Women’s Financial Planning

Addressing Gender Disparities in Finance: The Role of Value-Based Institutions

Value-driven financial organizations are addressing the multifaceted challenges women encounter in the finance industry, such as the gender pay gap, the elusive glass ceiling, overlapping responsibilities, financial literacy gaps, and limited female mentorship. These banks are actively implementing initiatives to reshape the financial landscape, promote gender equality, and create an inclusive environment for women.

These progressive banks extend support to encourage women’s investment endeavors, provide access to previously inaccessible capital, facilitate networking opportunities, and foster mentorship programs that empower women to establish their businesses and enhance their financial well-being. Moreover, they are committed to bridging the gender gap within their workplaces, ensuring equitable representation of women at all organizational levels.

While there is still much work to be done to achieve gender equality across the finance sector, the positive examples set by institutions within the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) network serve as inspiring models. These actions taken by value-based financial institutions are poised to encourage other banks and financial entities to adopt similar measures.

Navigating Challenges: Women in Finance

Combatting the Gender Pay Gap: An Ongoing Challenge in the Finance Sector

The gender pay gap is a pressing issue for women in finance, with female professionals consistently earning less than their male counterparts for similar roles. This discrepancy is particularly pronounced in the finance sector, where recent data suggests a substantial pay gap of up to 66% between women and men occupying executive positions at similar career levels.

However, the gender pay gap extends beyond the finance industry, impacting businesses across the board. According to the London Stock Exchange, eliminating this gap could unlock over £140 billion in the UK alone, offering significant benefits to businesses far beyond the financial services sector.

Some financial institutions are taking proactive steps to address this issue. For instance, GLS Bank in Germany is advocating for equal pay and leading by example. They have been transparently reporting the unadjusted gender pay gap since 2020, and their efforts have resulted in a decreasing pay gap.

In Canada, new legislation has been introduced to compel employers to publicly disclose reports on their gender pay gap. Notably, Vancity, the largest community credit union in the country, has voluntarily been sharing this information since 1997, demonstrating their commitment to gender pay equity.

Shattering the 'Invisible Glass Ceiling': Advancing Women's Careers in Finance

In the finance industry, the presence of an invisible glass ceiling has become a significant obstacle for women striving to advance their careers. Gender discrimination remains a pervasive challenge, hindering women’s progress. Recent data from the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) indicates that women make up two-thirds of the total finance workforce. However, this number significantly dwindles when examining finance executive roles, with only a quarter of these positions occupied by women, as reported by the Financial Alliance for Women.

The disparities in career advancement for women in finance are a cause for concern. Nonetheless, there are encouraging developments within the GABV network. For instance, Caja Arequipa in Peru recently appointed María Pía Palacios Mc Bride as the Chair of the Board, marking the first time in thirty-six years that a woman has held this position. Her appointment not only brings valuable female leadership to the institution but also underscores a renewed commitment to addressing gender and sustainability issues.

Several GABV-affiliated banks in Latin America are reevaluating their internal processes with a gender-focused perspective. Banco Solidario in Ecuador, for example, signed a partnership agreement with UN Women to enhance gender inclusivity in access to financial products and services, as well as in overall bank management. This initiative aligns with the bank’s significant female client and employee base, with 54% female clients and 62% female employees. Furthermore, in 2022, 58% of individuals trained in financial education by the bank were women.

Drawing inspiration from these efforts is Ekobanken, another GABV member in Sweden, where the invisible glass ceiling appears to have been shattered. The bank’s CEO, Maria Flock Åhlander, is a woman, and gender parity is evident throughout the organization. The board, management team, deputy CEO (credit manager), CFO, Chair of the Board, and Head of the Customer department are all equally represented by women and men, reflecting a commitment to gender equality.

Boosting Financial Literacy: Empowering Women Beyond the Finance Sector

Insufficient financial literacy is a pressing concern affecting not only women working in finance but also those pursuing various career paths. In the United States, for example, a staggering 3.8 million American women possess literacy skills categorized as “basic” or below. This educational gap poses formidable challenges, impeding women’s ability to embark on entrepreneurial journeys, secure job opportunities, access essential financial services, or decipher complex financial documents like bank statements and credit card agreements.

The repercussions of limited financial literacy skills are far-reaching for women, encompassing burdensome credit card debts, student loan defaults, and formidable obstacles in managing income, taxes, and investments. Fortunately, numerous banks within the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) network are actively addressing this issue by championing financial education initiatives tailored to women, equipping them to harness financial services and unleash their entrepreneurial potential.

For instance, the Bank of Palestine has unveiled two comprehensive programs specifically designed to assist women entrepreneurs in efficiently managing their businesses. These initiatives provide women with an array of financial and non-financial services, empowering them to navigate the business landscape with confidence. In Nepal, the Muktinath Bikas Bank has introduced a groundbreaking service aimed at promoting women’s adoption of banking services and fostering digital payment usage. Similarly, BRAC Bank in Bangladesh has launched the “Tara” program, which not only offers banking solutions but also imparts financial knowledge. This initiative, established several years ago, has been instrumental in boosting women’s self-esteem and enhancing their decision-making capabilities through knowledge sharing, networking, and professional development opportunities across the country.

Charlotte Assumani, an entrepreneur in the Democratic Republic of Congo, epitomizes the success stories stemming from enhanced financial literacy. Charlotte has been a loyal customer of the microfinance institution FINCA DRC for over 15 years in Kinshasa. Faced with limited income as a military wife, Charlotte took the bold step of establishing a small business—an eatery and clothing store—to bridge the financial gap and provide her children with educational opportunities. Her determination and resourcefulness have not only transformed her life but also serve as an inspiring testament to the transformative power of financial literacy and access to financial services.

Charting the Path to Gender Equality in Finance: A Brighter Future on the Horizon

While the gender gap in finance remains an enduring challenge, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. The remarkable progress achieved by value-based banks, exemplified by GABV members, stands as a testament to the positive change that can be realized within the financial sector and beyond.

It is evident that there is still much work to be done in the journey toward gender parity. However, the potential for transformation in the financial landscape is promising. Value-based banks have emerged as pioneers in advancing gender equality and are not only setting benchmarks for the industry but also inspiring other businesses to follow suit.

The pursuit of gender equality should be a paramount objective for companies across all sectors. Value-based banks, and ideally traditional banks in the future, have a pivotal role to play in shaping these standards. By extending credit access or offering preferential interest rates to businesses that prioritize gender equality, financial institutions can catalyze change at a systemic level.

Strategic collaborations with like-minded organizations are pivotal in this endeavor. Triodos Bank, for instance, has partnered with Money Movers, a UK-based non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women to redirect their savings and investments toward climate-positive providers, thereby driving climate action. In Bolivia, BancoSol has joined forces with Hábitat para la Humanidad to provide training and certification in plumbing to 43 women, empowering them with valuable skills.

These compelling examples illustrate how value-based banks are actively contributing to narrowing the gender gap through their core banking activities. The question that looms is whether traditional banks will follow this trailblazing path toward a more equitable financial landscape.

Challenges often encountered in women’s financial planning