Shri. K. Paul Thomas, MD and CEO, ESAF Small Finance Bank, participated in the Sa-Dhan South India Conference as a panellist for the session on Financial Inclusion on 22nd February 2023. The topic discussed in the session was ‘Meeting the Funding Need – Opportunities and Challenges’. The session was attended by several eminent personalities. Shri. Tamal Bandyopadhyay, Consulting Editor, Business Standard, was the Moderator for the session. The eminent panel included Smt. S. Srimathy, Executive Director, Indian Overseas Bank, Shri. Venkatakrishna, CGM, NABARD, and Shri. Sadaf Sayeed, CEO, Muthoot Microfinance.

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.

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 & 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.

Shri. K. Paul Thomas, MD and CEO, ESAF Small Finance Bank, along with Smt. Mereena Paul, Co-Founder, ESAF, inaugurated 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, Mulangunnathukavu Panchayat, Shri. Sunny, Excise Preventive Officer, representatives of the Police Department, CMID, and the Project Coordinator of the Kismat project were also present during the event. A total of 515 migrants participated in the programme.