This Note examines the difficulties faced by low income households accessing banking services and presents a case for the acceptance of BC model for expanding the reach of banking services. It concludes that the key objective of financial inclusion, to offer all households affordable financial services, can potentially very well be achieved with BC as a delivery channel, if it can be made viable for banks and BCs.
Blog
BancoSol: Latin America’s First Commercial Microfinance Bank Part 1
In this video Jaime Zegarra, regional manager of BancoSol at El Alto in Bolivia talks about the ways in which the bank forms part of the community and connects with its clients. BancoSol is a true microfinance pioneer. As Latin America’s first commercial microfinance bank it has been much copied but never surpassed. Jaime says that they began their coverage of BancoSol by focusing on its operations in El Alto, a sprawling city on the “Altiplano” above La Paz, one of the highest cities in the world.
Revival: Responding to High Dormancy Levels in No Frills Accounts
To March 2010, about 50.6 million No Frills Accounts (NFAs), with an outstanding balance of Rs.53.86 million, were opened by banks. However, a significant number of new customers acquired by banks under the inclusion effort have remained dormant. This Note concludes that although there is high dormancy in the NFAs, these accounts represent a large potential client base. Banks need to work on designing innovative products, improved delivery mechanisms, and appropriate marketing and incentives for the BC model. Customers are willing to pay for the banking services offered by BCs and this user-friendly financial inclusion model can go a long way towards boosting the use of NFAs substantially.
Deposit Assessment in Nepal
Commissioned by IFC, MicroSave conducted the “South Asia Deposit Assessment” studies to increase understanding of the demand and supply of savings products among poor in Nepal. The reports highlight regulatory and operational challenges for financial institutions and mobile banking platforms that want to serve the low-income market.
Deposit Assessment in Bangladesh
This report attempts to understand the demand and supply of savings products among poor in Bangladesh, and highlights regulatory and operational challenges for FIs and mobile banking platforms in the country.
The Answer is “Yes”- Cost and Willingness to Pay in India
MicroSave is undertaking a series of research studies to support the financial inclusion agenda in India. This multi-region study focuses specifically on the services business correspondents provide in rural areas – and whether or not this particular customer segment thinks the greater convenience and other potential benefits are worth paying for.