Empowering people is enshrined in our mission statement which commits us to “mobilize resources and offer credit to maximize value and economically empower our microfinance clients.” Corporate social responsibility is the commitment of business to contribute to sustainable economic development working with employees, their families, the local community and the society at large to improve the quality of life for all the stakeholders. Economic prosperity goes beyond financial freedom, it involves the social aspects that govern our societies and forms the social fabrics that link communities. The end is to combine economic prosperity with social development. Equity Bank participates and contributes to various social projects and activities.

Financial Outreach

Access to financial services is a critical element of lifting people out of poverty thus empowering people. Recognizing that many citizens, particularly the low-income, lack access to affordable banking services, the Bank operates Mobile Van Banking services which takes services closer to the people. Presently, Equity Bank has a large number of village Mobile Van Banking centers. The Bank has a research and development program whose principle objective is to find ways and means of providing financial services to the poor. It is a research unit to help the Bank achieve its business model of being market-led.

Pre-University Internship Program

Since 2001, the Bank has offered scholarships to the best Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KSCE) student in every district that we operate. In 2005 a total of 60 students who sat their KSCE have benefited under the program. We have realized that in the past boyshave benefited disproportionately. Consequently, in the beginning of 2006 the program was expanded to two students per district, the best boy and girl, thus ensuring gender balance. The program assists students who have obtained excellent results at the end of their secondary school cycle most of whom come from underprivileged backgrounds to pay for their university education.

The beneficiaries of  Equity Pre-University Scholarship Program 2006 pose for a photo with Education Minister Hon. Noah Wekesa.

Determination to conquer their limitations is a major character of the students who are selected as they all look forward to pursue their studies which will help them provide a better future for their families and the society.

Community Service

The Bank’s corporate social responsibility supports and encourages our branches to be active members of the communities they serve. One of the popular community activities is supporting excellence in education by donating trophies and prizes to schools that excel or improve in their performance. Our branches in tea growing areas have an annual trophy for excellence in tea farming.

Another popular activity is financial education, provided by  staff members in barazas, churches and other community gatherings. The Bank also undertakes financial literacy at the Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) Trade Fairs in our regions of operation.

All our branches contribute to charity in their localities. The Bank has initiated a partnership with Meru Hospice to provide loans to persons living with HIV.