With the growing scale of the MFIs, the competition they provide for Government-sponsored SHG programmes and imminent IPOs from SKS, Share and Spandana, the Government and RBI, are showing growing signs of disquiet. The commercialisation of Indian microfinance has allowed a massive increase in outreach and expansion of credit to the poor in India, at rates of interest that are (by world standards at least) relatively modest … but there are many that wish that the path to growth had been more moderate, controlled, patient and focused on the double bottom-line.
Blog
Mobile Payments – Rethinking Partnership Strategies?
Almost all mobile payment strategies require a close and complex set of relationships between mobile network operators, banks, reseller agents and payment solution providers. This note explores some of the key issues in defining these partnerships. For MFIs the key opportunity is the emergence, in some markets, of large networks that can be leveraged to transform the operations of a MFI without the need for a “partnership” with the provider.
Compartamos Achievements Outreach and Financial Sustainability Part 2
In this video series-2, Carlos Danel, Founder and Co-CEO of Compartamos Bank Mexico speaks about the link between the growth story and the issue of pricing or the interest rate policy. Talking about the interest rate policy, Carlos says that the policy has remained the same before and after the IPO. He adds that the policy allows skill to drive better efficiency that is to be translated into better pricing for the clients. He further says that the pricing policy has remained stable and has helped in raising the bar within the industry in Mexico.
Practical Advice to Reach a Tipping Point in M-Banking Solutions
M-banking is maturing into a global industry, such that it is possible to determine the steps that providers have taken to reach a tipping point. This Briefing Note seeks to provide pointers and ideas for achieving scale. It examines: providing value addition to cash; incentivising customers; building an agent network; transaction drivers; how pays and how; and where to provide services.
M-Banking Agent Selection
Selecting the right agents is critical to the success of a mobile banking initiative, especially during the most difficult introductory period as the solution seeks acceptance in its target market. This Briefing Note reviews agent selection, management and retention.
Microfinance In India: Built On Sales Targets or Loyal Clients?
The core market for MFIs is the very weaker sections as defined by the priority sector lending requirements of the Reserve Bank of India. As such, MFIs offer a tremendous opportunity for the state, (which wants to see these vulnerable groups “financially included” with access to a range of financial services, particularly credit) and to the banks, (which need to achieve their priority sector lending requirements). Strong relationships and in-depth understanding of the needs of clients are key to addressing the problems of multiple borrowing and over-indebtedness. MFIs will need to diversify the range of services they offer to encompass insurance, savings and even remittance services – probably through m-banking platforms.