Dr. K. Paul Thomas was conferred an honorary doctorate by Kerala Agricultural University, recognising his contributions to sustainable practices and financial inclusion.

Dr. K. Paul Thomas was awarded a doctoral degree by the Faculty of Management Studies of VELS University for his thesis, titled “Influence of Social Entrepreneurship on Socio-economic Transformation and Sustainable Development by Small Finance Banks.

ESAF Small Finance Bank celebrated its 8th Anniversary on 8th March 2025 at the Central Auditorium of Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur. The event was graced by Shri Satish K. Marathe, Director, Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India, as the Chief Guest. Shri George K. John, Executive Director and the first employee of ESAF, delivered the welcome address. The occasion was inaugurated by Shri P. R. Ravi Mohan, Chairman of ESAF Small Finance Bank, along with Dr. K. Paul Thomas, MD & CEO, Smt Mereena Paul, Executive Director of ESAF Foundation, Shri Jacob Samuel, Co-founder of ESAF Group of Social Enterprises, the Board of Directors and Executive Vice Presidents. As part of the Bank’s 8th Anniversary Celebrations, ESAF Gravity, a microlending platform, ESAF revamped Mobile Banking App, and ESAF Mithra App were launched.

Dr. K. Paul Thomas met with Shri Neiphiu Rio, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Nagaland, following the inauguration of ESAF Small Finance Bank branches in the state.

Shri K. Paul Thomas, MD and CEO of ESAF Small Finance Bank, has been recognized as the winner in the Financial Inclusion category at the prestigious IBA 20th Annual Banking Technology Conference, Expo & Citations.

The award was presented by Shri T. Rabi Sankar, Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, on January 24, 2025, in Mumbai, and was received on the behalf of Shri K Paul Thomas by Shri Gireesh C.P., EVP, along with Shri Lijith Jose, Vertical Head of Regional Marketing.

Shri. K. Paul Thomas, MD and CEO, ESAF Small Finance Bank met Shri. Amit Shah, Union Minister of Home Affairs and Co-operation, during his visit to Thrissur on 12th March 2023.

ESAF Small Finance Bank inaugurated its new Zonal Office at West Patel Nagar, New Delhi on 29th May 2023. The inauguration was done virtually by Dr. Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad, Honourable Minister of State, Ministry of Finance, Government of India. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was jointly carried out by Shri. K. Paul Thomas, MD and CEO, ESAF Small Finance Bank, and Smt. Mereena Paul, Executive Director, ESAF Foundation, along with Shri. C.B. Samuel, Former CEO, EFICOR, and Smt. Girija Subramanian, CMD, Agricultural Insurance Company of India. Many officials including Shri. Scott Walters, CEO, Opportunity International, Australia, Shri. S. N. Sharma, GM, RBI, Smt. Chitra Datar, GM, Bank of Maharashtra, Shri. Amit Meena IAS, Ministry of Finance, Shri. Ramesh Babu, Secretary, EFICOR, Shri. George Thomas, Executive Vice President, ESAF Small Finance Bank, Shri. Hemant Tamta, Executive Vice President, Network 2, ESAF Small Finance Bank, Shri. Christudas K. V., CEO, ESAF Co-operative and Shri. Sreekanth C.K., Head, Marketing and PR, ESAF Small Finance Bank, were present during the occasion.

Shri. K. Paul Thomas, MD and CEO, ESAF Small Finance Bank, has been elected to the Board of Sa-Dhan, an association of Microfinance and Impact Finance Institutions, as Co-Chairman. He secured a majority of 60 votes out of 62 votes cast. Shri. K. Paul Thomas commented that the victory was in recognition of ESAF’s contributions to promoting financial inclusion.