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Bhubaneswar, 4/3/2022 ( Odisha Samachar )- Seema Prem, Co-founder & CEO of FIA Global has successfully brought millions under the banking umbrella in India. FIA Global is a culmination of Seema’s desire for social inclusivity, the freedom to experiment with cutting edge technology like AI and a love for travel.
FIA is an equal opportunity employer and has more than 4,000 women bank mitras, who have been instrumental in bringing people from India’s rural sector under the banking umbrella. Of the 45 million banked by FIA, more than 50% are women. For Seema, 45 million is not just a NUMBER. It’s a way out of poverty. Of Financial empowerment. Of Financial Security.
Name: Malati Lata , Age: 43 , State: Odisha
Working as Bank Mitra for the past 6 years.
Malati Lata was a housewife. Looking after her children, completing her household chores was her focus. She was a content housewife, raising her son and daughter and listening to the stories her husband narrated to her, after he came back from work. He worked in the social sector and sometimes she too would help him in his work.
Malati had never seriously thought about being financially independent or that she too could earn. Until one day FIA’s state head Mr.Bibhuti met her. Over several discussions and cups of tea, Malati was ready to explore the idea of becoming a Bank Mitra. The idea that “I could earn too” was novel and she was eager to discover what lay ahead.
For the first time in her life she was going to interact and engage with others in the community as a working woman. She was going to be an instrument of change by helping bring banking services to those who didn’t have access to them, and she was excited.
At the age of 36, Malati stepped out of the threshold of her home. And her life changed forever. Today, after 6 years Malati has become a successful Bank Mitra and has helped 2,700 mostly women and senior citizens, open bank accounts. She earns close to Rs.3-4 lakhs annually through commissions and couldn’t be happier with her progress. This was her money that she had earned by dint of her own hard work. It felt so liberating.
From the initial account opening services that Malati was able to provide, she has grown to include withdrawals and deposits, Recurring Deposits, STDR, Old age pensions and Jeevan Jyoti policy. As Malati has grown in confidence and learnt the ropes, she has also added to her skills set by learning how to operate the computer. It seemed a natural next step and as part of her work.
Malati has grown from the unsure, tentative housewife to a confident woman, who works from morning 8 am to evening 8 pm as she continues to visit homes not only in her area, but other distant villages, to help people understand the benefits of banking services. She is dedicated and believes that FIA’s goal and vision of financial access and financial inclusion for everyone is one of the best ways to help women become independent and bring about a more equitable society. Like she says, “If I can earn, so can they. Everything is possible.”
After 6 years, 2.7k bank accounts, thousands earned by way of commissions, her 2 children successfully studying engineering, Malati is an embodiment of fierce commitment, hard work and fulfilment. Malati is the ripple that brings about a quiet change.
Thank you Malati, for being a financial inclusion champion.
