-
OPINION: The Reserve Bank of India’s welcome conservatism
More than four years after the then Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee announced the government's intention to issue more banking licences, this has indeed been done. In 2010, there was much fervour about financial inclusion and, against that backdrop, new banks were seen as an important means of boosting capacity and penetration of financial services.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
-
OPINION: Why RBI’s decision on a Post Bank of India is a slap for Finance Ministry
The RBI’s decision on Wednesday to “consider” the application of Department of Posts for a banking license “separately in consultation with the Government of India” is literally a slap in the face for the finance ministry.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
-
Reorienting Financial Inclusion in India
Fixing small business finance is a great place to start improving financial inclusion. This is a reform that is overdue and should not wait.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
-
India Announces First Bank Licences in a Decade
India on Wednesday announced it was issuing two new bank licenses for the first time in a decade as it accelerates a push to bring more Indians into the formal banking system.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
-
Microfinance Can Be…: Month of Microfinance aims to “radically transform” microfinance, bring the focus back to clients
Microfinance was intended to be about clients, and designing products that would meet their financial needs. But in her research on MFIs, Laura Dick found that all too many seemed more interested in their repayment numbers or other institutional goals. The Month of Microfinance was launched, she says, to refocus the sector on the needs of the poor and radically transform it from the inside out.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment
-
Behind the Scenes at Financial Inclusion 2020: Elisabeth Rhyne outlines the next steps in the movement to achieve global financial access
The Financial Inclusion 2020 Global Forum brought together hundreds of leaders to dedicate themselves to quality financial access for all by 2020. Since October, the Center for Financial Inclusion has been following up on the insights generated at the summit, and laying the groundwork for the next big push. Elisabeth Rhyne discusses the movement’s progress and next steps.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
-
Rwanda’s Push for Financial Inclusion: The government has set a target of 90 percent financial inclusion by 2020
Six years ago, the 2008 FinScope survey found that just 21 percent of Rwandan adults were participating in the formal financial sector. Largely in response to these figures, the government launched bold initiatives focused on financial inclusion. Now, according to World Bank researcher Douglas Randall, signs of progress are everywhere.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
-
Vodafone to roll out M-Pesa services in Andhra Pradesh, Kerala
Vodafone India and ICICI Bank are planning to roll out mobile money transfer and payment service in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. With this, Vodafone India will cover almost all states in India, thereby enabling people to send, deposit or receive money through mobile phones.
- Categories
- Uncategorized