Tag: Bangladesh

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.

In 2021, MSC focused on sectors like MSME, agriculture, microfinance, gender, youth, climate change, and digital finance. We took a deep look into measures to minimize the pandemic’s impact on the LMI segments. Here is a roundup of our most-read blogs in 2021.

The case study charts how Shakti Foundation for Disadvantaged Women utilized technology to grow its SME portfolio and enhance cost and time efficiency. Through the use of technology, it offered customer-friendly services and helped staff members manage their loan portfolios better while managing associated risks.

MSC and Swiss Capacity Building Facility(SCBF) launched the new reports on the impact of the COVID-19 on the low- and moderate-income populations as well as micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Asia and Africa, through an interactive webinar on 28th  of January, 2021.

MSC conducted research to understand how the low- and middle-income (LMI) segments cope with the COVID-19 pandemic in five countries. This report from Kenya offers a glimpse into their challenges, concerns, and new opportunities in these trying times.

Since the onset of the pandemic, the low- and moderate-income (LMI) segment had a direct impact on their day-to-day life. We reflect through Kabita, an LMI customer in Bangladesh, on the barriers LMIs faced during the pandemic and how DFS nudged them towards building resilience.