-
How Can Fintech Serve the Poor? A Q&A with CGAP CEO Greta Bull
As fintech innovation transforms the financial sphere, what are the implications for low-income and unbanked individuals? Greta Bull, CEO of CGAP, explored this question in a widely read essay earlier this year, and NextBillion followed up to get a deeper sense of her views on fintech's potential (and practical) impact. Her thoughts offer an important barometer of an organization and an industry in transition, as the tech revolution continues to reshape financial inclusion.
- Categories
- Finance
-
Press release: Bamboo Capital Partners, Government of Togo and Moeda Seeds Bank launch first-of-its-kind blended finance technology impact fund with €100 million target
Florian Kemmerich, Managing Partner of Bamboo Capital Partners, commented: “For the last two decades, Bamboo has played a pioneering role in developing funds that harness the power of technology to leapfrog poverty in emerging markets. Today, the BLOC Fund represents a new frontier for global technology impact funds. BLOC’s blended finance approach will catalyse further investment and generate lasting impact in some of poorest regions in the world.”
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Jamaica Microlenders Fear Business Fallout From Regulated Rates
The bill known as the Micro Credit Act proposes to link loan rates to treasury bill rates and the cost of issuing micro loans.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Latin America
- Tags
- microfinance
-
Lending to Rwandan Farmers Boosts Financial Position of MFIs
With commercial banks shying away from financing the agriculture sector because they consider it to be highly risky, MFIs remain the biggest lenders to farmers--especially smallholder farmers.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
A microloan can help poor people in Bangladesh. What about New Jersey?
The Grameen Bank, one of the pioneers of microfinance, which has been operating its program in Bangladesh since the 1970s, released a study on one of its programs in New Jersey. The program works like this: Low-income women apply for a microloan as part of a small group, and all members of the group are accountable for ensuring each member makes payments.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- North America
-
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
-
Press release: Microfinance is Instrumental in Alleviating Financial Hardship in the United States – Early Results of an MDRC Study of Grameen America
The first-of-its-kind random assignment study examined 1,492 women (in 300 loan groups) who applied in groups of five to the Grameen America microlending program in Union City, New Jersey. Applicant groups were assigned at random into two groups: those eligible to receive Grameen America loans (the program group) and those not eligible (the control group). The outcomes of the two groups were compared over time.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- North America