Incentives remain a critical factor besides others to steer agents’ decision-making to onboard or continue their business with a particular agent network manager (ANM). The level of compensation affects the motivation of BC agents and, in turn, the quality of service they provide through these agent outlets. This deck analyzes the journey of the FinTech platform Eko and how its new incentive structure for its large network of agents impacted their business.

“We see the potential volume, but do we design profitable products for low-and moderate-income (LMI) people?” MSC faces this question repeatedly in discussions with our clients across Asia and Africa—including our partners in Bangladesh and Vietnam under the MetLife Foundation-funded i3 program. In the first blog, we raise the question on the key behavioral biases to keep in mind to create compelling, engaging, and profitable products for the low- and moderate-income segment. The second blog speaks of the similarities and differences in the LMI segment in Bangladesh and Vietnam. The blog also takes you through the lives and struggles of two personas—Morium from Bangladesh and Hoang from Vietnam.

“We see the potential volume, but do we design profitable products for low-and moderate-income (LMI) people?” MSC faces this question repeatedly in discussions with our clients across Asia and Africa—including our partners in Bangladesh and Vietnam under the MetLife Foundation-funded i3 program. Through this two-blog series, we question key behavioral biases to consider while creating compelling, engaging, and profitable products for the low- and moderate-income segment. The first blog speaks of the macro-economy and demography of the Bangladesh and Vietnam markets. We also take you through the digital financial services progress in both countries and the steps governments take to expand digitally. The next blog in this series will look at the similarities and differences of the LMI segment in Bangladesh and Vietnam.

The waves of digitization and technological advancements have led to the opening of MFS accounts for 60% of the population in Bangladesh. The country now boasts more than 1.1 million agents. Despite the widespread use of MFS and internet access, only 9.1% of people access the formal credit system. Digital credit can be a stepping-stone in Bangladesh due to the lower cost of delivering credit through digital means, combined with the mass digital readiness of consumers. Several solutions have emerged from banks, NBFIs, FinTechs, MFSPs, MFIs, and development partners, such as City Bank’s “Nano Loan” product pilot to Prime Bank’s loan product for blue-collar workers. Together, stakeholders are trying to forge partnerships to address problems around access to credit and social development in Bangladesh.

This blog talks about Finarkein Analytics, a technology service provider platform focused on simplifying the information value chain through its unique and innovative data analytics solution

XaasTag is an AgTech start-up that provides a digital, collaborative online marketplace. The platform connects agricultural commodity producers, such as farmer producer organizations (FPOs) at one end and institutional buyers at the other, and enables them to directly sell and buy from each other.

Aggois is an AgTech startup that provides short-term credit solutions to farmers in India against the sale of their produce. It has identified a critical financing gap that farmers face between the time they harvest one crop and sow the next. This blog explains how the startup has worked to mitigate this gap and uncover opportunities and challenges.

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.