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Yemen Microfinance Network (YMN), Yemen's microfinance institutions association, an NGO co-funded by UNDP and SFD, joins the SME Finance Forum
Financial Education
Financial Inclusion
Washington D.C, March 7, 2025 – Yemen Microfinance Network (YMN) , Yemen's microfinance institutions association, an NGO co-funded by UNDP and SFD has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal...
Fauree, UAE’s Leading Supply Chain Finance & Working Capital Solutions Provider, Joins SME Finance Forum
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Washington D.C, March 12, 2025 – Fauree , UAE’s leading provider of supply chain finance and working capital solutions, has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of expanding access to...
Convergence Blended Finance, the Global Blended Finance Network Driving Private Investment in Developing Countries, joins the SME Finance Forum.
Equity
Data Analytics
Washington D.C, March 26, 2025 – Convergence Blended Finance , the global blended finance network driving private investment in developing countries, has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest affiliate. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the...
Vayana, India's largest Supply Chain Finance Network, joins the SME Finance Forum
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Washington D.C, April 7, 2025 – Vayana , India's largest Supply Chain Finance Network has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide...
C2FO: Connecting SMEs with Equitable Access to Working Capital
Supply & Value Chain Finance
IFC and C2FO are working under a strategic partnership to bolster job growth and economic prosperity in emerging markets and developing economies. The first initiative will work to enhance financing for local enterprises in Africa by developing a specialized, web-based multinational working capital platform for micro, small, and medium enterprises...
FaturamPara, Turkey's first company with both RegTech and FinTech features, has joined the SME Finance Forum
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Washington D.C, April 3, 2025 – FaturamPara , Turkey's first company with both RegTech and FinTech features has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to...
OECD Financing SMEs and Entrepreneurs Scoreboard: 2025 Highlights
Policy & Regulation
The OECD Financing SMEs and Entrepreneurs Scoreboard: 2025 Highlights tracks financing trends, conditions and policy developments across nearly 50 countries. The paper provides official data on SME financing from 2007 to 2023, with additional insights for 2024 and early 2025, covering debt, equity, asset-based finance and overall financing...
ADAPTA, US Tech Firm Expanding AI-Driven Risk Management in Global Agriculture, has joined the SME Finance Forum
Data & Cybersecurity
Washington D.C, April 2, 2025 – ADAPTA , US Tech Firm Expanding AI-Driven Risk Management in Global Agriculture has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to...
Viet Nam: Creating Pre-Conditions for a Nonperforming Loan Market
Credit Risk & Scoring
Since 2020, #VietNam has experienced a surge in nonperforming loans (NPLs). Not only does the growing number of NPLs reduce the stability of the banking system, but each one represents a borrower excluded from credit markets. Many of the NPLs are consumer debts, meaning poorer households are particularly hard hit. IFC - International Finance...
Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF), which enhances market transparency and combats financial crime through the implementation and use of the Legal Entity Identifier (LEI), joins the SME Finance Forum
Data Analytics
Washington D.C, March 26, 2025 – The Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) , which enhances market transparency and combats financial crime through the implementation and use of the Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest affiliate. The 300+ members/affiliates of the...
First Finance, a leading SME financial services provider in Iraq, adheres to the best international practices to support and empower small and medium-sized enterprises, joins the SME Finance Forum
Financial Inclusion
Washington D.C, March 24, 2025 – First Finance , a leading SME financial services provider in Iraq which adheres to international best practices to support and empower small and medium-sized enterprises has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum operate in 190...
Ghana: Updating the collateral registry system to increase access to finance for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.
MSMEs employ more than 80% of the workforce in #Ghana and account for over 70% of GDP. The majority of these enterprises are informal, consisting mainly of micro and sole enterprises operated by women and young entrepreneurs. While these small businesses play a critical role in economic growth and job creation, lack of information and collateral...
First Gender Bond in West Africa: Ecobank Cote d'Ivoire
Gender Finance
Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, March 11, 2025 – To boost access to finance for women-led SMEs in Côte d’Ivoire, IFC and the Africa Local Currency Bond Fund (ALCB Fund) today announced an anchor investment in a gender bond from Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire, the first gender bond to be issued in the West Africa Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). Proceeds from...
Beltone SMEs, a subsidiary of Beltone Holding, joins the SME Finance Forum
Financial Inclusion
Washington D.C, Feb 27, 2025 – Beltone SMEs , a subsidiary of Beltone Holding - has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide...
Cenfri, a not-for-profit development consultancy and think tank that enhances the contribution of the financial sector and digital transformation to sustainable economic development, joins the SME Finance Forum
Washington D.C, Jan 10, 2025 – Cenfri , a global think-tank and not-for-profit enterprise with offices in South Africa and Rwanda has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest affiliate. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of expanding...
Banco de Crédito del Perú, the largest bank and the largest supplier of integrated financial services in Perú, joins the SME Finance Forum
Washington D.C, Feb 17th, 2025 – Banco de Crédito del Perú , the largest bank and the largest supplier of integrated financial services in Perú has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of...
CGAP Impact Pathways Platform
Financial Inclusion
About the Impact Pathfinder Welcome to the Impact Pathfinder, an evidence platform designed to shed light on the impact of financial inclusion on development. By leveraging existing research, this platform outlines pathways that show how financial services and products can contribute to key development outcomes, such as building resilience,...
Innovative Financing for Inclusive Credit Fintechs in Africa
Equity
Highlights • Inclusive credit fintech has the potential to address the estimated US$4.9 trillion global credit gap for micro and small enterprises (MSEs). • However, access to diverse and suitable funding sources remains a critical challenge, especially for early-stage fintechs that are not yet profitable. • This focus note explores financing...
How and why we finance SMEs
Digital Financial Services
BII sees opportunities for impact in firms of all sizes. Sole-traders, microenterprises, small, medium, and large firms are all sometimes unable to find the financing they need, to the detriment of society. The growth of firms is at the heart of development. Countries escape poverty as people move out of informal employment into wage-paying jobs...
Enhancing Long Term Finance for SMEs in Europe - COLLECTIVE INTELLIGENCE FROM OUR EXPERT GROUP
Alternative Financing
Guarantees
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY KEY ACTIONS AGREED BY THE EXPERT GROUP: shorted by importance and short term feasibility: Banking channel PUBLIC-PRIVATE SHARED INVESTMENT MODELS: Building on the success of initiatives like “France Relance,” this action advocates for collaborative investment strategies that engage both public and private sectors in financing...
G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion: Action Plan for MSME Financing
Policy & Regulation
Summary The G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI) Action Plan for Micro, Small, and Medium enterprises (MSME) Financing is a call to action to intensify the efforts of G20 and willing non-G20 countries to close the financing gap for MSMEs. MSMEs represent a significant share of economic activity and capture a large share of...
The ASEAN Access to Digital Finance Study
Digital Financial Services
Tania Ziegler (CCAF), Krishnamurthy Suresh (CCAF), Zhifu Xie (CCAF), Felipe Ferri de Camargo Paes (CCAF), Peter J Morgan (ADBI), Bryan Zhang (CCAF). This first edition of ‘The ASEAN Access to Digital Finance Study’, aims to provide valuable data and insights into how individual households, consumers, and micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME)...
The SME Access to Digital Finance Study: A Deep Dive into the Latin American Fintech Ecosystem
Digital Financial Services
Tania Ziegler (CCAF), Felipe Ferri de Camargo Paes (CCAF), Cecilia López Closs (CCAF), Erika Soki (CCAF), Diego Herrera (IDB), Jaime Sarmiento (IDB) This edition of ‘The SME Access to Finance: A Deep Dive into LATAM’s Fintech Ecosystem’ provides insights into micro, small and medium enterprises’ (MSMEs’) access to funding through the alternative...
MSME Access to Digital Finance Study: in Selected EMDE Countries in Asia
Digital Financial Services
By Krishnamurthy Suresh (Principal Researcher, CCAF), Felipe Ferri de Camargo Paes (Principal Researcher, CCAF), Loh Xiang Ru (CCAF), Richard Kithuka (CCAF), Peter Morgan (ADBI), Pavle Avramovic (CCAF), and Bryan Zhang (CCAF). This is the second edition of our ‘Access to Digital Finance’ study in Asia-Pacific. Building on our previous publication...
Visa Case Study w/Uplinq - "Transforming global small business underwriting with augmented data"
Data Analytics
Uplinq is thrilled to unveil our latest collaboration with Visa . Together, we’ve released a groundbreaking case study titled "Transforming global small business underwriting with augmented data" —a deep dive into how AI-powered credit decisioning is reshaping small business lending worldwide. Leveraging sophisticated AI and machine learning...
Digital Finance Developments: International AI Policy Focuses on Safety
Data & Cybersecurity
Fintech
"International AI Policy Focuses on Safety" discusses the increasing global emphasis on ensuring the safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI). Key points and main ideas include: International Collaboration on AI Safety: Governments and international organizations are recognizing the need for harmonized approaches to AI safety,...
Key Considerations for Open Finance
Digital Transformation
November 2024 Highlights Open finance is a financial innovation that facilitates customer-permissioned access to and use of customer data held by financial institutions to provide new and enhanced services and develop innovative business models. Open finance frameworks can spur innovation, improve competition, enhance customer empowerment, and...
From challenges to opportunities: The journey of persistence, resilience, and growth
Sustainable Finance
The Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector in Pakistan plays a pivotal role in the national economy, contributing approximately 40% to GDP and providing employment to millions. Despite its significance, the sector faces numerous challenges that hinder its growth and development. Key barriers include limited access to finance, complex...
Registrations for the 10th GABV Leadership Academy now open - Deepen Your Leadership Impact
Financial Education
10 Years of Leadership Excellence - Registration Now Open for the 2025 GABV Leadership Academy Dear GABV members, We are excited to announce the 10th edition of the GABV Leadership Academy —a milestone in shaping resilient leaders in values-based banking! Registrations are now open until 5 December 2024. This year’s programme, ' Resilience in the...
2024 Financial Access Survey (FAS) Annual Report – 15th Anniversary Edition
Digital Financial Services
IMF Releases the 2024 Financial Access Survey Results October 30, 2024 Washington, DC: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) released the results of the 2024 Financial Access Survey (FAS), marking the 15th anniversary of the FAS. The report “FAS: 2024 Highlights,” published along with the data release, summarizes the key trends on access to and...
Nepal Bankers’ Association, an Umbrella Organisation of all 'A' Class Commercial Banks of Nepal, joins the SME Finance Forum
Governance
Washington D.C, Nov 11, 2024 – Nepal Bankers’ Association , an Umbrella Organisation of all 'A' Class Commercial Banks of Nepal has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest affiliate. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of expanding...
Banking for SMEs: The voice of the makers
Digital Transformation
Fintech
A follow-up series of Banking for small and medium enterprises by IBM Institute for Business Value Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) form the backbone of the global economy, representing 90% of all firms, employing approximately 70% of the world’s workforce, and contributing 50% to global GDP.* Despite their significance, SMEs face many...
10x1000 Tech for Inclusion, an open and global learning platform, joins the SME Finance Forum
Financial Inclusion
Washington D.C, Nov 1, 2024 – 10x1000 Tech for Inclusion , an open and global learning platform has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest affiliate. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small...
Middle market businesses are a growth engine for the global economy
Digital Transformation
The white paper by Mastercard underscores the pivotal role of middle market businesses (firms with 50 to 250 employees) in driving global economic growth, with a notable $24.2 trillion in B2B spending in 2022. These businesses face unique challenges as they scale, such as the need for digitization, automation, and streamlined operations, along...
Unlocking the Decarbonization of SMEs: How Public Development Banks Are Supporting SMEs And Measuring The Success of Their Solutions
Sustainable Finance
As the world faces the urgent challenge of climate change, financial institutions, especially Public Development Banks (PDBs), are crucial in helping Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) transitioning to a low-carbon economy. This publication reviews the different solutions offered by 16 Public Development Banks (PDBs) to support the...
Inclusive Fintech: How Startups are Bridging the Finance Gap for Microenterprises
Fintech
October 2024 Highlights: Inclusive fintech startups are early-stage, venture-backed enterprises creating innovative credit products for microenterprises in emerging markets, which holds great promise for the future of microenterprise finance. In this note, we highlight strategies employed by fintech startups that benefit microenterprises via three...
Financier of the Year: Worlds’ biggest financial leaders applaud C2FO for job-creating capital access
Fintech
By: Tommy Felts - October 04, 2024 Sandy Kemper, founder and CEO of C2FO, speaks during a panel conversation at the 2024 SME Finance Forum in São Paulo, Brazil; photo courtesy of C2FO C2FO would’ve been profitable in the US alone, CEO says; how solving for global needs made it an even stronger fintech leader T he impact of one Kansas City-built...
Business Ready (B-READY) 2024
Trade Finance
Policy & Regulation
Business Ready (B-READY) 2024 report assesses the regulatory framework and public services directed at firms, and the efficiency with which regulatory framework and public services are combined in practice.
The World Bank Group and Partners Launch Sustainable Finance Knowledge Center for Francophone Africa
Sustainable Finance
Washington, D.C., October 1, 2024 - The World Bank Group and partners have launched the “ Sustainable Finance Knowledge Center for Francophone Africa ” today. A first preview of the center was presented two weeks ago at the annual Global Meeting of the SME Finance Forum in Brazil. This virtual platform, available in both English and French, is...
Cooler Finance
Sustainable Finance
Mobilizing Investment for the Developing World's Sustainable Cooling Needs Rising global temperatures mean demand for cooling in homes, workplaces, and across supply chains is accelerating, particularly in developing economies where the impact of extreme heat is already being felt most acutely. Heat-related deaths are running at an annual average...
AI in Finance: Bridging the Inclusion Gap
Financial Inclusion
Fintech
June 5, 2024 | Washington DC EMpact is helping build AI Labs within our partner organizations as a part of our effort to accelerate digital transformation of agricultural value chains and relevant financial services. Today, EMpact published a new white paper that delves into the pivotal role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in propelling financial...
Banking for small and medium enterprises
Data Analytics
Fintech
Small and medium enterprises face many challenges within a rapidly evolving economic landscape—one that demands innovative banking solutions. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) form the backbone of the global economy, representing 90% of all firms, employing approximately 70% of the world's workforce, and contributing 50% to global GDP. But...
KoreFusion Consulting, a boutique strategy consulting and investment bank focused on SME payments and financing in North America and Western Europe, joins the SME Finance Forum
Non Financial Services
Equity
Washington D.C, September 30th, 2024 – KoreFusion Consulting , a boutique strategy consulting and investment bank focused on SME payments and financing in North America and Western Europe has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating...
IBM Study: Global Banking Industry’s Focus on Risk Mitigation, Regulatory Obligations and Cost Containment May Hinder the Potential of Small to Medium-Sized Companies to Grow
Financial Inclusion
Digital Transformation
Divergent views among business leaders and bankers on priorities uncover a white space for nimble financial institutions to compete in this varied market segment. ARMONK, N.Y., September 18th, 2024 – New findings from IBM’s (NYSE: IBM) Institute for Business Value and the Banking Industry Architecture Network (BIAN), with contributions from the...
InvoSoko Africa, a leading SMEs focused Supply Chain Finance solutions provider in Sub-saharan Africa, joins the SME Finance Forum
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Washington D.C, Aug 30, 2024 – InvoSoko Africa, a leading SMEs focused Supply Chain Finance solutions provider in Sub-saharan Africa has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of expanding...
Global SME Finance Forum 2024 - VIDEO TEASER
Digital Financial Services
Digital Transformation
The Global SME Finance Forum is the largest, most geographically diverse and cutting-edge gathering on SME finance, which brings together experienced global leaders to facilitate the exchange of insights, promote best practices, and chart the future trajectory. Since 2015, its forward-thinking agenda, tackling topics such as sustainable finance...
Handbook - Supply Chain Finance Knowledge Guide
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Supply Chain Financing (SCF) is becoming an increasingly common vertical within the banking industry. The global credit crisis of 2008 forced trade finance seekers to look for alternatives as liquidity in supply chains became a major concern for businesses. This spurred an increased demand for supply chain financing as businesses worked to...
Participate in the 360tf SMEs Trade Finance Survey 2024 Edition
Trade Finance
We are glad to announce the launch of the " 360tf SMEs Trade Finance Survey 2024 Edition ," in partnership with Middlesex University Dubai . This survey is a unique opportunity for the SME community to voice their opinions and shape the future of SME trade finance in the UAE . The survey aims to gather feedback and insights that will drive...
Jocata, a leading global digital lending transformation partner, joins SME Finance Forum
Data Analytics
Digital Financial Services
Washington D.C, July 18, 2024 – Jocata, a leading digital lending transformation partner has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses...
WeGro, a leading agri-fintech in Bangladesh, joins the SME Finance Forum
Rural & Agriculture Finance
Washington D.C, July 15, 2024 – WeGro , a leading agri-fintech in Bangladesh has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through...
State of AI in Financial Services: 2024 Trends
Data & Cybersecurity
Digital Financial Services
AI Takes Center Stage: Survey Reveals Financial Industry’s Top Trends for 2024 The world’s leading financial services institutions spotlight where AI is providing the best return on investment. January 11, 2024 by Kevin Levitt The financial services industry is undergoing a significant transformation with the adoption of AI technologies. NVIDIA’s...
Bank of Kigali, the largest bank in Rwanda by total assets, joins the SME Finance Forum
Rural & Agriculture Finance
Washington D.C, July 11, 2024 – Bank of Kigali , the largest bank in Rwanda by total assets has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses...
A microscope on small businesses: The productivity opportunity by country
The recent McKinsey Global Institute report A microscope on small businesses: Spotting opportunities to boost productivity estimated that micro-, small, and medium-size enterprises (MSMEs) account for two-thirds of business employment in advanced economies— and almost four-fifths in emerging economies—as well as half of all value added.1 In this...
Receivables Exchange of India Limited (RXIL), a leading MSMEs focused digital platform in India, joins the SME Finance Forum
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Washington D.C, July 9th, 2024 – Receivables Exchange of India Limited (RXIL) , a leading MSMEs focused digital platform in India has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of expanding...
MSME Day 2024: Leveraging Power and Resilience of Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises to Accelerate SDGs and Eradicate Poverty in Times of Multiple Crises
Financial Inclusion
Sustainable Finance
The 2024 MSME Day offers an opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas on how Key stakeholders, including policy makers, large companies, financial institutions, and the international community can support micro-, small and medium-sized businesses to advance the 2030 Agenda and contribute to achieving the SDGs, including poverty eradication and...
Akbank, a Turkish bank founded in 1948, joins the SME Finance Forum
Washington D.C, June 13, 2024 – Akbank , a Turkish bank founded in 1948 has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through...
ICICI Bank, one of the leading private sector banks in India, joins the SME Finance Forum
Washington D.C, June 4, 2024 – ICICI Bank , one of the leading private sector banks in India, has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses...
Kapitale a leading digital platform for SMEs in Brazil joins the Forum
Fintech
Washington D.C, May 27, 2024 – Kapitale , one of the most innovative fintechs in receivables anticipation in Brazil, has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. Created by the G20 in 2012 and managed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the SME Finance Forum has more than 300 members/affiliates who...
AgriAnalytica, a leading digital platform for MSMEs in Ukraine, joins the SME Finance Forum
Alternative Financing
Digital Financial Services
Washington D.C, May 23, 2024 – AgriAnalytica , a leading digital platform for MSMEs in Ukraine has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses...
Leader Dialogue Series - Interview with Sucharita Mukherjee - Co-founder & CEO - Kaleidofin
Financial Inclusion
Digital Financial Services
Digital Transformation
Learn from Sucharita Mukherjee - Co-founder & CEO at Kaleidofin, about her of experience in attending the Global SME Finance Forum and the importance of digitization in the Indian market for financing SMEs, the role of digital platforms in serving underserved markets, and the potential for structured, systematic south-to-south learning and...
Leader Dialogue Series - Interview with Sandeep Varma – CEO - CGTMSE
Guarantees
Digital Financial Services
Learn from Sandeep Varma, CEO at CGTMSE, about his experience attending the Global SME Finance Forum and the role of credit guarantee schemes in helping MSMES access to finance. He also discusses the potential of technology to improve the efficiency and reach of credit guarantee schemes. This interview was led by Hans Koning, Global Chief Industry...
Leader Dialogue Series - Interview with Peter Simon - Managing Director - WSBI-ESBG
Digital Financial Services
Digital Transformation
Learn from Peter Simon, Managing Director at WSBI-ESBG, about his experience attending the Global SME Finance Forum and how WSBI helps its member banks to adapt and improve their digital services. This interview was led by Hans Koning, Global Chief Industry Specialist, Digital Finance at IFC. " Very impressive to see so many different actors f rom...
Leader Dialogue Series - Interview with Prashant Muddu - Founder and CEO - Jocata
Financial Inclusion
Credit Risk & Scoring
Fintech
Learn from Prashant Muddu - Founder and CEO at Jocata, about his experience attending the Global SME Finance Forum, the importance of digital public infrastructure, the challenges and opportunities in adopting AI, and the need for financial literacy and technology adoption across different geographies. This interview was led by Hans Koning, Global...
Leader Dialogue Series - Interview with Rajeev Chalisgaonkar - Executive Vice President - Mashreq Bank
Digital Financial Services
Learn from Rajeev Chalisgaonkar - Executive Vice President at Mashreq Bank, about his multiple years of experience attending the Global SME Finance Forum and the importance of digital stacks for SME financing, fintech pitches, and the evolution of ideas into successful businesses. This interview was led by Hans Koning, Global Chief Industry...
Amret, a leading microfinance institution and one of the top 10 financial institutions in Cambodia, joins the SME Finance Forum
Rural & Agriculture Finance
Washington D.C, May 20, 2024 – Amret Microfinance Institution , a Cambodia leading microfinance institution and one of the top 10 financial institutions in the country has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who...
Caja Huancayo Joins SME Finance Forum: Enhancing Financial Services for SMEs in Peru
Washington D.C, May 15, 2024 – Caja Huancayo , a leading financial institution in Peru has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses...
Bank of Punjab, a leading SME focused bank from Pakistan, joins the SME Finance Forum  
Washington D.C, May 14, 2024 – Bank of Punjab , a leading SME focused bank from Pakistan has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses...
Global SME Finance Awards 2024 -  INFORMATION SESSIONS
Digital Transformation
Global SME Finance Awards 2024 - INFORMATION SESSIONS The SME Finance Forum organizes the Global SME Finance Awards ( The Awards ) as a core part of its mission to create a unique platform for peer connections, knowledge dissemination, and innovations in SME Finance. The Forum’s extensive 240+ global network, crowds in financial institutions,...
Finternet: the financial system for the future
Data & Cybersecurity
Payments
Summary Focus Advances in digital technology have transformed people's lives in recent decades. But large swathes of the financial system are stuck in the past. Many transactions still take days to complete and rely on time-consuming clearing, messaging and settlement systems and physical paper trails. Improving the functioning of the financial...
A microscope on small businesses
Financial Inclusion
By Anu Madgavkar , Marco Piccitto , Olivia White , María Jesús Ramírez , Jan Mischke , and Kanmani Chockalingam MSMEs are vital for growth and jobs, but struggle with productivity. The route to higher productivity lies in creating a win-win economic fabric for all companies. At a glance Micro-, small, and medium-size enterprises (MSMEs) form the...
Boost Capital, a leading Singaporean fintech, joins the SME Finance Forum  
Digital Transformation
Washington D.C, April 18th, 2024 – Singapore-based fintech Boost Capital has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. The 240+ members of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge...
DigiAlly, a leading Singaporean fintech, joins the SME Finance Forum 
Washington D.C, April 18, 2024 - Singapore-based fintech Digi Ally has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. The 240+ members of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange...
Embedded finance: The voice of the makers
Digital Financial Services
Financial makers discuss how to reimagine banking with embedded finance solutions that deliver financial services whenever and wherever they’re needed. A new generation of financial thinkers and makers is reimagining the conventional bank. Empowered by technology and a youthful hunger for change, they’re determined to make banking easier, more...
2024 Global Outlook for Banking and Financial Markets
Governance
Data & Cybersecurity
The game-changer: How generative AI can transform the banking and financial sectors The most essential question of the moment: how can AI help address and course-correct banks’ productivity and financial performance? Following the astonishing rise of generative AI, artificial intelligence has seized the world’s attention. Executives are either...
White Paper on Universal Trusted Credentials (UTC)
Digital Transformation
Access to affordable finance poses a persistent challenge for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) worldwide, inhibiting their potential growth and the economic development of countries that are reliant on these businesses. The rise of the digital economy has opened up new pathways for financing, but has also made digital...
2023 Latam SME Fintech report
Fintech
Payments
Summary: - Regional focus: the report foretells a surge in interest from fintechs towards SMEs in Latin America by 2024. - Innovation opportunities: it highlights the potential for innovation within the industry and identifies key areas where solutions can reshape the fintech landscape to better serve SMEs. - Targeted countries: discover which...
How Universal Trusted Credentials (UTC) can transform financial inclusion
Financial Inclusion
In November 2023, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) moderated the closed-door roundtable "How Universal Trusted Credentials (UTC) can transform financial inclusion" . This event brought together senior representatives from central banks, financial institutions, and other stakeholders from around the world to discuss the opportunities...
Intesa Sanpaolo’s new digital bank – Isybank
Digital Financial Services
Fintech
The launch event for isybank, Intesa Sanpaolo's digital bank, was held on 15 June at the "Shard of Glass" tower in Milan. The bank is primarily intended to serve the four million Intesa Sanpaolo customers interested in using innovative services exclusively online and on their smartphones. isybank is among the most important initiatives in the 2022...
Intesa Sanpaolo’s acquisition of First Bank in Romania
Equity
Intesa Sanpaolo acquires Romania’s First Bank from US-based private investment fund J.C. Flowers & Co., strengthening its presence in the CEE region and doubling the Group’s presence in the country. More in detail , Intesa Sanpaolo and JCF Tiger Holdings S.A.R.L., the controlling shareholder of First Bank S.A., have signed a share purchase...
International launch of SIDBI's "De-risking lending for a Brisk EV Uptake: A practical guide on de-risking measures for Electric two- and three-wheelers in India"
Sustainable Finance
Under the guidance of Niti Aayog, government primer think thank, and RMI as a knowledge partner, Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has developed a book titled “De-risking lending for a Brisk EV Uptake: A practical guide on de-risking measures for Electric two- and three-wheelers in India" The report was released in Washington DC...