MONEY
SBI unveils over Rs 4,500-crore, social loan scheme to empower women
- IBJ Bureau
- Mar 08, 2026
State Bank of India (SBI) has launched a $500-million (around Rs 4,597 crore) syndicated, social, term-loan facility, focused exclusively on women’s empowerment with a green-shoe option.
According to a statement from the lender, this syndicated transaction – coinciding with the Women’s Day on March 8 – is a milestone for SBI and the global ESG financing landscape for the noble cause of women’s empowerment.
The financing is focused on accelerating social impact and demonstrates SBI’s commitment to reduce “the gender gap”. It also contributes meaningfully to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 (Achieve Gender Equality and Empower all Women and Girls).
SBI Chairman C S Setty has said: “On this Women’s Day, we are happy to announce that as a responsible organisation, we are deeply committed to fostering women’s empowerment as a cornerstone of sustainable development.”
“This landmark social loan embodies our dedication to environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles, with a sharp focus on creating opportunities for women. We believe that true progress depends not only on economic growth but also on our ability to drive positive social change, empower women and build an inclusive society for all stakeholders.”
The transaction is the first of its kind by SBI, aimed at supporting gender equality and inclusive economic growth. It is expected to be the largest gender-themed loan globally, representing a landmark initiative in sustainable finance by an Indian financial institution.
Report By
View Reporter News