Swadhaar FinAccess is a Microfinance Institution (MFI), focused on the urban poor. It is headquartered in Mumbai, India and commenced operations at Kherwadi, Bandra(E), in March 2006.  Swadhaar is registered as a non-profit company under Section-25 of the Indian Companies Act of 1956. It has received registration under section 12AA of the Indian Income Tax Act and donations to Swadhaar are eligible for benefits under Section 80(G). 

Swadhaar operates in an urban milieu to provide loans to the poor, who would otherwise have little or no access to the formal financial sector. While some of their basic livelihood needs could be met through small loans, they lack access to financial institutions and financial products that might cater to these needs. The lack of access to finance could be one of the most significant obstacles to the reduction of urban poverty. It is increasingly being recognized that the poor need financial services tailored to their needs, and can make viable clients if these needs are met.

The SEWA Bank Information Update for 2003-2004 estimates that almost 75 million (7.5 crore) poor households in India - 60 million (6 crore) in rural areas and 15 million (1.5 crore) in urban areas - require credit support to sustain one or more livelihood activities. Models for microfinance that have proved to be successful and replicable in India, work largely in rural areas. Despite the tremendous need for financial services for the urban poor, few models have addressed the challenges for service provision in the urban context.  This is the gap that Swadhaar aims to address, starting with Mumbai.  

Swadhaar provides two types of loans – group loans (Swahit) and individual loans (Swayog). The loans differ in their delivery mechanism, with one being given to members of a joint liability group, and the other on an individual basis. Swahit is offered to women who form a JLG of a minimum size of 3 and each member receives the loan based on need and a financial evaluation. Swayog, on the other hand, is offered to both men and women and the loan sizes granted under this product are comparatively larger. 

Swadhaar is also a business correspondent for ICICI bank and Citibank and offers savings accounts to its clients in that capacity.