-
Western Union, Thunes Tie Up to Boost Digital Money Transfer
With this deal, senders can now make the most of Western Union's emerging digital network. Alternatively, they can use an agent location to transfer funds straightaway to a recipient's mobile wallet.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
-
Viewpoint: Chase’s Checkless Account Won’t Make A Dent In The Unbanked Ranks
Economists at the Kansas City Federal Reserve looked into the factors associated with unbankedness. Not surprisingly, low income was a major determinant of not having a bank account. But the authors found that "a variety of other characteristics play a role in determining these households’ banking status."
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- North America
-
New partnership to boost financial inclusion in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
FSD Africa and Equity Bank Congo have entered into a new partnership that targets unbanked people in rural areas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
JPMorgan rolls out low-fee, checkless, no-overdraft accounts
Thasunda Duckett, chief executive of Chase Consumer Banking, said she hoped the new accounts will attract more low-income individuals and people who have never had bank accounts.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- North America
-
NatSave, Mastercard partner to drive digital transformation and financial inclusion in Zambia
The partnership supports Zambia’s National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2017 to 2022, which aims to increase financial inclusion from 59 per cent to 80 per cent.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
The Winds of Change: Mobilizing Microfinance for Climate Change Resilience
Though the world is slowly taking action on climate change, much of the debate still focuses on mitigation. In fact, adaptation – becoming resilient to the changes to come – is equally important, say Daniel Rozas and Sam Mendelson at e-MFP. They explore how the financial inclusion industry can help vulnerable communities develop resilience to the disruptions of climate change, and to adapt to permanently changed environments. This year’s European Microfinance Award aims to inspire the sector to make this fundamental shift – interested providers can apply for the €100,000 award until April 9, 2019.
- Categories
- Environment, Finance
-
Scaling Access to Finance: Two Recent Studies Explore the Supply and Demand Sides of Funding ‘Missing Middle’ Enterprises in Emerging Markets
Over $5 trillion: That’s the estimated size of the financing gap for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries – a shortfall that's particularly problematic for the much-discussed “missing middle.” Since these businesses form the backbone of local economic growth and job creation in many communities, we need to better understand the challenges they face, says Karina Avakyan at Triple Jump. She explores two recent publications that address both sides of SMEs’ financing equation.
- Categories
- Finance
-
From Credit Cards to the ATM: Why Interoperability is the Critical Next Step for Mobile Payments
One of the first modern disruptors to established payment methods was the credit card, which allowed people to simply sign for their purchases and be billed later. Then came the ATM, which helped to establish a web of bank networks. Mobile money systems are the latest disruptor, particularly in low-income markets where banking systems have not always served customers. But to grow and be financially inclusive, mobile money will need to replicate many of the same factors that drove the popularity of credit cards and ATMs, argues Vahid Monadjem, CEO of Nomanini.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
Subscribe to Our Weekly Newsletter, "NextBillion Notes"
Published each Wednesday, our e-newsletter features NextBillion's latest original articles, along with a selection of news, jobs, bizdev opportunities and events from our recent coverage — and regular conference ticket giveaways.
We respect your privacy. Your information is safe and will never be shared.
Don't miss out. Subscribe today.