Case study India’s First Women’s Bank - Bharatiya Mahila Bank

Abstract

India launched the Bhartiya Mahila Bank (BMB), its first public sector bank for economically empowering millions of women across the country, in 2013. This bank is meant for those women who do not have access to basic financial services such as bank accounts or loans. Access to a bank account is essential for women's economic empowerment as it provides a safe place to save money and opens up a channel to credit which can be used for investing in education, property or in a business. BMB is a good beginning in the direction of women empowerment in India. Nevertheless, pro-active emphasis should be on rural areas and less-educated / illiterate women folk irrespective of their earnings. It will create more job opportunities for women and will pay special attention to the weaker and more neglected sections of women.