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Understanding the Coping Strategies of Financially Distressed Households: New Data Shows Their Value — And Lasting Consequences
COVID lockdowns had a grave impact on the financial health of low-income communities around the world — and as Scott Graham, Anahit Tevosyan and Andrée Simon at FINCA International point out, further financial shocks are a virtual certainty for these households. They share data gathered during the pandemic that reveals the coping strategies FINCA clients used to navigate the crisis — and they discuss how these strategies have left low-income households vulnerable to future economic disruptions and income shocks.
- Categories
- Finance
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Fewer ‘Heropreneurs,’ More Heroic Women: Grameen Foundation’s New CEO Discusses Her Vision for the Organization – And the Broader Financial Inclusion Sector
When Zubaida Bai was announced as the new CEO of Grameen Foundation last month, she says the news was often met with two reactions: “Wow, is Muhammed Yunus your hero, too?” and “Oh, Grameen Foundation — they do microfinance, right?” As Bai writes, these reactions highlighted some common misunderstandings about Yunus and Grameen Foundation — and about the real heroes behind anti-poverty work. She explores these misconceptions, and shares her vision for Grameen Foundation and the financial inclusion sector.
- Categories
- Finance, Social Enterprise
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From Grameen Bank to Global Scale: The New Edition of a Classic Book Highlights the Hard Truth – And Enduring Value – Behind Microfinance
In 1996, Grameen Foundation founder Alex Counts published “Small Loans, Big Dreams,” a well-regarded account of the origins and early years of the microfinance sector. Counts recently published a new edition of the book, which reflects on the ongoing evolution of the industry, and responds to critics who have questioned its role in international development. Longtime microfinance leader and analyst Elisabeth Rhyne discusses the book, and explores what these new updates tell us about the current state of the global microfinance sector.
- Categories
- Finance
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The Power of Trust in Digital Finance: How to Leverage Trusted Technology to Maximize Inclusion and Impact
Trust can be a significant barrier to engagement in digital financial services among low-income users. According to William Derban at Opportunity International, that means providers must often take measures to address this trust deficit when developing digital services that target these customers — particularly women. He discusses Opportunity International's new Trusted Tech Microfinance Initiative, and shares six ways the initiative is working to build clients’ trust in the technologies Opportunity and its microfinance partners are using.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology, Telecommunications
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Bamboo Capital Partners Exits Banco Popular After Triple-Digit Growth
Through its investment in Banco Popular in 2012, Bamboo has positively impacted the development of local microfinance companies in Honduras.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- Latin America
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India Donates USD 2.5 Million to Support Education, Healthcare of Palestinian Refugees
UNRWA services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, protection, and microfinance among Palestinian refugees.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- Asia Pacific
- Tags
- microfinance, refugees
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Friend or Foe to the World’s Poor? Settling the Microfinance Debate
Two stubbornly unresolved debates keep casting doubt on how much benefit microfinance brings to its customers.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Global
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Press Release: U.S. Government and Khushhali Microfinance Bank sign $25 Million Commitment to Empower Women and Micro and Small Businesses in Pakistan
The partnership will support micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs) and women-led businesses in Pakistan.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- North Africa & Near East
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