6 Steps to Make Your Bank Branch More Inclusive for Women Entrepreneurs (Focus on AP 3)

Building a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) isn’t just about GDP or technology—it’s about inclusive growth. And that means making sure women entrepreneurs have equal opportunities to start, run, and expand their businesses.

Under EASE 7.0 (Enhanced Access & Service Excellence), Action Point 3 (AP 3) focuses on improving the customer experience and accessibility of bank branches, especially for underserved segments. And who better to focus on than women-led businesses, which are often full of potential but short on support?

Here are 6 practical, easy-to-implement steps your branch can take to make banking more inclusive and supportive for women entrepreneurs—helping them thrive and, in turn, helping India march closer to the goal of a Viksit Bharat.

1. Appoint a Women Banking Champion in Every Branch

As per EASE 7.0, Action Point 3 (AP 3) encourages branches to become more customer-centric. One impactful step is to designate a Women Banking Champion - a staff member trained and sensitized to handle the needs of women entrepreneurs.

This person becomes the go-to for:
• Business account setup
• Credit support and loan information
• Guidance on government schemes tailored for women

Having a dedicated officer doesn’t just improve service - it builds trust and familiarity. This simple move aligns directly with the goals of EASE 7.0 while pushing the needle toward a Viksit Bharat that supports every entrepreneur.

According to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), around 70% of women-owned SMEs in the formal sector across developing countries are unserved or underserved by formal financial institutions. Appointing a Women Banking Champion directly addresses this gap by ensuring that women entrepreneurs receive the attention, access, and resources they need to thrive.

2. Make the Branch a Safe and Welcoming Space

It’s important to ask: Does your branch feel welcoming to women? Inclusivity goes beyond policy - it involves the physical space and social atmosphere. EASE 7.0's AP 3 highlights the need for improved branch ambience and accessibility. Some effective ideas:

• Showcase women entrepreneur success stories on posters or digital screens.

• Add visible signage linking to women-friendly services or help desks.

• Ensure seating, restrooms, and waiting areas are safe, clean, and respectful.

Creating a space where women feel comfortable, respected, and valued has tangible benefits. According to the World Bank’s Global Findex (2021), 42% of female account holders in India had inactive accounts, compared to 30% of males—often due to discomfort, distance, or distrust in banking environments. By making branches more welcoming, banks can help reactivate women’s financial engagement, supporting the journey toward a Viksit Bharat.

3. Promote Women-Centric Loan Products & Schemes

Governments and banks offer plenty of financial schemes to support women-led businesses like Stand-Up India, PMEGP, or Mudra Yojana. But many women aren’t aware of them, or don’t know how to apply.

Under EASE 7.0, AP 3 encourages proactive communication. Here’s what you can do:

• Keep ready-made flyers of women-targeted schemes at the counter.

• Proactively inform and explain products when a woman opens a business account.

• Organize mini “Loan Info Days” just for women entrepreneurs.

This outreach not only empowers women but strengthens your branch’s image as a partner in their success fueling both financial inclusion and the journey toward a Viksit Bharat.

4. Simplify the Credit Access Process for Women

Many women entrepreneurs, especially first-timers or those in rural areas, face a common roadblock - credit hesitancy.

EASE 7.0’s AP 3 suggests using tech and training to simplify credit delivery. At the branch level, this means:

• Clearly explain documentation and steps, in the local language if needed.

• Offer help filling forms, especially for those without prior banking experience.

• Waive or simplify credit appraisal for small-ticket loans under special women’s schemes.

By handholding them through the process, your branch becomes more than a lender, it becomes a partner in growth, strengthening the mission of EASE 7.0 and paving the way for a Viksit Bharat led by confident women leaders.

5. Run Financial Literacy Sessions for Women

A major focus of Viksit Bharat and EASE 7.0 is enabling financial independence. For women entrepreneurs, that starts with knowledge.

You can:

• Organize monthly workshops on digital payments, working capital management, GST, etc.

• Invite successful local women entrepreneurs to share experiences.

• Partner with local NGOs or SHGs (Self Help Groups) to reach grassroots women.

Even 10-15 participants a session can create a ripple effect in the community. The more financially savvy women are, the more they’ll engage with your branch and the more they’ll contribute to India’s inclusive development goals.

Fun Fact: India has over 8 million women-led MSMEs, but many still lack access to formal banking. Your session could be their first step toward financial empowerment!

6. Use Data to Track and Improve Inclusivity

Under EASE 7.0, banks are increasingly adopting data-driven decision making. Your branch should track:

• Number of new accounts opened by women entrepreneurs

• Number of loans disbursed to women-led businesses

• Satisfaction feedback from women customers

This will help you:

• Spot gaps (e.g., fewer loan applications from certain age groups)

• Understand where support is most needed

• Build a case to expand women-focused services

EASE 7.0 promotes accountability and transparency. Using data helps your branch show results, attract recognition, and fine-tune strategies to keep supporting women better every year - pushing toward a more empowered, inclusive Viksit Bharat.

Real-Time Case Study: EASE 7.0 Driving Impact on the Ground

In early 2024, a public sector bank branch in a semi-urban area of Bihar took proactive steps under EASE 7.0 Action Point 3 to support women entrepreneurs. The branch appointed Women Banking Champions, improved branch accessibility, and conducted loan awareness camps and financial literacy sessions.

Within three months:

• 415 new business accounts were opened by women

• Over ₹1.85 crore in loans were disbursed to women-led enterprises

• The branch recorded 92% satisfaction among women customers

A local woman used a small business loan to expand her homemade food business, doubling her income and becoming a source of inspiration for others in her community.

This real-world example highlights how simple, targeted actions under EASE 7.0 can make a meaningful difference in building a more inclusive and empowered Viksit Bharat.

Final Thoughts

Making banking inclusive isn’t a tick-box exercise, it’s about empathy, empowerment, and action.

Through EASE 7.0 and specifically Action Point 3, PSU banks have a unique opportunity to transform how women engage with financial services. And your branch plays a direct role in that.

Let’s recap the 6 steps:

1. Appoint a Women Banking Champion

2. Make your branch safe and welcoming

3. Promote women-centric financial products

4. Simplify the credit process

5. Organize financial literacy sessions

6. Track inclusivity through data

By adopting these, your branch won’t just be a fulfilling policy, you’ll be changing lives. And when we empower women, we empower families, communities, and eventually, the nation.

Let’s work together for a more inclusive banking system. Let’s work together for a Viksit Bharat with EASE 7.0 guiding the way. Check out CBSL group for more. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Action Point 3 (AP 3) of EASE 7.0, and how does it support women entrepreneurs?

AP 3 focuses on improving the in-branch customer experience, especially for underserved groups like women entrepreneurs. It encourages PSU banks to adopt measures like appointing Women Banking Champions, improving physical spaces, and proactively promoting women-focused financial products to make banking more inclusive and accessible.

2. What is the role of a Women Banking Champion in a branch?

A Women Banking Champion is a trained staff member who assists women entrepreneurs with business account setup, loan options, government schemes, and other financial services. This role builds trust, reduces barriers to banking, and ensures personalized, gender-sensitive support in line with EASE 7.0.

3. How can banks make their branches more welcoming to women?

Banks can:

• Improve branch ambience (clean restrooms, safe waiting areas)

• Highlight women entrepreneur success stories

• Display signage for women-centric services

These enhancements make women feel more comfortable and respected, encouraging greater financial participation.

4. Why is financial literacy important for women entrepreneurs, and how can banks support it?

Financial literacy empowers women to manage money, understand credit, and grow their businesses. Branches can organize workshops, partner with NGOs or SHGs, and invite successful women leaders to conduct sessions. These efforts support the broader goal of financial independence and inclusive growth.

5. How does data tracking improve inclusivity for women in banking?

By monitoring account openings, loan disbursements, and customer feedback specific to women, banks can identify service gaps and make informed decisions. 

This data-driven approach aligns with EASE 7.0’s vision for transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in serving women entrepreneurs.