World Bank group member IFC today said it has invested in a start-up microlender Utkarsh to diversify its product offerings,develop processes and introduce a social audit system.
The IFC-supported project will initially focus on Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and Utkarsh aims to reach an estimated 250,000 women borrowers by June 2013,IFC said in a statement.
“We are helping Utkarsh strengthen internal systems and develop operational tools that can help them reach more clients in a sustainable manner,” said Jennifer Isern,who leads IFC’s access to finance work in South Asia.
The Varanasi,UP-headquartered Utkarsh has registered constant growth and attracted new investments in spite of the difficult days being faced by the microfinance sector for the past one year,the statement said.