ESAF Small Finance Bank launched the first banking outlet in Sholayur, Palakkad, on 29th March 2023. The multipurpose Customer Service Centre Outlet was inaugurated by Shri. A. Gowthaman, DGM, FIDD-Reserve Bank of India. Shri. K. Paul Thomas, MD and CEO, ESAF Small Finance Bank, delivered the presidential address. Shri. Christudas K. V., CEO, ESAF Co-operative, Shri. Shaju G., Member, Sholayur Block Panchayat, Smt. Latha Kumari, Member, Sholayur Gram Panchayat, and Shri. Sreenath R. P., Lead District Manager, Palakkad, delivered felicitation speeches. The Bank has also launched new branches in Kalkandy and Anaikatty. Smt. D. Dharmalashri, Sub-Collector, Ottapalam, inaugurated the Anaikatty Branch and Smt. Ambika Lakshmanan, President, Agali Gram Panchayat, inaugurated the Kalkandy Branch.

ESAF Small Finance Bank celebrated its 6th Foundation Day on 10th March 2023, with a grand event held at its headquarters in Mannuthy, Thrissur. The welcome speech, delivered by Shri. Hari Velloor, EVP, ESAF SFB, set the tone for the occasion. The chief guest, Shri. Vijay Kumar Nayak, Chief General Manager, the Reserve Bank of India, elaborated on the significance of financial inclusion in India. He praised ESAF for its contribution to expanding the horizon of financial inclusion and transforming lives. He also explained how small finance banks can leverage the opportunities provided by the central budget of 2023. Shri. K. Paul Thomas, MD and CEO, ESAF Small Finance Bank, expressed his appreciation to all who contributed to the Bank's growth. He shared his thoughts on the Bank's future, emphasising that while the Bank achieves great heights, its vision and mission will remain steadfast. He also highlighted how ESAF Bank had managed to grow even during challenging times such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Kerala floods. He emphasised the Bank's commitment to striking a balance between social responsibility and profitability. The presidential address was delivered by Shri. P. R. Ravi Mohan, Chairman, ESAF SFB. Dr. Gopakumaran Nair, CGM, NABARD, also addressed the gathering.
During the event, the winners of Tejaswi and Tejus were announced and the Bank launched several new products—Business WhatsApp, Agri Commodity Backed - Warehouse Receipt Finance, QR Scanner for Temple, EbixCash Cobranded Travel Card, eShiksha App, Online Account – eLite, and 3 in One Demat Account. Agent onboarding website and ISO Certification of HR were also released as part of the event. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Shri. George K. John, EVP, ESAF SFB, expressing gratitude to everyone who made the event possible. Overall, the event celebrated the success of the past six years while underscoring ESAF Small Finance Bank's commitment to financial inclusion and social responsibility.

Adv. K. Rajan, Revenue Minister, inaugurating the 31st anniversary celebration.
Thrissur: Renowned social development organisation ESAF has commemorated its 31st Foundation Day. Shaji K. V., Chairman, NABARD, inaugurated the event. “Similar to NABARD, ESAF has contributed much to enhance the creditworthiness of the people in backward areas. The achievements of ESAF have been truly remarkable,” he said. K. Paul Thomas, Founder, MD & CEO, ESAF Small Finance Bank, delivered the Foundation Day message.
Shaji K.V. was also honoured at the ceremony for being the first Keralite who took over as the Chairman of NABARD.
Adv. K. Rajan, Revenue Minister, Kerala, P. Balachandran, MLA, Thrissur, Mereena Paul, Executive Director, ESAF Foundation, and R. Billy, Vice President, ESAF Foundation, also spoke on the occasion.
Awards for the Best Co-operative Societies were also distributed during the event. Valakavu Ksheera Vyavasaya Co-operative Society and Kulumai Milk Producer Company won the Best Co-operative Societies Award. Jai Sardar Krishi Vikas Farmer Producer Company of Maharashtra also received a special jury mention at the event. Handing Over ceremony of houses built by ESAF Co-operative and felicitation of employees who completed 10 years of service in ESAF also took place during the event.

Shri. K. Paul Thomas, MD & CEO, ESAF Small Finance Bank, along with Smt. Mereena Paul, Executive Director, ESAF Foundation, and other officials during the inauguration of Lahanti Public School, Pahrudi.

As a part of ESAF Small Finance Bank’s CSR initiative, Shri. K. Paul Thomas, MD & CEO ESAF Small Finance Bank, and Smt. Mereena Paul, Executive Director, ESAF Foundation, jointly inaugurated Lahanti Public School, at Pahrudi, Dumka, on 12th November 2022. Shri. Alok Thomas Paul, MD, CEDAR Retail Pvt. Ltd., Shri. Ajithsen Selvadas, Director, ESAF Foundation, Shri. Sanjeev Hotta, Regional Head, ESAF Small Finance Bank, Shri. Midhun Abe Mohan, Shri. Steve George, and representatives from Lahanti Homes were also present during the inauguration. At present, the school has a strength of 90 students, and it is now functioning on a regular basis.

ESAF Small Finance Bank bagged the Inclusive Finance India Award 2022 in the category of Financial Inclusion by a Small Finance Bank, at the 19th Inclusive Finance India Summit held in New Delhi.
Since its inception, financial inclusion has been at the heart of the Bank's operations. ESAF Small Finance Bank is well on its way to becoming the country's leading social bank in the fight against financial prejudice. This accolade serves as a recognition of the Bank's tireless efforts to include the underserved and underprivileged in the financial system. The jury members praised the financial inclusion programmes of the Bank such as the Local Sustainable Economic Development Project, Balajyothi, Vayojyothi, etc. Additionally, they stated that each of these programmes is distinct and has a distinct objective, allowing individuals from various social groups to access the formal banking system.

Shri. K. Paul Thomas, MD and CEO, ESAF Small Finance Bank along with Smt. Mereena Paul, Co-Founder, ESAF, inaugurating the programme.
As a part of ESAF Small Finance Bank’s CSR initiative, Prachodhan Development Services organised Garshom Mela for guest workers at Thiroor, Thrissur on October 24th 2022. The programme provided a platform for the guest workers to celebrate Diwali in Kerala. Shri. K. Paul Thomas, MD and CEO, ESAF Small Finance Bank inaugurated the programme by lighting diyas. He also delivered the keynote address. Smt. Mereena Paul, Executive Director, ESAF Foundation and Smt. Emy Acha Paul, Director, PDS, graced the occasion with their presence. Senior officials of ESAF group entities, Shri. Abdul Gafoor, Assistant Labour Officer, Smt. Usha Kumari, Chairperson, Kolazhy Gram Panchayat Health Standing Committee, Smt. Mereena, Vice President, Mulangunnathkkavu Panchayat, Shri. Sunny, Excise Preventive Officer, representatives of the Police Department, CMID, and Project Coordinator of the Kismat project were also present during the event. A total of 515 migrants participated in the programme.

Shri. P. S. Suresh, ACP, Ollur, inaugurating the Thaneer Panthal in the presence of Shri. K. Paul Thomas, MD and CEO, ESAF Small Finance Bank and Shri. George Thomas, EVP, ESAF Small Finance Bank.

As part of the newly launched #Water2Earth campaign, ESAF Small Finance Bank set up a Thaneer Panthal (water booth) in front of ESAF Bhavan, Mannuthy. Shri. P. S. Suresh, ACP, Ollur, inaugurated the Thaneer Panthal on 22nd March 2023, World Water Day, in the presence of Shri. K. Paul Thomas, MD and CEO, ESAF Small Finance Bank. The initiative aims to provide free drinking water and buttermilk to the public during the summer.

As part of the celebration of Thrissur being recognised as a ‘Learning City’ by UNESCO, Thrissur Corporation along with ESAF Society, Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) and the School of Architecture and Planning of Government Engineering College, Thrissur, organised ‘Family-Friendly Thrissur’ on 20th November 2022. ESAF Small Finance Bank was an associate partner for the initiative. The event was titled, ‘Learning, Playful and Liveable Thrissur’. The initiative was aimed at enhancing the liveability of Thrissur city and making it more inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. As a result, the M.O. Road in Thrissur was virtually transformed into a world of joy, for both young and old, and the crowd witnessed a spectacle of artistic and athletic events from 3 PM to 8 PM. The competitions were inaugurated by Shri. P. Balachandran, MLA, Thrissur constituency, Shri. K. Paul Thomas, MD and CEO, ESAF Small Finance Bank, delivered the keynote address, Shri. M. K. Varghese, Mayor, Thrissur Corporation, inaugurated the valedictory session and Smt. Rajashri Gopan, Deputy Mayor, Thrissur Corporation, presided over the session.