Yes Bank uniquely positioned itself to champion the concept of responsible banking.

The bank is committed to innovative banking practises to stimulate Indias development and provide solutions to nations entire socioeconomic pyramid. The vision was to promote financially inclusive growth by selectively investing in those businesses that are socially and economically responsible. The result of this vision was the evolution of Yes banks Development Banking group. The Development Banking group has been classified as: 1] Responsible Banking in thought 2] Responsible banking in action Responsible banking in thought: Responsible banking in thought was a think tank to develop and incubate products and services that could be business solutions to social problems. This group worked in 3 strategic areas: 1] Client engagement 2] Thought leadership 3] Internal engagement This group advised other firms on their own corporate social responsibility practises partnered to support and disseminate key knowledge on social issues and optimised the internal efforts of Yes banks personnel. Responsible banking in action: This can be further subdivided under various divisions as: 1] Agriculture, rural and Social Banking [ARSB] and Microfinance 2] Sustainable Investment banking group 3] Inclusion banking 4] Private equity

1] Agriculture, rural and Social Banking: This division was initially borne out of banks need to fulfil RBIs PSL requirements but gradually translated the requirements into opportunities. The division partnered with companies having solid history of outreach and agricultural value chain expertise in offering customised financial solutions to their large base of farmers. Two resounding successes were deals involving Kashmir Apiaries Exports [KAE] and Jain Irrigation Systems Limited through which bank could access significant number of farmers and exceeded its PSL requirements.

Microfinance: Yes Bank launched an initiative called Yes Sampann through which it reached microfinance clients directly through its own branches and distribution networks and provided complete package of technical assistance and support. This project generated an active portfolio of INR 45 million. The Development group also created a microfinance institutions group that focused on providing term loans and working capital to MFIs. Its clients included companies like Equitas Microfinance, SKS Microfinance, etc Through MIG, Yes Banks rural banking portfolio became one of the highest among Indian commercial banks. 2] Sustainable investment banking (SIB): The Sustainable investment banking group of Yes bank provided specialised investment advisory services to sustainability focused ventures. SIB group targeted socially driven companies in the fields of education, healthcare, microfinance and livelihood creation. Its client included Greenko Group, a power producer operating in renewable energy sector. 3] Inclusion banking: Inclusion banking of Yes Bank was built on 2 initiatives: A] Money Mobile services B] Rural banking through Business Correspondent model Money mobile services: This programme was called as YES-MMS model and consisted of a Nokia cell phone with a preembedded application that allowed the user to open an account with Yes Bank and use the banking platform for financial transactions. Rural banking through Business Correspondent model: Through this model, the bank identified target villages within a radius of 30 kms from a rural bank or semi-urban branch and recruited potential parties who could serve as bank correspondents. The responsibilities of bank correspondents include identification of borrowers, processing and verification of loan applications and offering credit and non-credit products. 4] Private Equity fund: Tatva Capital is a private equity fund structured as a pledged syndicate composed of Yes Bank and upto 3 financial institutions. Tatvas purpose was to make equity investments in early stage commercial enterprises dedicated to healthcare, education, food and agriculture, housing and employment creation at the base of the socio-economic pyramid. A $200 million South Asian Clean Energy fund was also created to invest in unlisted companies across South Asia involved in renewable energy, energy efficiency and sanitation solutions.

Comparison of Yes Bank with other Banks: Though Yes Bank has considerably lesser number of branches than its competitors like HDFC and ICICI Bank, it offered complete banking solutions for emerging Indian companies as well as enterprise owners and created a name for itself.