SBP to Close Gender Gap in Banking

Notably, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has introduced the second edition of its Banking on Equality Policy to narrow the gender gap in financial inclusion and improve women's access to banking services.

Key points

• The policy supports Pakistan's National Financial Inclusion Strategy target of reducing the gender gap in financial inclusion to 25 percent by 2028.
• While women's share of the banking workforce climbed from 13 percent to 17 percent, banks additionally hired more than 17, 500 women during this period.
• The new policy builds on the first edition introduced in 2021.
• Under the policy, banks are encouraged to introduce simplified digital accounts for women, promote digital payments for women-led businesses, and develop financing products for female entrepreneurs.
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For context, the Banking on Equality Policy 2026 sets new targets for banks to growth women's representation in the workforce, expand digital banking access, and provide more financing to women-owned businesses. SBP Earns Billions From Bank Fines.

Under the policy, banks are encouraged to introduce simplified digital accounts for women, promote digital payments for women-led businesses, and develop financing products for female entrepreneurs. The policy additionally calls for alternative credit assessment methods to assist women who lack formal credit histories or conventional collateral.

SBP has additionally asked banks to set targets for hiring women, reaching female customers, and increasing women's representation among branchless banking agents. Banks are encouraged to provide daycare facilities for working mothers and introduce career development policies to support women move into leadership positions.

For context, the new policy builds on the first edition introduced in 2021. During its implementation, Pakistan's gender gap in financial inclusion narrowed from 39 percent in 2021 to 29 percent in 2025.

While women's share of the banking workforce climbed from 13 percent to 17 percent, banks additionally hired more than 17, 500 women during this period. Banks have additionally established dedicated teams to develop financial products and services for women. Finance Minister Exposes Dark Reality of Climate Programs.

SBP will monitor implementation through quarterly data reporting, regular evaluations, and mystery shopping exercises.

Notably, the policy supports Pakistan's National Financial Inclusion Strategy target of reducing the gender gap in financial inclusion to 25 percent by 2028. It additionally seeks to improve women's financial literacy and backing their participation in entrepreneurship.

SBP remarked the policy was finalized after consultations with local and international stakeholders. Stay Connected with ProPakistani.

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Taken together, the developments around SBP to Close Gender Gap in Banking point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.