Grameen Koota achieves milestone of a million microfinance customers

Bangalore-based NBFC-MFI, Grameen Koota Financial Services Pvt Ltd (Grameen Koota) has reached a new milestone of a million microfinance customers, which is a testimony to its strong client-centric approach aimed at providing holistic financial and social services.

Grameen Koota, with 3,000 employees working in 270 branches spread across Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, reached one million customers with a portfolio of Rs.1, 602 as of 30th June 2015.

As part of its future mission, Grameen Koota has been striving to reach over two million poor and low income households through financial products and development services by 2020.

Founded as an NGO project in 1999 by Vinatha M. Reddy to cater the need of micro-credit to the rural low-income households, the MFI was modeled after taking inspiration from the success story of Nobel Laureate Prof.Muhammad Yunus and his Grameen Bank. Suresh K Krishna as Co-Promoter and Director supported her in this initiative, which has grown largely after its transition into a non-banking financial corporation (NBFC) in 2007-08.

On reaching one-million customer base, Vinatha M Reddy, who is also Chairperson of Grameen Koota, said, "As a responsible MFI, Grameen Koota will continue its meaningful work with renewed commitment and reach out to thousands of other unbanked households in the coming years."

Suresh K Krishna, Co-Promoter & Director of Grameen Koota, echoed similar views when he said, "The success of Grameen Koota is also a demonstration of the need and relevance of microfinance services to the poor and low income households. Grameen Koota will continue to be client centric organization and provide need based microfinance services in a transparent manner. I also thank and recognize the efforts of over 3,000 employees who have been working tirelessly, with the passion to see change in the community."

Udaya Kumar, Managing Director and CEO of Grameen Koota, said: "We serve with our responsible lending principles along with social focus by providing financial literacy, micro-credit for all their needs, awareness on social, economic, education, health hygiene, water, sanitation etc. Customer Retention of over 90% validates our pro-poor business and social focus."

Grameen Koota is backed by CreditAccess Asia and Creation Investments Capital Management, MFI focus investors.

Ken Vander Weele, Co-Founder and Partner of Creation Investments, said, "We are very pleased to be a shareholder in Grameen Koota. The Company has been uniquely able to manage rapid growth without ever compromising on the quality of service to its clients or the principles of client protection and care."

Grameen Koota is one of the five financial institutions in the world and one of three 3 microfinance institutions (MFI) in India to have been honored by Smart Campaign for having met all the client protection principles.