SKS Microfinance Limited (SKS) is a non-banking finance company (NBFC), regulated by the Reserve Bank of India. SKS' mission is to provide financial services to the poor under the premise that providing financial services to poor borrowers helps to alleviate poverty. The company operates across 19 of 28 Indian states. SKS was founded in 1997 by Vikram Akula, who has served as its executive chair until November 2011.