That a share of population can be partially or totally excluded from the access to credit affects the development of a community. The social role of bankers is part of a research field that takes into account the externalities of banking activities. Recent experiences and developing innovations are very useful in further strengthening the social role of the banker. Welfare models are changing, from a distribution scheme to a "generative" scheme. Social banking can lead to a more effective use of public resources compared to traditional operating schemes, supporting local development through the empowerment of individuals. We provide a schematic description of such methodological tools and related impact assessment methodologies, with a tentative ranking of the different alternatives. We present a reflection on the demand side, strengthened by the general decline observed in debtors’ creditworthiness over the last years, and on the supply side, with reference to the financial innovation developed in the national and international experience. We reflect on the general positive cultural attitude, also in industrialized countries, towards the aims of social credit, and microcredit as special case. Finally, we stress the need for an effective framework for impact analysis as a prerequisite for the investment of public and private resources