOP stands as a key player in SME banking, earning the accolade of ‘Best SME Bank in Pakistan’ at the 2024 Global SME Banking Innovation Awards, AsiaMoney 2023 Awards, and Pakistan Banking Awards 2022 & 2023. It is with great pleasure I welcome BOP to SME Finance Forum which is in line with our strategy of onboarding leading SME banks in emerging markets for impact. As I learnt during my recent discussions, BOP is at the forefront of implementing innovative practices in data usage, sustainability, digital and Agriculture solutions and there are impactful aspects BOP brings to the foray. We also look forward to migrating global best practices to BOP engaging our network of over 300+ members/affiliates for the bank to scale quickly and effectively in a market where ~ 7% of SMEs can finance their business needs through formal banking channels. BOP leadership team has been highly engaged and this promises to be an exciting collaboration”, said Qamar Saleem, Head of SME Finance Forum.
The Bank of Punjab (BOP) was established in 1989 and was declared as a scheduled bank by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on 19 SEP 1994. The Bank of Punjab has a growing network of 780 branches including 140 Islamic, 16 sub branches and 40 Islamic banking windows. Apart from state-of-the-Art DigiBOP Internet and mobile banking facilities, it has a host of branchless banking agents across the county. The bank also has a network of 706 ATMs. Being a progressive commercial bank and in line with modem banking needs, BOP offers a wide range of products and services to its diverse client base. The Bank has established a strong footprint in the areas of Corporate & Investment Banking, Commercial, SME, Agriculture and Consumer Banking. Moreover, it is working closely with the Government of Pakistan. Government of Punjab and SBP to promote Financial Inclusion. As Digital banking has become the cornerstone of a delightful customer experience, BOP is coming up with innovative digital products and is serving customers through Alternate delivery channels.
“As we embark on this journey with the SME Finance Forum, we're excited to enhance our commitment to empowering small and medium enterprises. Together, we'll leverage innovative financial solutions to create impactful opportunities for entrepreneurs and drive sustainable growth and foster economic development,” said Mr. Zafar Masud, President & CEO of Bank of Punjab, Pakistan.
SME Finance Forum: Innovation & Partnership for MSMEs Growth
The SME Finance Forum, backed by G20 and IFC/World Bank, is the leading global network of 300+ members/affiliates operating in 190 countries. Network comprises of SME focused institutions providing and enabling finance and services- banks, non-banks financial institutions, fintech, payment platforms, development institutions, credit guarantee companies, insurers, investment funds, supply chain linked players, banking and SME associations, policy advocates, regulators, academia, consulting houses, knowledge aggregators.
Our member, affiliates, and associated stakeholders benefit from learning/replicating best practices from across the world, innovating new products for business growth, acquiring risk mitigation tools, establishing partnerships, attracting investors, and being recognized amongst a peer group of global innovators. Our products consist of “members only” solutions (like innovation hubs, solutions clinics, peer group networks, study tours, specialized tools and trainings, member portal repository, partnered initiatives) as well as public good services (200+ publications library, 500+ videos, webinars, newsletters, trainings, annual awards, annual event etc.)
Discover the SME Finance Forum members/affiliates:
https://www.smefinanceforum.org/members/member-list
https://smefinanceforum.org/about/partners
About Bank of Punjab
The Bank of Punjab (BOP) was established in 1989 and was declared as a scheduled bank by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on 19 SEP 1994. The Bank of Punjab has a growing network of 780 branches including 140 Islamic, 16 sub branches and 40 Islamic banking windows. Apart from state-of-the-Art DigiBOP Internet and mobile banking facilities, it has a host of branchless banking agents across the county. The bank also has a network of 706 ATMs. Being a progressive commercial bank and in line with modem banking needs, BOP offers a wide range of products and services to its diverse client base. The Bank has established a strong footprint in the areas of Corporate & Investment Banking, Commercial, SME, Agriculture and Consumer Banking. Moreover, it is working closely with the Government of Pakistan. Government of Punjab and SBP to promote Financial Inclusion. As Digital banking has become the cornerstone of a delightful customer experience, BOP is coming up with innovative digital products and is serving customers through Alternate delivery channels.
Website: https://www.bop.com.pk/BoP
Karandaaz unveils GreenFin Innovations, offering concessional finance for enabling green economy & combatting climate change

Fauree

Pak Oman Investment
Pak Oman Investment Company Limited (POIC) is a Development Financial Institution (DFI) dedicated to providing corporate banking, SME Finance and investment banking services. The company's core objective is to foster economic growth in both Pakistan and Oman by facilitating industrial development and promoting agro-based industries on a commercial basis. Operating from its headquarters in Karachi, POIC extend its reach through a branch office in Lahore and representative offices in Islamabad, Gwadar, and Muscat. POIC's stable ratings are bolstered by its joint venture shareholding structure, with equal ownership by the Government of Pakistan (GoP) and the Sultanate of Oman.

Bank of Punjab

Pakistan Financial Inclusion: Karandaaz Survey
Newly released financial survey from our member Karandazz!
The report delves deep into financial service access and demand, with a special focus on digital financial services.
To support financial inclusion in Pakistan, it is important to have clear definitions, metrics, and estimates for planning and intervention designs.
Karandaaz notes that while there are several surveys that measure financial inclusion based on a range of indicators, there remains some level of ambiguity with regard to the exact definition of ‘financial inclusion’ and readings among different institutions.
Accordingly, utilising a harmonised definition is essential for consistent monitoring, stock-taking, and measurement.
Explore the report to gain practical insights into the future of financial services. It covers a wide range of topics, from cutting-edge digital solutions to more traditional methods of access.
Explore the complete report and share your thoughts with Karandaaz at reserach@karandaaz.com.pk.
Karandaaz Financial Inclusion Survey Results

The Karandaaz Financial Inclusion Survey (K-FIS) responds to the need identified by multiple stakeholders for timely demand-side data and
practical insights into the state of financial inclusion in Pakistan, including traditional banking, mobile money, and the potential for their
expanded use among the poor. The aim is to:
- Track access to and demand for financial services, with special emphasis on digital financial services (DFS);
- Measure adoption and use of financial services among key underserved groups (females, youth, poor, rural, and the financially excluded);
- Identify drivers and barriers to adoption of financial services and DFS; and
- Produce actionable, forward-looking insights based on rigorous data to support product and service development and delivery.