Blog

Analysis of India’s payment system indicators in Q3 2020

Posted on by MSC

The COVID-19 pandemic has compelled many users to seek digital payments as they look for convenience and wish to keep themselves safe from the risk of infection. This “new normal” presents opportunities for institutions to make digital payments meaningful in the daily lives of 600 million low- and middle-income people in the country. MSC’s study covers five categories of payment system indicators—cash, contactless payments, Aadhaar-enabled Payment System, card-based payments and transactions, and remittances and money transfers.

 

 

 

 

SSN MFS report (Phase II): Assessment of Social Safety Net disbursements, Bangladesh

Posted on by MSC

The Aspire to Innovate (a2i) program in Bangladesh has been working with various government ministries and departments, including the Department of Social Services (DSS), to digitize payments under the social security net (SSN). MSC conducted the second phase of evaluation of the digitized SSN in March, 2020. This report captures insights from beneficiaries, agents, and DSS officials during the enrollment, disbursement, and withdrawal of SSN payments. It also measures changes made since the first evaluation and provides recommendations for further improvements in the banking and government delivery process.

Click here to access our report on the first phase of evaluation.

 

 

 

 

SSN MFS report (Phase I): Assessment of Social Safety Net disbursements, Bangladesh

Posted on by MSC

The Aspire to Innovate (a2i) program has been working with various government ministries and departments, including the Department of Social Services (DSS) to digitize payments under the social security net (SSN). This report highlights MSC’s evaluation of the digitization and provides field insights captured from beneficiaries, agents, and DSS officials during the enrollment, disbursement, and withdrawal of SSN payments. It also identifies legacy process changes in the new digitized processes and recommends improvements in the banking and government delivery process.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impact of COVID-19 on banking agents in Bangladesh

Posted on by MSC

In recent years, agent banking in Bangladesh has gained tremendous impetus to drive financial services and accelerate financial inclusion. The Aspire to Innovate (a2i) program, through MSC, commissioned a study to gauge the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on banking agents. This report provides recommendations for the Ministry of Social Welfare and Banks to help build resilience to the pandemic.

You can access the online discussion here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Responding to COVID-19 in Kenya- A demand-side view from Kenya

Posted on by MSC

MSC conducted research to understand how the low- and middle-income (LMI) segments cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. We covered five countries—Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Kenya, and Uganda. In Kenya, we spoke to 162 low- and moderate-income households to examine how this pandemic has affected their lives and their efforts to survive. This report from Kenya offers a glimpse into their challenges, concerns, and new opportunities in these trying times.

The rise of digital payments and online shopping in Vietnam amid Covid-19 pandemic

Posted on by MSC

Vietnam has benefited greatly from digitized services in battling the pandemic. Wallets saw increased traction for P2P transfers, bill payments, and P2M payments for essential services, owing to the lockdown and aversion to the exchange of cash. Meanwhile, super apps like Grab, Zalo, MoMo, Now, and Tiki gained significance as they offer the convenience of online shopping, digital payments, and delivery services to the average Vietnamese.

The i3 Program, with support from the MetLife Foundation, creates opportunities for merchants to go digital and makes the digital ecosystem of Vietnam more inclusive and seamless.

This video explores the digital journey of Vietnam during COVID-19.