This Note analyses the possible impact of these regulatory and political changes on the microinsurance sector, and predicts the state of the sector in Uganda in near future. Our predictions are based on the assumption that the IRA will be a strong regulator and national policies will be sincerely and effectively implemented. Though it is still a speculative to pre-empt the market, we believe that conventional insurers, as well as microfinance players will soon be able to realise the strategic potential of microinsurance in their portfolio.
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State of Business Correspondent Industry in India – The Supply Side Story
This paper is based on a survey conducted by MicroSave in March 2012, with eleven leading BCNMs. The survey included gathering information on a variety of key outreach, transaction and activity metrics and a questionnaire to elicit qualitative aspects of BC operations.
Micropensions: The Scope and Progress to Date
This Note assesses if there is an adequate business case for micropensions in India. It also identifies the uniqueness in the existing micropension models in India. Delivering a long term savings instrument like pensions to the low income segment is a huge distributional as well as behavioural challenge. The success of any micropension scheme will ultimately depend upon: 1) The level of trust a distributor enjoys from its clients, which is essential for a long term association; 2) The outreach of the distributor, to bring scale; 3) Efficiency, to handle operations in a timely manner, and 4)The revenue model of the scheme, which will decide whether the commission is sufficient to motivate the distributor to mobilise resources.
Health Emergencies: How Do The Poor Pay?
This Note details the ways low income families in India deal with their medical exigencies in the absence of quality public heath care facilities – through a variety of savings, loans and distress sales. Thus medical emergencies create very difficult situations for the poor, depleting their resources – financial, social and physical. Health insurance programmes may provide an opportunity to help the poor manage health risks. However, the idea of health insurance is new to the low income population. Reasons like inappropriate products, lack of insurance awareness, limited trust in the insurance agents, previous experiences of fraud, or lack of trust in insurance companies add to the poor penetration of such schemes.
Understanding Demand for Financial Products among the Youth of Central Java
In Indonesia, over 20% of youth are neither in school nor employed, and over 50% of youth in the labour market are unemployed or underemployed. MicroSave conducted market research to understand the needs for financial products and perceptions of existing financial products amongst the youth of central Java. MicroSave’s Product Development Framework was used to design a suite of client responsive products. Major financial stress points and aspirations of the youth were assessed. The team further segmented the market based on age and marital status. The preference of the segments were analysed using a segment preference matrix. Finally the team suggested a mix of products to be piloted for the youth.
Understanding Demand for Financial Products among the Youth of Central Java
In Indonesia, over 20% of youth are neither in school nor employed, and over 50% of youth in the labour market are unemployed or underemployed. MicroSave conducted market research to understand the needs for financial products and perceptions of existing financial products amongst the youth of central Java. MicroSave’s Product Development Framework was used to design a suite of client responsive products. Major financial stress points and aspirations of the youth were assessed. The team further segmented the market based on age and marital status. The preference of the segments were analysed using a segment preference matrix. Finally the team suggested a mix of products to be piloted for the youth.