Across the globe, Alliance member institutions have continued to roll out new programs, establish new partnerships and launch innovative products to support the female economy. These are some examples.

ATB Financial in Canada launched W by ATB. This initiative will support women in business through a comprehensive value proposition that includes access to financial and non-financial services, including networking opportunities. The bank is enabling the program’s rollout with gender intelligence trainings for all business banking team members. 

BancoSol in Bolivia partnered with a women entrepreneur’s accelerator, Pista 8, to launch a training program for 150 women in three cities. Deputy General Manager Verónica Gavilanes also spoke at a workshop hosted by UN Women and the Bolivian microfinance association ASOFIN, where she shared about the bank’s women-centered strategy and its business performance.

NedBank in South Africa launched the Supercharge Her Growth online speaker series to highlight underreported topics about women and finance. The series kicked off with a session called “The Business Case for the Female Economy,” headlined by Alliance CEO Inez Murray.

Westpac launched the National Rugby League (NRL) RISE Rookie Program to provide female rugby players, coaches and performance staff in Australia with development opportunities. As part of this initiative, Westpac worked with the NRL to develop a financial literacy module that will be delivered as part of the 2023/24 RISE Rookie program. It also partnered with Foxtel to produce a TV show focused on the women’s rugby league to raise the profile of female players.

Banco Davivienda’s subsidiaries in Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama joined the Partnership for Central America by signing the In Her Hands Gender Pledge Agreement. Inspired by US Vice President Kamala Harris, the pledge aims to reach five million women in the region with jobs, technical training and financial inclusion by 2030.

Enat Bank in Ethiopia launched a new line of products and services for women called YeEnat Gebeta, named after a traditional plate on which a variety of foods is served. The bank’s “plate” contains options for women small business owners to access loans using savings instead of collateral; preferential interest rates on loans and savings; and an emergency loan for immediate financial needs such as unforeseen health events.

The City Bank in Bangladesh revamped its City Alo American Express Credit card with new rewards for women, including 10 percent cash back on purchases at select grocery stores, beauty salons and restaurants, as well 2X membership reward points at a wider range of merchants. The bank also hosted a three-day women’s entrepreneur fair, during which 32 women business owners accrued BDT 2.3 million ($21,300) in sales.

NDB Bank held four sessions in-person financial advisory sessions for over 200 women entrepreneurs in three Sri Lankan provinces, focused on topics such as refinancing, debt-management, and managing financials during a crisis.