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India’s Business Correspondent Model is Revolutionary – and It’s Failing: Here’s How to Turn Things Around
For years, India's banking system struggled to reach poor, rural populations. But the global revolution in digital payments has created new opportunities to connect these households with formal finance. One such approach – the business correspondent model – has shown promise, bringing a network of tech-enabled banking agents into underserved communities. But as Moin Qazi explains, the model is facing challenges that are undermining its considerable potential. He explores some key solutions for changing this dynamic.
- Categories
- Finance
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FirstBank, Azuri partner to bring solar to millions and deepen financial inclusion in Nigeria
More than 60 million of Nigeria’s roughly 200 million people do not have bank accounts and as little as 6% of people have a mobile money account.
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Brazilian Fintech Nubank Launches Debit Card To Reach 120M Clients
Brazilian fintech Nubank has launched a debit function for its card offering as well as the ability to withdraw cash from ATMs, in a move that aims to extend its reach to as many as 120 million customers.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Latin America
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Bank of Ghana Begins Overhaul of Microfinance, Rural Banks
Even as public attention remains focused on the fate of Ghana’s universal banking industry, with only a month left to the dead line for recapitalization to a minimum of GHc400 million, the Bank of Ghana is now commencing with its plans to overhaul the country’s micro-finance and rural banking industries.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Alipay to acquire 45% shares of Pakistan’s Telenor Microfinance Bank
Alipay is a part of the internet giant Alibaba, which is Chinese retail, internet, technology, and AI company. On the other hand, Telenor Microfinance bank is Pakistan’s first scheduled microfinance bank that provides small loans to people who aim to set up their own business to come out of poverty.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- banking, banks, MFIs, microfinance
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Viewpoint: What developing countries can teach America about banking
For many, the inability to even get to a physical branch — bank branches are highly concentrated in urban areas — means that they don't have access to banking services at all. As a result, about 6.5% of American households still don't have a bank account, while another 18.7% are "underbanked" — they have an account, but also use check-cashing or payday loans. In all, over 60 million adults are unbanked or "underbanked" in this country.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- North America
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Netherland’s FMO arranges US $ 50mn syndicated loan for Nations Trust Bank
This syndicated transaction is FMO’s first repeat deal for NTB, following a subordinated loan which was provided 8 years earlier to further the bank’s ambitious growth strategy.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- banking, banks, development finance, emerging markets, LMICs, SMEs
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Bill Gates Foundation eyes Kenya’s mobile money with Mojaloop software
Mojaloop will be expected to connect the six mobile money providers and 44 registered banks upon securing approval.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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