Since lending began in January 1990, ABA has taken a very measured approach in extending its services. All loans are given on an individual basis, without utilizing groups. Most promotion is done by the Extension Officer or by word of mouth from existing clients.

The Extension Officer is the key person in developing new clients. S/he is assigned to a branch office (currently 37). Each branch office has a specific geographic area to cover. The Extension Officer appraises the credit needs and develops the loan application in concert with the potential borrower. Applications are then reviewed and approved by the branch loan committee headed by the branch manager. In exceptional cases some applications are referred to control management. The exceptional cases usually arise when the proposed loan size exceeds the norms significantly.

Loan releases are made on scheduled days throughout the months. A schedule is determined at the beginning of the year, showing the dates of loan disbursements.

The operational approach to lending is both innovative and traditional. An approved borrower receives a check in the amount of the loan and signs promissory notes in the amount of the installments that will come due over the course of the loan. 

All borrowers who have repaid on time and in full are usually guaranteed subsequent finance and qualify for a larger loan.

For new loans, clients come to the branch office to receive their disbursement check and attend a 45-minute briefing/orientation session given by the Branch Manager.At the end of this session, disbursement checks are distributed. The briefing session has the following agenda:

-Manager explains history and purpose of ABA.
-Manager emphasizes importance of on time repayment.
-Manager describes non-financial services of ABA.
-Manager explains the contents of a folder, which is prepared for each client and includes  the loan check, a record book and a sticker with the ABA logo. Folders are disbursed to each client.

The Management Information System (MIS) operated by the project, is integrated into the operational approach. The MIS, along with the status of the current and previous loans maintains all information on the borrower. The responsible extension officer, along with a letter of collection, immediately follows up any late payers. If the repayment is still not made after one week, the loan is turned over to the Legal Department for formal recourse