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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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
Karandaaz unveils GreenFin Innovations, offering concessional finance for enabling green economy & combatting climate change
Financial Inclusion
Sustainable Finance
Digital Transformation
Karandaaz Pakistan, a development finance platform at the forefront of promoting financial inclusion and driving digital transformation across the country, announced the launch of GreenFin Innovations (GFI), a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to scaling innovative and sustainable solutions aimed at promoting a green economy and addressing the...
TRAY Signs Partnership Agreement with Alraedah Digital Solutions for MENA Region Expansion
Digital Financial Services
Fintech
Payments
Bespoke tech solutions providers team up to empower digital transactions of small- and medium-sized business enterprises across MENA with cloud-based software Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, September 5th, 2023 – TRAY, a global leader in cloud-native enterprise-class POS systems, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Alraedah Digital Solutions...