It provides facilities for savings and fixed deposit accounts, thus inculcating thrift. The impetus to form the Bank came from a recognition that mainstream commercial banks failed to address the specific needs of poor, self-employed women. In March 2012 the Bank had 165,175 loan accounts and more than 371,000 savings and deposit accounts, amounting to a total outstanding deposit base of some INR 1.11 billion (US$20,813,800) at the end of financial year 2011-2012. For example, it offers a unique loan product that provides up to INR 100,000 for repaying high-cost debts taken earlier from largely exploitative moneylenders.