WE Finance Code 

Commitment letter  

Banka Ekonomike Sh.A. is pleased to endorse the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code (hereinafter the “WE Finance Code” or the “Code”), a global initiative aimed at closing financing gaps and removing constraints for women entrepreneurs.  We are committed to working in partnership with other stakeholders in Kosovo to provide leadership, improve data and implement concrete actions to advance this agenda. 

As a Signatory to the WE Finance Code, Banka Ekonomike Sh.A. commits to the following under each of the three pillars of the Code: 

Leadership Commitments: 

1. We designate Ms. Xhenete Bekteshi, as Banka Ekonomike’s WE Finance Code Champion, responsible for representing our institution in the national coalition and coordinating implementation internally. 

1. Banka Ekonomike will mobilize internal resources by allocating a dedicated budget for implementation of the Code, including staff training, marketing activities, and IT system upgrades. 

1. Banka Ekonomike will designate WMSME ambassadors in regional branches, serving as focal points for supporting women-owned and women-led businesses. 

1. The Bank will develop and deliver training for SME loan officers on gender equality and unconscious bias to strengthen internal capacity and awareness. 

1. Banka Ekonomike will publish a dedicated section in the Annual Report focusing on gender equality, women in business, and our progress under the WE Finance Code. 

Data Commitments: 

1. Banka Ekonomike will collect and report to the CBK the reasons for loan application rejections experienced by WMSMEs. 

1. Banka Ekonomike will upgrade internal IT systems to enable sex-disaggregated data collection and ensure readiness to report under the national definition. 

1. Banka Ekonomike will align its internal data systems with the nationally agreed WMSME definition and report to the Central Bank accordingly. 

1. Sex-disaggregated data and gender analysis will be incorporated into the Banka Ekonomike’s Annual Report to inform outreach, product development, and business strategies. 

Action Commitments 

1. Banka Ekonomike will review and redesign existing products to ensure they better meet the specific needs of women entrepreneurs based on WE Finance Code dashboard insights and market data. 

1. Banka Ekonomike will increase the share of WMSMEs in the total portfolio, the number of WMSME clients and the value of investments directed toward women-owned MSMEs. 

1. Banka Ekonomike will introduce a one-year zero account maintenance fee for newly onboarded women-led MSMEs. 

1. Banka Ekonomike will develop tailor-made programs of financial products that respond to the specific needs of women-owned MSMEs. 

1. Banka Ekonomike will apply preferential loan pricing to women entrepreneurs to enhance access to finance. 

1. Banka Ekonomike will promote cross-selling by offering women-led MSMEs access to a broader range of products—loans, payments, savings, insurance, and digital banking—ensuring women benefit from integrated and growth-oriented financial support. 

1. Banka Ekonomike will promote the women-owned business segment across its portfolio and positioning as an institution that supports women entrepreneurs through targeted promotions, success-story campaigns, social-media engagement, and outreach initiatives to highlight financing opportunities and support for women-owned enterprises