Financial Inclusion for the Marginalized

Since 1989, we at Saath Charitable Trust have been working to transform slums into vibrant neighborhoods through our Integrated Community Development Programme. Understanding that poverty is complex and deeply rooted, we adopted a multipronged approach—one key aspect being the provision of community-based financial services for urban poor families who had little to no access to formal banking.

We saw firsthand that in many urban settlements, families—especially women—worked hard but were forced to rely on high-interest moneylenders due to the absence of savings habits, inaccessible banks, and lack of proper documentation. It became clear to us that financial discipline couldn’t be built through lectures alone. What was truly needed was a trust-based, community-rooted system that encouraged saving and provided fair access to credit.

Financial Clinics at Saath’s Urban Resource Centres

In low-income urban settlements, financial distress is an increasingly common crisis. Many families fall prey to cyber fraud, predatory lending, and fraudulent schemes due to lack of financial awareness, limited access to formal banking, and social pressures to invest in risky ventures. Alarming data shows a sharp rise in distress calls related to financial losses—indicating a growing need for support in managing money, protecting assets, and planning for the future. The absence of localized financial advice and legal recourse further deepens the vulnerability of these communities. There is a clear need to build community-level infrastructure that can provide trusted, practical, and proactive financial guidance.

What Has Been Its Impact :

• ● 2,400 individuals trained in financial literacy.
• ● 2,100 documentation linkages facilitated.
• ● 1,440+ residents receiving in-person support on financial queries.