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Vietnam May Soon Emerge As One Of Southeast Asia’s Blockchain Innovation Hubs
Looking at financial inclusion alone, only 31% of adults in Vietnam have bank accounts. But smartphone ownership is on the rise, with 40% of the population expected to own these devices by 2021, which means app-based, blockchain financial services could bring the underbanked into the fold.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Asia Pacific
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Study shows most American banks fail to offer safe, affordable checking
A report co-authored by University of Kansas researchers shows that a majority of American banks are failing to offer safe and affordable checking accounts, missing industry standards and shutting some out of the financial mainstream.
- Region
- North America
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Press release: IFC and Itaú Unibanco partner to improve financial education for women entrepreneurs in Brazil
IFC and Itaú will work to design and implement an eLearning video course directed to women entrepreneurs - owners or shareholders of businesses of all types and in any stage of maturity- in partnership with EduK, one of the largest online learning platforms in Latin America. The content of the course will include methodologies to evaluate the profitability of businesses as well as classes on growth strategies and techniques, and financial management.
- Source
- Press release
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Latin America
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New Financial Inclusion Initiative Aims to Reach 60 Million Nigerians with 500,000-agent Network
Known as the Shared Agent Network Expansion Facilities (SANEF), the initiative entails an aggressive roll out of 500,000 agent network to offer basic nancial services, such as Cash-in, Cash-out, funds transfer, bill payments, airtime purchase, government disbursements as well as remote enrolment on BMS Infrastructure (BVN) to an estimated 50 million Nigerians that are currently under-banked.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Tackling Poverty Close to Home: Why Acumen is Boosting Financial Health in the U.S.
More than 40 million Americans live below the poverty line, and a majority live paycheck to paycheck. That's why, after nearly two decades and over $110 million of impact investments in Africa, Asia and Latin America, Acumen has expanded its focus to include the United States. Amon Anderson and Sarah Willis discuss how Acumen America, through its financial inclusion portfolio supported by MetLife Foundation, aims to build a future where low-income Americans enjoy stability, protection and prosperity.
- Categories
- Finance, Investing, Social Enterprise, Technology
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One of UK’s biggest banks is going digital in Africa for a share of the mobile money market
UK bank, Standard Chartered, is making a play for the mobile financial services market in Côte d’Ivoire—where it has no physical presence—with the the launch of its first digital-only retail bank. The bank will offer digital services allowing users make transfers and pay bills.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Press release: Women’s World Banking, ExxonMobil Foundation and the Center for Global Development Announce New Global Initiative, She Counts, to Put Financial Tools in the Hands of Women
Today, Women's World Banking, the Center for Global Development, and ExxonMobil Foundation launched She Counts, a global initiative convening and harnessing the power of financial service providers committed to serving women. Announced at a special event hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations, She Counts aims to harness the power of financial services to put savings and financial tools in the hands of underserved women, enabling them to save securely and invest in their businesses.
- Categories
- Finance
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The Demonetization Crisis May Be Over, but the Time for Tech Upgrades in Indian Microfinance Is Now
India's 2016 banknote demonetization sent shockwaves through the country's microfinance sector, causing MFIs to write off US$ 1.1 billion in bad loans. In response, cash-dependent MFIs stepped up investment in fintech – but now that the crisis has passed, so perhaps has their sense of urgency. Elliot Rosenberg of Awaaz.De argues that the need to embrace tech is as strong as ever.
- Categories
- Finance, Investing, Technology
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