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Indian MFIs Say All Is Now Well in Loan Repayment
While India’s cash-dominated microfinance sector was reeling under stress following the recall of high value currencies, sector leaders such as Ujjivan Financial Services and Bharat Financial Inclusion have come forward to defuse concerns raised by stakeholders.
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- Uncategorized
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- South Asia
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America’s Poor Still Lack Access to Basic Banking Services
Despite a sprawling and varied financial industry, more than one-quarter of Americans don’t have adequate access to basic banking tools, such as checking accounts, credit cards, or loans for instance. That group—known as the underbanked—is made up of those who suffer the most from growing inequality and systemic marginalization: Americans with low incomes, those with less than a college degree, and minorities.
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- Uncategorized
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- North America
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China’s Zhongyuan Bank to Replicate Grameen Microcredit Model
Zhongyuan Bank Co Ltd, a leading banking group in China, has signed an agreement with Grameen Trust for replicating Grameen Bank's microcredit model on a large scale in China.
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- Uncategorized
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- South Asia
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- microfinance
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India’s demonetization makes low-deposit accounts ‘parking lots for black money’
Jan Dhan accounts, integral to the Modi government’s plan for financial inclusion and direct benefit transfer, were meant to have a transformational role in the uplift of the underprivileged, but, ironically, demonetisation has made them a parking lot for black money. Official sources told FE that these accounts saw transactions of R19,250 crore in the 10 days to November 19; over R15,000 crore was deposited and some R4,250 crore was withdrawn.
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- Uncategorized
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- South Asia
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OPIC Announces $3.7 Billion in New Commitments for FY2016
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the U.S. Government’s development finance institution, today announced $3.7 billion in financing and insurance commitments during Fiscal Year 2016 to support economic development in emerging markets. OPIC’s portfolio reached a record-setting $21.5 billion across 100 developing countries and the Agency marked the 39th year of achieving its mission at no net cost to taxpayers.
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- North America
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- insurance
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New Pathways to Financial Inclusion for Low-Income Women
Developing countries have made great strides on financial inclusion in recent years, but a gender gap remains. A new report analyzes women’s stories and their detailed cash flows over time from financial diaries data collected in Kenya, India and Mexico, offering insight into why women in emerging economies don’t use formal financial services to the same extent as men.
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Pakistan’s Central Bank Calls India’s Cash War ‘Extreme’
Pakistan’s central bank Governor Ashraf Mahmood Wathra called India’s shock clampdown on cash an “extreme” step to boost financial inclusion, tax collection and battle graft, as the neighboring nation implements its own plans to double the number of people using banks within four years.
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- Uncategorized
- Region
- North Africa & Near East
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MIX and MetLife Foundation Partner to Promote Financial Inclusion Through Data and Insight
MIX announced today an $825,000, 2-year partnership with MetLife Foundation to promote financial inclusion by providing insight into financial service access in Mexico, Myanmar, Turkey and Vietnam. Through rich data, analytical tools and interactive dashboards, decision makers in these countries will have a powerful new resource to ensure positive social outcomes for the financially underserved.
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- Uncategorized
- Region
- North America