-
Opportunity or Threat: Are Healthy Partnerships Possible Between Digital Financial Services and Microfinance Institutions in Bangladesh?
Microfinance institutions in Bangladesh reach over 32 million customers with a loan portfolio of around US $9 billion. According to Jakirul Islam at Bank Asia, partnerships with digital financial services (DFS) could benefit both microfinance and DFS providers and their customers – but these partnerships are not functioning at their full potential. He shares four key benefits that are driving interest in these collaborations, and explores their inherent challenges – and some partnership models that could address them.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
-
Whatsapp Partners With Common Services Centers for a Digital Literacy Service Chatbot
The government describes CSC as a 'strategic cornerstone' of the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP), approved by the government in May 2006, as part of its commitment in the National Common Minimum Programme to introduce e-governance on a massive scale.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Asia Pacific
-
Viewpoint: The Importance of Digital Microfinance for Emerging Markets in a COVID-19 World
Digital products and features that speak directly to customer needs are most likely to have an impact, particularly during a time when we’re seeing a spike in digital inquiries as a result of the stresses and concerns prompted by the pandemic. Real-time advice and quick access to practical solutions that enable quick action are among the most direct routes to improved financial health during an increasingly challenging time.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance
-
Viewpoint: Yes, There Are Growth Investment Opportunities During Market Volatility
While equities, credit and interest rates race toward a recession, long-term investors have a compelling entry point into the businesses reshaping the global economy.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Missed Calls = Missed Opportunities: How Starlogik is Converting a Mobile Billing Loophole into an Inclusive Innovation
The mobile telephony industry has done a remarkable job reaching poorer people in developing countries. But as Ignacio Mas at the Digital Frontiers Institute points out, this success has been shaped by customer ingenuity too – for instance, through the common practice of reallocating call charges by requesting call-backs via missed calls. He explores how Starlogik has formalized this billing loophole to create a mutually beneficial new feature.
- Categories
- Technology
-
Press Release: Worldremit Partners With Onfido to Deliver a Simple, and Faster Verification Process for Customers
WorldRemit has today announced a new partnership with Onfido, the global identity verification and authentication company, to make it easier and quicker for customers to open an account with WorldRemit, to send money abroad.
- Categories
- Finance
-
Co-Existence of Cash and Digital – the Key to Financial Inclusion Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
In these critical times, the Government & Regulatory Bodies like National Payment Corporation (NPCI) of India have urged people to opt for digital or contactless payments. There were two main reasons for this. Firstly, using digital payments would reduce social/physical movement of people and secondly it will minimise any possible risk of spreading virus via cards or ATMs.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance
- Region
- South Asia
-
Sparrow’s RefugeeMobile Program Shows Smartphones Help Refugee Families Arriving in the US Resettle More Successfully
The results are in: research shows that smartphones help refugees resettle more successfully. RefugeeMobile, a smartphone program launched in May 2016 with the goal of helping refugee families arriving in the US resettle more successfully, has developed a proven program for refugees who have access to smartphones and data service. Recipients are more likely to integrate, be employed, and have higher paying jobs, according to new research.
- Categories
- Technology
Parent Organization
