# SBP Banking on Equality Policy 2026: gender gap target of 25% by 2028

Source: Searchable (https://searchable.pk/news/economy/sbp-banking-on-equality-policy-2026-gender-gap-target-of-25percent-by-2028)
Type: News article
Author: Searchable Editorial
Published: 14 Oct 2026
Updated: 14 Oct 2026
Retrieved: 14 Oct 2026

> The gender gap in financial inclusion fell from 39% to 29% under the first policy. The second edition asks banks for simpler digital accounts, loans without collateral history and more women staff and agents.

**The State Bank of Pakistan has issued the second edition of its Banking on Equality Policy, setting banks new targets for women staff, women customers and loans to women-owned businesses.** The policy backs the National Financial Inclusion Strategy goal of cutting the gender gap in financial inclusion to 25% by 2028, [ProPakistani reported](https://propakistani.pk/2026/10/13/sbp-to-close-gender-gap-in-banking/) on 13 October.

## What the first policy achieved (2021 to 2025)

| Measure | 2021 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Gender gap in financial inclusion | 39% | 29% |
| Women's share of the banking workforce | 13% | 17% |

Banks hired more than 17,500 women over the period, the SBP said.

## What changes for women customers

- **Simpler digital accounts.** Banks are encouraged to offer easy-to-open digital accounts for women.
- **Loans without a credit history.** Banks are asked to use alternative credit assessment for women who have no formal credit record or conventional collateral.
- **Business banking.** Digital payment options for women-led businesses and financing products for women entrepreneurs.
- **Financial literacy.** Programmes to help women manage money and start businesses.

## What changes inside banks

Each bank sets its own targets for hiring women, reaching women customers and raising the share of women among its branchless banking agents. Banks are encouraged to provide daycare for working mothers and career paths that take women into senior posts. The SBP will check progress through quarterly data, regular evaluations and mystery shopping, in which inspectors pose as customers.

The specific numeric targets for each bank were not published in the report.

## What you can do now

If you run a small business and have struggled to get a loan without collateral, ask your bank what it now offers under Banking on Equality. Compare repayments first with our [personal loan calculator](/tools/finance/personal-loan-calculator), and see our [banking guides](/guides) for opening an account. Freelancers paid from abroad can check their tax with the [freelancer tax calculator](/tools/tax/freelancer-tax-calculator).

## Frequently asked questions

**What is the Banking on Equality Policy 2026?**

It is the State Bank of Pakistan's second policy to close the gender gap in banking. It sets banks targets for women staff, women customers and financing for women-owned businesses, aiming to cut the gap in financial inclusion to 25% by 2028.

## Sources

- SBP to Close Gender Gap in Banking (13 Oct 2026) (ProPakistani): https://propakistani.pk/2026/10/13/sbp-to-close-gender-gap-in-banking/

How to cite: "SBP Banking on Equality Policy 2026: gender gap target of 25% by 2028", Searchable, 14 Oct 2026, https://searchable.pk/news/economy/sbp-banking-on-equality-policy-2026-gender-gap-target-of-25percent-by-2028