The network of business correspondents (BCs) has evolved into the backbone of financial inclusion in rural India. However, it continues to face challenges, which were further aggravated during the COVID-19 pandemic. This blog highlights three key issues that hinder the sustainability of the BC model.

On 11th March, 2020, WHO declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. Given the nature and extent of the outbreak, Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Bangladesh and MSC initiated a study to understand its impact on banking agents. Based on the study, this report provides recommendations to help build resilience to the pandemic.

This blog talks about the Financial Inclusion Lab accelerator program, which is supported by some of the largest philanthropic organizations across the world – Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, J.P. Morgan, Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, MetLife Foundation and Omidyar Network.

This blog covers the diverse strategies of FinTechs both big and small to adapt to the situation and overcome the challenges brought forth by the pandemic.

This blog covers the challenges and opportunities born from the COVID-19 pandemic, for both small and established FinTechs, particularly in the emerging markets. It sets the stage for part two, where we discuss how these FinTechs face these unprecedented challenges.

As COVID-19 has pushed the start-up world into chaos, many are redrawing their survival strategy to deal with an unprecedented pandemic. This blog draws key lessons from survivalist Bear Grylls for start-ups to tide over these wild and uncharted times of crisis.

About a year back in August 2018, MSC collaborated with the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad’s Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship to start the journey of Financial Inclusion Lab. The Lab currently receives support from the J.P. Morgan, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, and the Omidyar Network. The Lab supports start-ups that develop innovative, technology-enabled solutions in the areas of financial technology, livelihoods, and skilling for the benefit of low- and middle-income (LMI) communities. MSC provided technical assistance (TA) to these start-ups. This blog focuses on the lessons learned from this TA program where we highlight six key insights that could be helpful both to investors, consultants, and other organizations which plan TA programs for similar start-ups.

Bootcamps designed by the JPMC FI Lab allow start-ups to introspect and reflect on their “growth and accelerate” needs. This blog brings out the lessons and experiences from these bootcamps.