-
Press release: BFA’S Catalyst Fund Initiative that Accelerates the Future of Fintech in Emerging Markets Reaches 20 “Inclusive Fintech” Companies
“Bank accounts and payment transfers are receiving a lot of attention and are growing in the number of subscribers, but they aren’t being used with the frequency that you’d expect,” said David del Ser, a Director at BFA. “We’re accelerating inclusive fintech companies whose solutions will achieve greater usage and help address the complete financial lives of these populations — there is great need and demand for these kinds of products and services in emerging markets.”
- Categories
- Finance
-
Three Steps (and One BFF) for a Perfect Bank-Fintech Match
Finding "The One" has never been easy: you have to know what you want, set appropriate filters, determine mutual understanding, and, of course, remember to take things slow. Fintechs and banks may not seem like natural partners, but as of late they're pairing up more than ever. With so many hurdles to cross, it's only natural that they could use a little help – and that's why BFA and MetLife Foundation teamed up to play matchmaker. In this piece, Maelis Carraro, senior associate at BFA, outlines how they brought together two new fintech-bank power couples in Latin America.
- Categories
- Finance
-
Press release: IFC, Mastercard Foundation present key tool to expand digital financial inclusion
“Agent banking and mobile money have begun to transform the financial landscape in many African markets, and there is an increasing body of evidence to show that this has real, positive impact on people’s lives and livelihoods,” said Riadh Naouar.
- Categories
- Finance
-
Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System targets 500,000 agents to boost financial inclusion
The Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc has relaunched an e-payment platform, mCASH, targeting 500,000 agents, in a bid to deepen financial inclusion in the country.
- Categories
- Finance, Telecommunications
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Announcing the Latest NextBillion E-book: Insights and Innovations in Financial Health
In response to a growing recognition that financial access alone doesn’t guarantee social impact, many of the sector’s leading voices are shifting their focus to financial health. MetLife Foundation and its partners explored that topic on NextBillion's Financial Health site, through 20 articles that discuss what’s working—and sometimes, what’s not working—in inclusive finance. We’ve compiled these articles into an e-book, which you can download and share here.
-
Mobile Phones Driving Zimbabwe’s Financial Inclusion, but Gender Gaps Persist
The Global Financial Index 2017 noted that Zimbabwe has accomplished a considerable achievement in enhancing financial inclusion, but also indicated that the country has a long way to go in order to catch up with nations like Kenya, where account ownership is over 80 percent of the adult population.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Realizing blockchain’s potential for social impact
As is usually the case with disruptive new technology, blockchain comes with a lot of hype. While its best-known application, bitcoin, divides opinion and makes banks and governments nervous, the technology may have great potential to advance social good.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
-
Beyond Inclusion: How Mission-Based Small Business Lenders are Evolving Their Definition of Impact
While microfinance institutions have grown rapidly around the globe, so too has economic inequality in developed countries. More than two decades ago, Accion in the U.S. and Opportunity Fund responded by adapting their microlending model from low-income markets to the United States. Gina Harman and Luz Urrutia, the respective CEOs of those two organizations, share new research on small loans have impacted revenues and profits for borrowing entrepreneurs, most of whom lacked the financing and resources they needed to start or grow their businesses.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
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.