Searching: Research & Analysis

Regulating Transformational Branchless Banking

In a fast increasing number, policy makers and regulators in other developing and transition countries are embracing “transformational branchless banking”—the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and nonbank retail channels to reduce costs of delivering financial services to clients beyond the reach of traditional banking.

Toward a Social Performance Bottom Line in Microfinance

This Brief discusses the industry's growing interest in social performance and new advances in measuring social performance and developing guidelines and tools for reporting.

CGAP Reflections on the Compartamos Initial Public Offering

On April 20, 2007, Banco Compartamos, a microfinance institution (MFI) that was launched in 1990 and originally funded by grants from various sources, including CGAP, completed a landmark initial public offering (IPO) of its stock.

Beyond Good Intentions

This Focus Note highlights the emerging emphasis on social performance in microfinance and reviews some of the assessment tools recently developed.

Guaranteed Loans to Microfinance Institutions: How Do They Add Value?

This Focus Note looks at recent experience with guarantees of commercial loans to microfinance institutions (MFIs).

Use of Agents in Branchless Banking for the Poor

For poor people, “branchless banking” through retail agents may be far more convenient and efficient than going to a bank branch.

AML/CFT Regulations: Balancing Security with Access

This Brief addresses anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism as it relates to microfinance.

AML/CFT Regulation

Across the world, new measures are being introduced to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism. All financial service providers, including those working with low-income communities, are—or will be—affected by these measures. This paper summarizes the implications of the international framework for anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) for financial service providers working with low-income people.

Protecting Microfinance Borrowers

Around the world, the microfinance community is paying more attention to consumer protection. Controversial topics, such as high interest rates and the overindebtedness of borrowers, have raised public concern for poor consumers in countries far and wide, from Bolivia to Bangladesh to South Africa and beyond. Yet relatively little is known about how consumer protection might apply to financial services for the poor.

The Role of Governments in Microfinance

Understanding the limited but constructive role governments can play in building financial systems is key to ensuring poor people's permanent access to quality financial services. This Donor Brief explains how experienced donors can support governments to develop sound policy frameworks and encourage vibrant and competitive microfinance, rather than directly providing financial services.