Library
Data Analytics
Apr 22, 2025
Digitalization accelerated by the pandemic has exponentially increased the number and variability of alternative data sources. The stay-at-home requirements during the pandemic forced several business models to be digitized. This helped spur the digitization that had been ongoing pre-pandemic, largely driven by governments as countries sought to...
Financial Education
Financial Inclusion
Apr 17, 2025
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...
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Apr 16, 2025
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...
Equity
Data Analytics
Apr 14, 2025
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...
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Apr 07, 2025
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...
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Apr 03, 2025
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...
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Apr 03, 2025
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...
Policy & Regulation
Apr 03, 2025
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...
Data & Cybersecurity
Apr 02, 2025
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...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Mar 28, 2025
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...
Data Analytics
Mar 26, 2025
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...
Financial Inclusion
Mar 24, 2025
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...
Mar 21, 2025
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...
Gender Finance
Mar 17, 2025
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...
Financial Inclusion
Feb 27, 2025
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...
Feb 23, 2025
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...
Feb 17, 2025
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...
Financial Inclusion
Feb 11, 2025
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,...
Equity
Feb 11, 2025
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...
Digital Financial Services
Feb 11, 2025
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...
Alternative Financing
Guarantees
Feb 05, 2025
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...
Policy & Regulation
Feb 03, 2025
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...
Digital Financial Services
Feb 02, 2025
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)...
Digital Financial Services
Feb 02, 2025
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...
Digital Financial Services
Feb 02, 2025
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...
Data Analytics
Jan 14, 2025
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...
Data & Cybersecurity
Fintech
Dec 15, 2024
"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,...
Digital Transformation
Nov 27, 2024
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...
Sustainable Finance
Nov 22, 2024
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...
Financial Education
Nov 19, 2024
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...
Digital Financial Services
Nov 14, 2024
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...
Governance
Nov 11, 2024
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...
Digital Transformation
Fintech
Nov 05, 2024
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...
Financial Inclusion
Nov 01, 2024
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...
Digital Transformation
Oct 29, 2024
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...
Sustainable Finance
Oct 20, 2024
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...
Fintech
Oct 20, 2024
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...
Fintech
Oct 08, 2024
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...
Trade Finance
Policy & Regulation
Oct 08, 2024
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.
Sustainable Finance
Oct 04, 2024
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...
Sustainable Finance
Oct 04, 2024
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...
Financial Inclusion
Fintech
Oct 04, 2024
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...
Data Analytics
Fintech
Oct 04, 2024
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...
Non Financial Services
Equity
Sep 30, 2024
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...
Financial Inclusion
Digital Transformation
Sep 26, 2024
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...
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Aug 30, 2024
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...
Digital Financial Services
Digital Transformation
Jul 29, 2024
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...
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Jul 25, 2024
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...
Trade Finance
Jul 18, 2024
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...
Data Analytics
Digital Financial Services
Jul 18, 2024
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...
Rural & Agriculture Finance
Jul 15, 2024
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...
Data & Cybersecurity
Digital Financial Services
Jul 15, 2024
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...
Rural & Agriculture Finance
Jul 11, 2024
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...
Jul 11, 2024
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...
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Jul 09, 2024
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...
Financial Inclusion
Sustainable Finance
Jun 16, 2024
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...
Jun 13, 2024
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...
Jun 04, 2024
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...
Fintech
May 27, 2024
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...
Alternative Financing
Digital Financial Services
May 23, 2024
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...
Financial Inclusion
Digital Financial Services
Digital Transformation
May 21, 2024
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...
Guarantees
Digital Financial Services
May 21, 2024
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...
Digital Financial Services
Digital Transformation
May 21, 2024
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...
Financial Inclusion
Credit Risk & Scoring
Fintech
May 21, 2024
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...
Digital Financial Services
May 21, 2024
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...
Rural & Agriculture Finance
May 20, 2024
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...
May 15, 2024
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...
May 14, 2024
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...
Digital Transformation
May 07, 2024
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,...
Data & Cybersecurity
Payments
May 07, 2024
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...
Financial Inclusion
May 07, 2024
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...
Digital Transformation
Apr 18, 2024
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...
Apr 18, 2024
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...
Digital Financial Services
Apr 15, 2024
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...
Governance
Data & Cybersecurity
Apr 15, 2024
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...
Digital Transformation
Apr 15, 2024
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...
Fintech
Payments
Apr 15, 2024
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...
Financial Inclusion
Apr 15, 2024
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...
Digital Financial Services
Fintech
Apr 15, 2024
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...
Equity
Apr 15, 2024
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...
Sustainable Finance
Apr 15, 2024
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...
Financial Inclusion
Sustainable Finance
Digital Transformation
Apr 15, 2024
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...
Digital Financial Services
Fintech
Payments
Apr 15, 2024
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...
Gender Finance
Fintech
Mar 21, 2024
Fintech and digital financial services have been considered a game-changer for women's financial inclusion and economic empowerment. Until now, there has been limited research that quantifies the degree to which fintech firms are actively addressing women's financial inclusion and the specific strategies that are showing success. To fill this gap...
Financial Education
Financial Inclusion
Alternative Financing
Gender Finance
Youth Entrepreneurship
Mar 08, 2024
The Forum established the Women’s Entrepreneurship Finance CoP (WEF CoP) Practice for groups of practitioners from member institutions to meet and share experiences, seek solutions to challenges that they face in financing women-SMEs. Since launching in 2022, the WEF CoP has evolved into a powerful example of how to empower women entrepreneurs...
Alternative Financing
Digital Transformation
Fintech
Feb 28, 2024
Johannesburg, 6 February 2024 – MTN’s Mobile Money Platform, MoMo, and banking technology company JUMO have partnered to launch Qwikloan, which offers affordable, short-term loans in South Africa and will drive financial inclusion across the country. Qwikloan enables MoMo users to obtain small, short-term loans on their mobile phones, ranging from...
Financial Education
Financial Inclusion
Fintech
Feb 14, 2024
This paper investigates strategies of European microfinance institutions (MFIs) and inclusive FinTech organisations to address financial and digital illiteracy among vulnerable customers. It reveals that both MFIs and FinTech organisations focus on personalised financial education, training and coaching but adopt distinct strategies in their...
Sustainable Finance
Fintech
Feb 12, 2024
Slowing economic growth, rising inflation, and climbing interest rates are straining the business models for inclusive fintechs, creating significant uncertainty and new funding challenges. For the past four years, the Inclusive Fintech 50 (IF50) global innovation competition identified and elevated cutting-edge, emerging inclusive fintechs...
Alternative Financing
Feb 02, 2024
Uplinq Financial Technologies , the first global credit decisioning support platform for small business lenders, announced the publication of “ Fair and Accessible Credit for Small Businesses: A Guidebook for Financial Institutions ,” a white paper that blueprints how banks and credit unions can leverage AI technology and alternative data to...
Financial Inclusion
Jan 31, 2024
Washington D.C, January 31, 2024 – Nigeria’s Zenith Bank 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 and...
Jan 31, 2024
The SME Finance Forum membership network consists of more than 240 member institutions active in 190 countries . The network is a unique community of SME-oriented commercial banks, non-bank financial institutions, fintech companies, and development finance institutions. UPCOMING EVENTS - Q1 and Q2 2024
Digital Transformation
Jan 23, 2024
With the rapid advancements in computational power, the decades-long vision of using and deploying artificial intelligence (AI) has become a reality. The technology’s swift development has allowed it to transform every walk of life, as it is a wide-ranging tool that enables people to rethink how to analyze data, integrate information and use the...
Financial Inclusion
Jan 18, 2024
Washington D.C, January 18, 2024 – AccèsBanque Madagascar 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 and...
Sustainable Finance
Digital Transformation
Dec 22, 2023
Learn from Michael Jongeneel, about ESG data aggregation practices within FMO and digitalization benefits for SMEs. Interview led by Hans Koning, Global Chief Industry Specialist, Digital Finance at IFC. ‘I have been in Mumbai for less than 24 hours, but I already had a couple of very interesting discussions and potential collaboration with Indian...
Digital Financial Services
Payments
Dec 22, 2023
Learn from Jane Prokop - EVP of Small and Medium Enterprises at Mastercard, about her experience attending the Global SME Finance Forum for the first time and the latest challenges of digitalization. This interview was led by Hans Koning, Global Chief Industry Specialist, Digital Finance at IFC. ‘It is my first time joining the SME Finance Forum...
Financial Inclusion
Dec 22, 2023
The Inclusive Finance India Report provides a comprehensive review of the progress of financial inclusion in the country, tracking performance, highlighting achievements, and flagging gaps and issues that need to be addressed at the levels of both policy and practice. It is a much-awaited annual reference document for policymakers, investors,...
Payments
Dec 21, 2023
Former SVP and Managing Director of Marqeta takes on new role at leading global issuer-processor to propel its growth journey across the globe 12 th Dec Paymentology , a leading global issuer-processor, today announces the appointment of its new CEO Jeff Parker, who will be succeeding the interim Co-CEOs Abe Smith and Angy Watson. Jeff is a leader...
Islamic Banking
Dec 18, 2023
In the latest episode of Couchonomics, Arjun was joined by Paul Melotto, Executive Board Member at Alraedah Finance . Paul has played a key part in Arjun’s journey to understand the Saudi ecosystem, especially regarding fintech and financial services. In the episode, Arjun and Paul discussed: The state of Non-Banked Financial Institutions in KSA...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Dec 13, 2023
Former CEO of TransUnion Europe – Satrajit Saha – brings his expertise to Creditinfo, planning to drive growth across its credit bureaus globally. London – 29 th November 2023: Creditinfo, a global service provider for credit information and risk management solutions, has today announced the appointment of Satrajit Saha as its Global Chief...
Financial Inclusion
Non Financial Services
Rural & Agriculture Finance
Dec 06, 2023
Washington D.C, December 6, 2023 – Leading agri-services company SE Holdings has joined the SME Finance Forum as its 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...
Non Financial Services
Equity
Dec 05, 2023
Learn from PVSLN, Murty, Chairman and Managing Director, North Eastern Development Finance Corporation (NEDFi), about their mission to champion the entrepreneurial spirit of the North Eastern Region of India, financing commercially viable industries and providing consultancy services. The interview is led by Hans Koning, Global Chief Industry...
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Dec 05, 2023
Learn from Sandy Kemper, Founder and Chairman of C2FO, about their on-demand working capital platform as he is answering questions from Hans Koning, Global Chief Industry Specialist, Digital Finance at IFC. 'The IFC has the goal of getting to a hundred billion USD funding by 2030 and we, at C2FO are trying to get to a trillion USD of funding by...
Sustainable Finance
Dec 01, 2023
Switching to greener technologies in construction and operation of buildings and materials, combined with more climate-friendly capital markets, could reduce the construction value chain’s carbon footprint 23 percent by 2035, while creating investment opportunities in emerging markets, according to a major report from the International Finance...
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Nov 28, 2023
FCI, an SME Finance Forum Industry Partner, held its 55th annual meeting in Marrakech, Morocco from October 29 to November 3 2023. More than 250 attendees joined to network and discuss current issues within the Factoring and Receivables Finance Industry. With over EUR 300 billion financed to SMEs as well as to larger corporates, the global...
Sustainable Finance
Policy & Regulation
Nov 22, 2023
Addressing the climate crisis requires the net zero transition of millions of SMEs globally. SMEs have a significant aggregate environmental footprint and need to adopt cleaner business models. As eco-entrepreneurs and eco-innovators, they also have a key role to play in devising innovative climate solutions. Access to finance is essential for SME...
Financial Education
Financial Inclusion
Nov 21, 2023
Washington D.C, November 21, 2023 – Ethiopia’s Dashen Bank 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 and...
Financial Inclusion
Rural & Agriculture Finance
Nov 14, 2023
Washington D.C, November 14, 2023 – Maldivian non-banking finance institution SDFC has joined the SME Finance Forum as its 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...
Financial Education
Financial Inclusion
Gender Finance
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Digital Transformation
Nov 02, 2023
Digitizing the MSME ecosystem through e-commerce, the gig economy, and digital MSME business services has an impact on the digital-transformation of small businesses. These digital advancements have reshaped the landscape for MSMEs and enabled new opportunities for growth and expansion. The rise of digitally enabled new solutions for MSMEs, such...
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Nov 01, 2023
With over EUR 300 billion financed to SMEs as well as to larger corporates, the global factoring and receivables finance Industry is is providing much needed liquidity to the heart of the economy to support economic growth, export and employment. How does the industry evolve and adapt to challenges such as fraud, changing regulations and ESG...
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Policy & Regulation
Nov 01, 2023
During FCI 55th Annual Meeting , Qamar Saleem, CEO of the SME Finance Forum, launched the ‘ Knowledge Guide on Factoring Regulation and Supervision ’. This guide complements UNIDROIT's model law and provides guidance on law reforms seeking to support receivables finance. It indicates options and recommendations to establish a cohesive regulatory...
Policy & Regulation
Nov 01, 2023
The Recommendation on SME financing was adopted by the OECD Council meeting at Ministerial level on 8 June 2023 on the proposal of the Committee on SMEs and Entrepreneurship (CSMEE). The Recommendation aims to support Adherents in their efforts to enhance SME access to a diverse range of financing instruments. It supports the development of...
Financial Inclusion
Governance
Oct 24, 2023
The "OECD Financing SMEs and Entrepreneurs Scoreboard: 2023 Highlights" document SME and entrepreneurship financing trends, conditions and policy developments. The report provides official data on SME financing in close to 50 countries, including indicators on debt, equity, asset-based finance and financing conditions. Data for 2021 are...
Sustainable Finance
Payments
Oct 16, 2023
The B20 , Business at OECD (BIAC) and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) released a joint paper, underlining the need to raise business productivity by effectively addressing the private sector’s working capital requirements. Released in the margins of the B20 India Summit, the three leading private sector organizations recommend to...
Policy & Regulation
Oct 12, 2023
New Delhi, September 15, 2023 – IFC Vice President for Industries, Mohamed Gouled, currently on a two-day official visit to India, has commended India's leadership at the G20 for its strong emphasis on the significance of digital public infrastructure (DPI) in achieving financial inclusion. "This formal recognition that technology must be used for...
Financial Inclusion
Digital Financial Services
Digital Transformation
Sep 25, 2023
Background: The India G20 Presidency has prioritized the development of an open, inclusive and responsible digital financial ecosystem based on the presence of a sound and effective digital public infrastructure (DPI) for the advancement of financial inclusion and productivity gains. Builds on the work and achievements from previous presidencies...
Financial Inclusion
Policy & Regulation
Data Analytics
Sep 25, 2023
Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in the global economy, yet they often face challenges due to limited access to financing. To address this issue, we propose the implementation of Prosperity Data Networks (PDNs), a cutting-edge tool that leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI). PDNs are AI-powered, community-controlled and...
Financial Education
Sustainable Finance
Sep 25, 2023
To help financial institutions to translate sustainable finance principles to the operations they have with MSMEs, IFC Green Bond Technical Assistance Program (GB-TAP) has developed the Sustainable MSME Finance Reference Guide. This first-of-its-kind Guide sets out a practical approach for financial institutions in emerging markets on how to...
Non Financial Services
Policy & Regulation
Digital Financial Services
Fintech
Sep 16, 2023
Day 3 of the Global SME Finance Forum 2023 saw panel discussions and keynote addresses by thought leaders like Shri Chanchal Chand Sarkar, Economic Adviser, DEA, Ministry of Finance, India, Shri T. Rabi Sankar, Deputy Governor, RBI, Shri Ajay Seth, Secretary, DEA, Ministry of Finance, India, Ashwini Kumar Tewari, Managing Director, SBI, Ms. Nisha...
Non Financial Services
Policy & Regulation
Digital Financial Services
Fintech
Sep 16, 2023
Mumbai, India, September 14, 2023 - The 2023 Global SME Finance Award winners were announced during the Global SME Finance Forum 2023 in Mumbai, India. Across all categories, a record 165 applications were submitted from 120 different institutions. 30 applications were identified by an independent, expert panel of 85 judges as winners. The award...
Non Financial Services
Policy & Regulation
Digital Financial Services
Fintech
Sep 16, 2023
Day 2 of the Global SME Finance Forum 2023 saw panel discussions and keynote addresses by thought leaders like A K Goel, Chairman, Indian Banks’ Association, KV Kamath, Chairman, NaBFID, Alok Kumar Choudhary, MD, SBI, Sopnendu Mohanty, Chief Fintech Officer, Monetary Authority of Singapore, Rajiv Anand, DMD, Axis Bank, Chanchal Sarkar, Economic...
Non Financial Services
Policy & Regulation
Digital Financial Services
Fintech
Sep 16, 2023
SME Finance Forum 2023 commence their 9th edition of the Global SME Finance Forum 2023 in Mumbai The Day 1 of the Global SME Finance Forum 2023 saw panel discussions and key note address by some of the renown names as speakers like Mr. Makhtar Diop, Managing Director, International Finance Corporation (recorded speech), Mr. Nandan Nilekani, Co-...
Financial Inclusion
Sep 04, 2023
Newly released financial survey from our member Karandazz! The report delves deep into financial service access and demand, with a special focus on digital financial services. To support financial inclusion in Pakistan, it is important to have clear definitions, metrics, and estimates for planning and intervention designs. Karandaaz notes that...
Financial Inclusion
Payments
Aug 28, 2023
The partnership will enable a more robust financial ecosystem in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, granting underserved and unbanked segments of the population access to the digital economy. Guatemala, August 2023 : Paymentology , the leading global issuer-processor, today announces an expanded partnership with Mastercard to bolster financial...
Fintech
Payments
Aug 16, 2023
Paymentology’s card issuing platform and analytics capabilities support DolarApp with several industry firsts in Mexico Paymentology , the leading global issuer-processor, today announces its partnership with DolarApp , the Mexican startup which provides digital dollar accounts to consumers across Latin America. Established in 2021, DolarApp has...
Financial Inclusion
Youth Entrepreneurship
Aug 14, 2023
Over 163 million informal workers in emerging markets have found new opportunities through #gigplatforms, but many remain financially excluded. That's why platforms are stepping up to offer financial services to #gigworkers, helping them save, invest, and access credit. The impact can be positive for the workers and the economy. If you're...
Aug 03, 2023
Washington D.C. August 1st, 2023 - Matt Gamser, having reached the mandatory retirement age for World Bank Group employees, will step down as the CEO of SME Finance Forum, effective September 30th, 2023. This will bring to a close Matt’s 18+ years of service to the IFC, including the creation of the SME Finance Forum. Under his leadership, the SME...
Equity
Gender Finance
Sustainable Finance
Aug 01, 2023
Washington D.C, August 1st, 2023 – Leading impact fund manager C4D Partners has joined the SME Finance Forum as its global membership network’s latest member. The members of the Forum are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and...
Financial Inclusion
Operational Risk
Jul 27, 2023
Washington D.C July 2023 – Consolidated Bank Ghana LTD (CBG) joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “Since 2016, we’ve...
Fintech
Jun 13, 2023
Our Industry Partner, CFTE, has just launched the Online Certificate for Fintech in Africa. This is a great opportunity for those who want to learn about Fintech in Africa. The Online Certificate for Fintech in Africa is a foundational programme in Fintech. Learners will go through the building blocks of the future of finance: Fintech, AI,...
Financial Education
Financial Inclusion
Non Financial Services
Jun 01, 2023
Washington D.C. June 1 st , 2023 - The SME Finance Forum is proud to announce its recent victory at the KNOWbel Awards, a World Bank Group program that recognizes teams and individuals who utilize knowledge to drive better business outcomes and foster a productive knowledge culture. This esteemed accolade underscores the power of collaboration and...
Financial Inclusion
Operational Risk
May 22, 2023
The EIF VC Survey and the EIF Private Equity Mid-Market Survey (the largest combined regular survey exercises among General Partners on a pan-European level) provide an opportunity to retrieve unique market insights. This publication is based on the results of the 2022 waves of these two surveys and examines how the Russian offensive war against...
Alternative Financing
Equity
Gender Finance
Guarantees
Islamic Banking
Rural & Agriculture Finance
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Sustainable Finance
Trade Finance
Youth Entrepreneurship
Credit Risk & Scoring
Digital Financial Services
Fintech
May 16, 2023
The “SME Finance Virtual Marketplace” is an online match-making platform that promotes partnership and collaboration between financial institutions, fintech companies and development finance institutions/ investors. The virtual Marketplace is powered by GlobalLinker, an AI powered ‘Digital Ecosystem’ offering SMEs a range of services to build...
May 11, 2023
3rd May 2023: Nairobi, Kenya: 4G Capital, the market-leading neobank powering micro and small business growth in Kenya and Uganda, has been ranked as one of Africa’s Fastest-Growing Companies by the Financial Times. The Financial Times compiled the ranking with data company Statista and based findings on compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in...
May 02, 2023
360ᵗᶠ Spreading Far and Wide: As a Knowledge Partner of FCI (Factoring Chain International), 360ᵗᶠ conducted a pan-India Export Finance Survey for Indian Corporates. the initial findings of this survey were presented at the FCI IFSCA GIFT-City conference and will be shared with Regulators and the Ministry of Commerce, India. Our engagement with...
Digital Financial Services
Apr 24, 2023
Strands, a CRIF company, and PwC launched a report with an in-depth analysis on how customer habits, Open Finance and new players entering the financial services arena are revolutionizing the Digital Banking context. The Digital Banking context is shifting, as new players are entering the financial services arena and threatening the position of...
Digital Transformation
Fintech
Apr 20, 2023
29 March, London: Paymentology , the leading global issuer-processor, has joined forces with Wio Bank PJSC , the region’s first platform bank, to power its innovative banking model with customer-centric card payment services. Wio Bank PJSC is leveraging Paymentology’s industry leading in-cloud card issuing platform and data analytics capabilities...
Financial Inclusion
Guarantees
Apr 19, 2023
Washington D.C April 2023 – Credit Guarantee Corporation of Papua New Guinea joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “...
Non Financial Services
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Apr 13, 2023
Washington D.C April 2023 – arara joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “Since 2016, we’ve been implementing our...
Fintech
Apr 12, 2023
Learn from Danang Kusama, VP Sales for Digital Partnership for Investree, about strategic partnerships with banks and fintech businesses. “In this space in Indonesia, there are a lot of stakeholders…we are helping them get more access to SMEs and MSMEs and help consolidate those portfolios.” The SME Finance Forum’s Leader Dialogues is a series of...
Digital Financial Services
Fintech
Payments
Apr 11, 2023
Washington D.C April 2023 – Paymentology joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “Since 2016, we’ve been implementing...
Financial Inclusion
Gender Finance
Sustainable Finance
Digital Financial Services
Apr 06, 2023
The Global SME Finance Awards 2023 recognize financial institutions and fintech companies for their outstanding achievements in delivering exceptional products and services to their SME clients. Endorsed by the GPFI, the Global SME Finance Awards provide an opportunity for institutions to showcase and share their good practices and knowledge and...
Financial Inclusion
Apr 04, 2023
Washington D.C April 2023 – Altus Financial Services joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “Since 2016, we’ve been...
Covid-19
Digital Transformation
Apr 04, 2023
Learn from Joyce Tee, Managing Director for DBS Group Holdings, about how COVID-19 has transformed the SME finance space. “COVID has actually redefined how SME has to do business…how do you pivot to digital and how do you stay sustainable, how do you continue to learn from all these new orders in the market? COVID has brought digitization to the...
Sustainable Finance
Mar 30, 2023
Small and medium sized businesses in the SME Climate Hub community are committed to taking authentic climate action. This includes reporting annually on greenhouse gas emissions - ensuring transparency and accountability throughout their journeys towards net zero. Thanks to its new reporting tool, businesses part of the SME Climate Hub will now be...
Financial Inclusion
Covid-19
Digital Transformation
Mar 29, 2023
Learn from Carrie Suen, Senior Advisor for ANT Group, as she talks about tourism sector growth and digitalization after the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore. “With tourism coming back, how do we tap into this momentum? A lot of SMEs suffered from the pandemic disruption…we are working with a lot of micro-SMEs like mom-and-pop shops to incentivize...
Financial Inclusion
Covid-19
Mar 29, 2023
Learn from Michael Schlein, President and CEO of Accion, about the struggle against poverty globally and the importance of digitalization in post-COVID-19 reconstruction. “In our lifetime we have seen poverty go down… over several decades. We’ve seen the greatest reduction of poverty ever in human history until today. Since the pandemic we’ve seen...
Financial Inclusion
Gender Finance
Rural & Agriculture Finance
Youth Entrepreneurship
Mar 28, 2023
Washington D.C March 2023 – MEDA joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “Since 2016, we’ve been implementing our...
Digital Transformation
Fintech
Mar 22, 2023
Washington D.C March 2023 – ShopUp joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “Since 2016, we’ve been implementing our...
Digital Transformation
Fintech
Mar 21, 2023
Matthew Gamser, CEO of the SME Finance Forum, participated in the “Financial Technology Development and Innovative Applications” panel at the 2023 APFF Asia-Pacific Financial Forum on 17 March 2023 in Beijing, China. “It was a great pleasure to speak on this panel at the APFF Asia-Pacific Financial Forum in Beijing,” Gamser said. “My panel, which...
Trade Finance
Data Analytics
Digital Financial Services
Fintech
Mar 21, 2023
Washington D.C March 2023 – CredAble joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “Since 2016, we’ve been implementing our...
Financial Inclusion
Policy & Regulation
Digital Financial Services
Fintech
Payments
Mar 13, 2023
The Roadmap for Enhancing Cross-border Payments is a priority initiative of the G20. Much has been accomplished during its first two years, including agreement on a set of outcome targets endorsed by the G20 in October 2021. The work in 2021 and 2022 has focused on establishing the foundational elements of the Roadmap and beginning to pivot from...
Financial Inclusion
Digital Financial Services
Payments
Mar 13, 2023
In a recent blog post, CGAP authors Joep Roest and Bongani Maponya wrote about the transformative power of open government-to-person (G2P) systems to connect G2P recipients with different Payment Service Providers (PSPs) in order to make the best choice, thereby incentivizing improved services from PSPs. The post was also a case study on how South...
Financial Inclusion
Mar 09, 2023
Washington D.C, March 9, 2023 – Standard Bank joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “Since 2016, we’ve been...
Financial Inclusion
Gender Finance
Digital Financial Services
Fintech
Mar 06, 2023
This paper examines the role of Fintech in financial inclusion. Using Global Findex data and emerging fintech indicators, it finds that Fintech has a higher positive correlation with digital financial inclusion than traditional measures of financial inclusion. In the second stage of their empirical investigation, the authors examine the key...
Sustainable Finance
Digital Financial Services
Mar 02, 2023
Fyndoo, the end-to-end SaaS Lending platform developed and owned by our member Topicus , has launched a new podcast called The Lending Bean – Powered by Fyndoo . Each episode, host Mike Cooper talks with experts about lending to inspire listeners to join Fyndoo in their mission to make lending effortless and accessible. In Episode 1 , Cooper talks...
Financial Inclusion
Mar 01, 2023
Washington D.C, March 1st, 2023 – Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “Since 2016,...
Financial Inclusion
Equity
Gender Finance
Policy & Regulation
Mar 01, 2023
This working paper examines the current academic literature on access to finance for female entrepreneurs and female-led enterprises. It covers two main financing markets: credit and venture capital (VC). The paper finds wide consensus in the academic field that gender-related credit and VC gaps exist in Europe. It also collects some of the most...
Alternative Financing
Credit Risk & Scoring
Fintech
Feb 28, 2023
Partnership Aimed at Expanding Access to Finance for Small and Medium Businesses Across the Globe WASHINGTON, D.C., and TORONTO, February 28, 2023 – Uplinq , the first global credit assessment and scoring platform for SMB lenders, today announced a partnership with the SME Finance Forum , a global network aimed at expanding finance to small and...
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Feb 22, 2023
Washington D.C February 22nd, 2023 – Air8 joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “Since 2016, we’ve been implementing...
Financial Inclusion
Rural & Agriculture Finance
Feb 16, 2023
Washington D.C, February 16, 2023 – One of the Philippines‘ leading banks, Security Bank Corporation joined the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge...
Financial Inclusion
Feb 15, 2023
The Karandaaz Financial Inclusion Survey (K-FIS) responds to the need identified by multiple stakeholders for timely demand-side data and practical insights into the state of financial inclusion in Pakistan, including traditional banking, mobile money, and the potential for their expanded use among the poor. The aim is to: Track access to and...
Financial Inclusion
Feb 13, 2023
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digital financial inclusion with increased digital financial services. According to the 2021 Global Findex Database, global account ownership has increased from 51% of the world’s population in 2011 to 76% in 2021. Notwithstanding the gains, about 25% are still outside the formal financial system. More robust...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Feb 08, 2023
Our member, Asante Financial Services Group, is driven by passion to see to the growth of the MSME sector in Africa. It is through strategic partnerships such as the one with SOLV Kenya, a member company of Standard Chartered Banking Group, that we are able to extend our reach to the Kenyan MSMEs In Sub-Saharan Africa, micro, small and medium...
Financial Inclusion
Jan 31, 2023
Learn from H.E. Achille Bassilekin III, Minister of SME, Social Economy, and Handicrafts, about SME development in Cameroon. “We have been developing some tours to ensure that we facilitate the financial inclusion of small businesses in my country. In that vein the Head of State decided the establishment of an SME bank...which is the financial...
Fintech
Jan 17, 2023
Nearly 500 million micro and small enterprises (MSEs) are estimated to be operating around the world. Access to credit and other financial services is critical to the growth and sustainability of these businesses, and consequentially to the low-income and vulnerable populations which rely on MSEs for their livelihoods. Yet despite decades of...
Dec 30, 2022
Dear Members, Partners, and Friends, Working together during 2022 has been a pleasure, and we're proud to have you all with us. 2022 was a turbulent year in global markets, and SMEs all over the world have been dealing with soaring inflation, disrupted supply chains and volatile foreign currency markets. And yet, we have been inspired by how our...
Gender Finance
Dec 28, 2022
Learn from H.E. Dr. Chea Serey, Director General of the National Bank of Cambodia, about women empowerment and women's access to finance in Cambodia. “We have been working on access to finance particularly for women and committed to reduce exclusion rates by half by 2024…we have come up with a national financial inclusion strategy involving all...
Rural & Agriculture Finance
Dec 26, 2022
Washington D.C., December 26th, 2022 – Koltiva joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “When we started in 2012, we...
Fintech
Dec 21, 2022
Learn from Aria Widyanto, Director & CRSO of Amartha, about Amartha’s shift toward fintech. “We innovate …and therefore we favored fintech in 2016, and since then we are building more digital products…during the pandemic in 2020 we were ready to serve and retain our customers because we have started our digital transformation processes.” The...
Non Financial Services
Dec 19, 2022
Sponsorship opportunities are still available for members who are interested in working more directly with the Forum and helping shape our Global Event. Sponsors can improve brand recognition, develop partnerships and demonstrate leadership via the growing outreach and networks of the Forum. SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Alternative Financing
Digital Financial Services
Dec 15, 2022
Digital lending or alternative lending is a catalyst to inclusive financial services for segments that are not a key target for traditional financial institutions. The use of AI-powered decisioning systems for evaluating individual credit eligibility by digital lending platforms has now become critical for micro, small and medium enterprises (...
Rural & Agriculture Finance
Fintech
Dec 14, 2022
Learn from Manfred Borer, CEO of Koltiva, about the integration of fintech in agribusiness during the COVID and post-COVID era. “Everyone talks about digitization...but I still see a future in a hybrid model. We have several hundred field agents across Indonesia...because our industry clients, agrobusiness, know they need boots on the ground for...
Financial Inclusion
Gender Finance
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Trade Finance
Dec 06, 2022
Washington D.C., December 7 th , 2022 – ACLEDA Bank joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “ When we started in 2012,...
Sustainable Finance
Dec 06, 2022
Learn from Ongki Dana, President Director & Commissioner of BTPN , about capacity building and the mindset-shift in SME Finance. “If our customers are SME and MSME...they will always need money from us...so we need to build their capacity to grow...it is crucial to both have the financial and the non-financial and going digital enables us to...
Nov 30, 2022
Learn from Robin Bairstow, Managing Director at I&M Bank about the future of SME Finance in Rwanda after the COVID pandemic. “One of the areas we have now been able to leverage on...is trade finance, and we've seen a lot of growth in that area...growth has been 50% year on year within the same SME sector...we've also added in loan origination...
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Fintech
Nov 21, 2022
Washington D.C., November 21 2022 – Progcap joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “When we started in 2012, we were...
Sustainable Finance
Nov 05, 2022
HEALRWORLD, a social impact, for profit ESG Fintech, unveils its new corporate debit card at CC Forum - an investment conference which is 100% dedicated to investment in sustainability. In collaboration with Mastercard and its Priceless Planet initiative, Railsr, Toqio, and Penrose Digital, the HealRWorld corporate debit card will be the first of...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Oct 26, 2022
Lending is one of the main elements of the modern financial system. In one way or another, most people rely on loans from banks – whether these are credits, mortgages, installments, credit cards to pay for critical goods and services. An important role in this process is played by credit bureaus that collect, store, process and transmit...
Sustainable Finance
Oct 20, 2022
LONDON, 4 October 2022 – JUMO, a technology company advancing next-generation financial inclusion in emerging markets, today released VELA, a pioneering asset management engine built to give investors access to real social impact investments at the highest standards of governance and control. VELA is a powerful asset management tool underpinned by...
Non Financial Services
Policy & Regulation
Oct 17, 2022
Washington D.C., October 17th, 2022 – The Small and Medium Business Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (KOBİA) joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses...
Sustainable Finance
Digital Transformation
Oct 05, 2022
What we heard on September 21 st …. We kicked off the second day of the Global SME Finance Forum 2022 with Ruth Horowitz - Regional Vice President for Asia and the Pacific, IFC and his Excellency Phan Phalla - Secretary of State for the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Cambodia. Both Ruth Horowitz and Secretary Phan Phalla spoke about the...
Trade Finance
Digital Financial Services
Oct 04, 2022
Washington D.C., September 2022 – 360tf joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “When we started in 2012, we were in an...
Sustainable Finance
Digital Transformation
Oct 04, 2022
What we heard on September 20 th …. Opening remarks were given by H.E. Chea Chanto – Governor, National Bank of Cambodia and Tomasz Telma – Director, Financial Institutions Group, IFC Chea Chanto laid out examples of how Cambodia is increasingly leveraging digitalisation to improve access to finance and Tomasz Telma talked about data driven...
Sustainable Finance
Digital Financial Services
Digital Transformation
Fintech
Sep 29, 2022
Washington DC, September 29 2022 - The future of delivering inclusive and effective banking support for the world’s small and medium sized enterprises will be driven by digital transformation, according to the lead organizers behind this year’s Global SME Finance Forum 2022 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. More than 350 leaders and senior executives from...
Sep 28, 2022
Washington DC, September 28, 2022 - The 2022 Global SME Finance Awards winners were announced during the Global SME Finance Forum 2022. To learn who the winners are, please visit https://www.smefinanceforum.org/awards-2022 Organized by IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and the SME Finance Forum and endorsed by the G20’s Global Partnership for...
Trade Finance
Sep 14, 2022
This podcast prepared by our industry partner Trade Finance Global, features Matt Gamser, CEO of the SME Finance Forum and Magda Bianco, co-chair of the Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI). It gives an overview of current G20 initiatives designed to help SMEs get easier access to finance. Among those initiatives is the Global SME...
Fintech
Sep 08, 2022
London, 06.09.2022: Funding Options , the leading marketplace for business finance, has launched Funding Cloud: Insights to bring unparalleled data to SME lenders with a breadth of market insight capable of driving new product innovation. The intuitive and user-friendly platform provides near real-time knowledge and intelligence that has scarcely...
Financial Education
Aug 13, 2022
The EIF Business Angels Survey, together with the EIF VC Survey and the EIF Private Equity Mid-Market Survey (the largest combined regular survey exercises among GPs and Business Angels on a pan-European level) provide an opportunity to retrieve unique market insights. This publication is based on the results of the 2021/22 EIF Business Angels...
Alternative Financing
Fintech
Aug 12, 2022
Washington D.C., August 4, 2022 – Credit Bureau Cambodia (CBC) joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “When we started...
Financial Inclusion
Jul 29, 2022
Washington D.C., July 28, 2022 – Awash Bank joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. Awash Bank becomes the first bank...
Financial Inclusion
Payments
Jul 25, 2022
In the coming years, real-time payments are set to increase exponentially and by 2026, are forecasted to account for 26% of the total electronic payments. With certain growth ahead, governing bodies and payment regulators play a crucial role in advancing their country's payment systems to create an ecosystem that unlocks economic growth and...
Alternative Financing
Digital Financial Services
Fintech
Jul 19, 2022
Washington D.C., July 19, 2022 – Mambu joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “Since 2016, we’ve been implementing our...
Non Financial Services
Fintech
Jul 13, 2022
Washington D.C., July 12, 2022 – SME Bank of Cambodia joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “When we started in 2012...
Gender Finance
Sustainable Finance
Credit Risk & Scoring
Digital Transformation
Jul 06, 2022
APPLY BEFORE 15 JULY Deadline extended to July 15th! We’ve extended the deadline of our 2022 Global SME Finance Awards. Share your leadership experience with the SME community and show how your institution can become a winner of the next Global SME Finance Forum Awards. Welcome to the fifth Annual Global SME Finance Awards! We invite all types of...
Non Financial Services
Jun 21, 2022
Sidian Bank provides a range of financial products and services that support the growth of micro, small and medium-sized businesses in Kenya. With this focus, the bank plays a crucial role in boosting entrepreneurship, creating jobs, and building a strong local economy. In 2021, Sidian Bank received a USD 10 million loan from Triodos Microfinance...
Non Financial Services
Fintech
Jun 16, 2022
Washington D.C., june 16, 2022 – The Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “When...
Policy & Regulation
Jun 08, 2022
Central banks of many emerging markets are overshooting their inflation goals, as prices of essential goods and services - from flour to cooking oil, energy, and gasoline – continue to rise. Supply chain disruptions due to COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine are all compounding inflationary pressures. It is increasingly feared that the 1970s will...
Digital Transformation
Fintech
Jun 07, 2022
Washington D.C. June, 7th 2022 – Asante Financial Services Group joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “When we...
Rural & Agriculture Finance
Sustainable Finance
May 31, 2022
Caravela, a green coffee firm focused only on responsible sourcing and marketing high-quality Latin American coffees, has received a USD 1.5 million value chain loan from Hivos-Triodos Fund. The financing would allow the company to pay about 600 smallholder coffee producers in Mexico and Peru when their harvest is delivered. Throughout the past 20...
Operational Risk
May 19, 2022
Triodos Microfinance Fund has made a USD 7 million loan to Mi Banco in El Salvador, a cooperative bank that provides payroll deduction loans to low and lower-middle-income government employees. Mi Banco is one of El Salvador's fastest-growing cooperative banks, serving over 10,000 borrowers and 25,000 depositors through a network of ten branches...
Islamic Banking
May 13, 2022
Washington D.C., May 13th – Ghazanfar Bank joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “When we started in 2012, we were in...
Rural & Agriculture Finance
May 11, 2022
JSC MFO Crystal (Crystal), Georgia's largest microfinance institution, has received a USD 5 million debt facility from Triodos Microfinance Fund and Triodos Fair Share Fund. The facility will support Crystal expand its outreach to micro and small firms and strengthen its liquidity position at a time when the region's macroeconomic instability is...
Islamic Banking
May 04, 2022
Washington D.C., May 4th, 2022 – Yanal Finance joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “When we started in 2012, we...
Alternative Financing
Apr 27, 2022
Washington D.C., April 27, 2022 – Wing Bank (Cambodia) Plc joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “When we started in...
Fintech
Apr 08, 2022
Washington D.C., April 8th 2022 – Yemen Loan Guarantee Program joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “When we started...
Fintech
Apr 06, 2022
Washington D.C., April 6, 2022 – Amartha joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “When we started in 2012, we were in...
Financial Inclusion
Apr 05, 2022
Washington D.C., April 5 2022 – The Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “When we...
Rural & Agriculture Finance
Mar 29, 2022
This report takes stock of the increasingly pluralistic landscape of agricultural small- and medium-sized enterprise (agri-SME) finance in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, with the aim to establish a new perspective on the market overall - sizing and segmenting the market in new ways, reflecting on the rapidly accelerating imperative around...
Sustainable Finance
Mar 28, 2022
Triodos Emerging Markets Renewable Energy Fund and Triodos Groenfonds have invested USD 5 million and USD 10 million respectively in the final close of India’s largest and first of its kind climate-focused impact fund, Green Growth Equity Fund, managed by EverSource Capital. Building green infrastructure in India Green Growth Equity Fund (GGEF)...
Rural & Agriculture Finance
Mar 25, 2022
Hivos-Triodos Fund has provided USD 1 million in senior debt to Apollo Agriculture, a Kenyan ag-tech company that uses machine learning and automated operations technology to help small-scale farmers maximise their profitability. Apollo Agriculture (Apollo) provides an optimised bundle for farmers that includes financing, farming inputs, advice,...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Mar 24, 2022
Latest Banking Circle white paper examines pain points faced by banks and FinTechs as a result of de-risking strategies According to new research commissioned by Payments Bank, Banking Circle, big bank de-risking is significantly hampering the efforts of many Financial Institutions to deliver services that empower financial inclusion. The root...
Sustainable Finance
Mar 22, 2022
Triodos Microfinance Fund and Triodos Fair Share Fund have provided a EUR 15 million subordinated debt facility to Ameriabank in Armenia to support the bank’s mission to increase its outreach to small-scale entrepreneurs and green initiatives. Artak Hanesyan, CEO of Ameriabank : “This facility further improves our capital position under the Basel...
Digital Financial Services
Mar 16, 2022
Wednesday 16 March 2022 – Nairobi, Kenya : 4G Capital, the award-winning African neobank, has completed its Series C funding round with Lightrock, the leading global private equity fund, investing $18.5 million dollars. Since its inception in 2013, 4G Capital has loaned over 1,750,000 small business working capital loans valued at over $230...
Digital Financial Services
Fintech
Mar 15, 2022
Triodos Microfinance Fund has provided the first USD 2 million loan of a USD 4 million facility to Aspiria, a digital platform in Mexico that serves businesses that aren’t bankable in the traditional financial system. Aspiria is truly a fintech with an automated credit process, combined with the human touch during the onboarding process and...
Non Financial Services
Mar 10, 2022
Funding Cloud: Connect enables accountants and advisors to manage and track finance offers for SME clients via a real-time fully integrated lending platform London, 10.02.2022: Business finance marketplace, Funding Options has launched Funding Cloud: Connect , an extension of its Funding CloudTM platform, expanding its offering for intermediaries...
Sustainable Finance
Mar 08, 2022
Triodos Emerging Markets Renewable Energy Fund and Triodos Groenfonds have provided a KGS 212 million (USD 2.5 million) loan to microcredit institution Bailyk Finance in Kyrgyzstan for the expansion of its green loan offering. Bailyk Finance provides affordable financial solutions to around 43,000 small businesses and households, predominantly in...
Financial Inclusion
Mar 03, 2022
Washington D.C., March 3rd 2022 – G5 Innonet joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “When we started in 2012, we were...
Financial Inclusion
Governance
Mar 02, 2022
The SME Finance Forum, which we run at IFC for the G20 countries is a global center for knowledge exchange, networking promotion and public-private dialogue. In just over 6 years we’ve also built a community of over 240 financial institutions, fintechs, development banks, tech firms and more, working in virtually every country in the world,...
Alternative Financing
Guarantees
Mar 01, 2022
Asset Finance is evolving rapidly, and many legacy systems are failing to keep up with the changing needs of providers and their customers. Read about: A comprehensive overhaul of contract management The connected contract management system (CMS) Better experiences, inside and out New standards of efficiency Download HPD Lendscape new white paper...
Sustainable Finance
Feb 24, 2022
First of its kind survey of businesses from UN-backed SME Climate Hub shows that small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) need additional resources and guidance to reduce carbon emissions. New survey reveals half of small businesses calculate emissions, and 60% have plans to reduce carbon impact. However, two-thirds of small business owners worried...
Digital Financial Services
Payments
Feb 23, 2022
What exactly is a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)? A CBDC is virtual money backed and issued by a central bank. As cryptocurrencies and stablecoins have become more popular, the world’s central banks have realized that they need to provide an alternative—or let the future of money pass them by. There are a lot of reasons to explore virtual...
Fintech
Payments
Feb 22, 2022
The evolution of digital money is taking hold, as policymakers and central bankers explore the idea of government-backed assets on blockchain called Central Bank Digital Currency, or CBDCs. More than 90 countries are either researching or developing CBDCs. Many see the direct advantages for their citizens and economies: decreased dependence on...
Sustainable Finance
Feb 15, 2022
Amsterdam, 9 February 2022 – The Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV), an international movement of frontrunner banks and leaders in sustainable and inclusive finance, asks the European Commission for a more ambitious and comprehensive approach to the development of a Social Taxonomy. The network wants the Commission to go further than...
Trade Finance
Feb 11, 2022
KYIV. Feb 10 (Interfax-Ukraine) - The portfolio of trade finance contracts of the state-owned Ukrgasbank (Kyiv) in 2021 expanded to UAH 23 billion, which is 35% more than last year (UAH 17 billion), the bank's press service reported on Wednesday. According to the report, the growth of the portfolio is due to the support of trade finance contracts...
Gender Finance
Feb 08, 2022
An African gender-lens equity fund proves that traditional investors are leaving money on the table, because investing in women brings superior performance. Chika Russell left her home in Nigeria for the United Kingdom at the age of six. But those early years of family cooking and traditional recipes inspired her career, because she fell in love...
Data Analytics
Feb 07, 2022
The global trend of loan availability at one's fingertips is gaining grounds in Bangladesh, this time with Prime Bank preparing to launch PrimeAgrim app, an AI-based instant digital nano loan platform. Customers whose salaries are of a specific range can avail up to 30 per cent of that as a loan within a few seconds through the app, which makes...
Sustainable Finance
Governance
Feb 01, 2022
Blue Finance is an emerging area in Climate Finance with increased interest from investors, financial institutions, and issuers globally. It offers tremendous opportunities and helps address pressing challenges by contributing to economic growth, improved livelihood, and the health of marine ecosystems. The ocean economy is expected to double to $...
Equity
Jan 31, 2022
Saudi Venture Capital Company (SVC) is a Government VC established in 2018 by Monshaat as part of the Financial Sector Development Program (FSDP) to stimulate venture investments by investing in funds as well as co-investing with angel groups for the primary goal of minimizing financing gaps for startups and SMEs by investing SAR 2.8 Billion ($750...
Fintech
Jan 28, 2022
Washington D.C., January 28th, 2022- Ontology joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “When we started in 2012, we were...
Financial Education
Non Financial Services
Jan 27, 2022
As the world works towards food system transformation, the role of various stakeholders serving small farmers and agri-SMEs has gained increasing importance. The market of business development services (BDS) for agri-SMEs has grown significantly in the last decade, with more organizations providing technical, financial, and capacity-building...
Financial Inclusion
Data Analytics
Payments
Jan 27, 2022
Biometrics technology can enhance the convenience and security of digital payments, and many observers have pointed to the potential benefits of using it to advance financial inclusion. This paper analyses how, and under what conditions, biometrics can facilitate financial and digital inclusion for lower income and unbanked populations and...
Alternative Financing
Covid-19
Jan 26, 2022
This publication "Receivables Finance: The Voice of the Industry", prepared by member HDP Lendscape , one of the world’s leading software providers for Asset Based Finance (ABF), dives into the following challenges and opportunities on the minds of industry leaders: Pandemic recovery New lending propositions and the rise of independents The...
Covid-19
Jan 24, 2022
The current crisis has put a spotlight on workout frameworks, especially out-of-court or hybrid procedures, which can provide flexible and cost-effective solutions to address firms’ liquidity and solvency issues while reducing the burden on courts. Some countries implemented reforms to their corporate workout frameworks in the wake of the COVID-19...
Financial Inclusion
Policy & Regulation
Digital Transformation
Jan 20, 2022
This reading deck describes three regulatory approaches used by policy-makers to regulate digital banks. It has a focus on harnessing the potential of digital banks to bring welcome competition and innovation to the banking sector and advance financial inclusion. It will help policy makers, especially in emerging markets and developing economies,...
Digital Transformation
Payments
Jan 19, 2022
A review of literature on digital payments’ impact on micro and small businesses reveals how digitalization is changing this segment, and why understanding this transition is key to inform effective public and private strategies and investments to accelerate the success of the small business sector as a whole. Read more about new strategies for...
Sustainable Finance
Jan 18, 2022
Learn from Petr Polach, Head of Corporate and Sustainable Finance of Raiffeisen Bank International AG about the importance of ESG and his journey to apply these principles across the institution. The SME Finance Forum’s Leader Dialogues, is a new series of one-on-one interviews with CEOs, senior executives of financial institutions and technology...
Rural & Agriculture Finance
Jan 18, 2022
Nairobi, Kenya (January 12, 2022) – 4G CAPITAL GROUP Limited (“4G CAPITAL”), a market leader in technology-driven financial inclusion in Kenya and Uganda, is honoured to receive a Real Leaders Impact Award yet again as we push on with our key role in bridging the finance gap to advance micro, small and medium businesses (MSMEs). Real Leaders is...
Financial Inclusion
Rural & Agriculture Finance
Jan 13, 2022
Washington D.C., January 13, 2021 - Buffalo Commercial Bank joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “40 percent of...
Financial Inclusion
Sustainable Finance
Dec 21, 2021
Washington D.C., December 21, 2021 - Karandaaz joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “When we started in 2012, we...
Fintech
Payments
Dec 20, 2021
London, 15th December 2021: Business finance marketplace Funding Options has joined forces with Wise to offer Wise Business, the business account for going global, in its marketplace to further expand its offering for SMEs as they recover from the pandemic. Wise, the global technology company building the best way to move and manage money across...
Sustainable Finance
Dec 17, 2021
The operation consists of a USD 35 million loan and a EURIZ portfolio guarantee of NGN 5 billion (EUR 10 million equivalent) to support First City Monument Bank Ltd (FCMB) strategy to serve high-impact SMEs and for climate finance. Proparco and FCMB have already had the opportunity to collaborate through two FMO-arranged operations in 2014 and...
Financial Inclusion
Gender Finance
Dec 16, 2021
Medical Credit Fund, the only debt fund fully dedicated to African small and medium-sized health enterprises (SMEs) in Africa, today announced the completion of a EUR 32.5 million fundraise. With the launch of its second fund more healthcare providers can access loans to grow their businesses, purchase medical equipment, improve quality, and...
Dec 16, 2021
Dear Members, Partners, and Friends, As 2021 draws to an end, let me take this opportunity to thank you for your continued engagement and supports. 2021 has undoubtedly been another challenging year for all of us, including the MSMEs which we are trying to serve. We are proud that so many of our members reported, in our surveys and check-in calls...
Trade Finance
Dec 15, 2021
Learn from Hani Salem Sonbol, CEO of the International Islamic Trade Corporation (ITFC) on building capacities for the future to strengthen the private sector, collaborating with partners to find synergies in order to meet the financing gap in their member countries. The SME Finance Forum’s Leader Dialogues, is a new series of one-on-one...
Digital Transformation
Fintech
Dec 13, 2021
The open competition will offer the opportunity to FinTech and RegTech innovators to showcase transformative solutions which are enhancing access, usage, and quality of formal financial services for low-income populations in developing countries and emerging markets. Finalists will be provided with a dedicated time slot during the second half of...
Non Financial Services
Covid-19
Dec 10, 2021
December 6th, 2021 - Successfully holding the Investree Conference (i-Con) for 2 (two) years with the main topics being the empowerment of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and economic recovery through collaboration in the digital financial ecosystem. This year, fintech lending pioneer Investree will again hold i-Con 2021 with “Revitalizing...
Non Financial Services
Digital Transformation
Fintech
Dec 09, 2021
Sameer Vakil (Co-Founder of GlobalLinker ) first met Syed Abdul Momen (DMD and Head of SME Banking at Brac Bank ), in Beijing at the 2016 SME Finance Forum Annual Event. That was the first time Sameer got the opportunity to introduce the GlobalLinker platform to Brac Bank. A more specific discussion followed in Amsterdam during the SMEFF Annual...
Fintech
Dec 08, 2021
Washington D.C., December 12 2021 - Yoda joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “The SME Finance Forum is a global...
Financial Education
Rural & Agriculture Finance
Dec 06, 2021
December 1, 2021 – Nairobi, Kenya: 4G CAPITAL GROUP Limited (“4G Capital”), a market leader in technology-driven financial inclusion for MSMEs across Kenya and Uganda, has partnered with the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (“CGAP”) on developing a new tool that identifies financial stress and helps protect low-income consumers against over-...
Sustainable Finance
Dec 01, 2021
Conference Proceedings of the 2021 Global SME Finance Forum Day 1 - October 18th Opening Remarks Makhtar Diop, Managing Director and EVP, International Finance Corporation (IFC) We need contribution from SMEs to help us reach our sustainability goals. Individually not a major source of greenhouse gases but collectively account for a significant...
Covid-19
Digital Transformation
Fintech
Nov 24, 2021
The intensity of the COVID-19 shock has clearly varied among MSMEs. On a more positive note, the COVID-19 crisis has accelerated the digitalization of many MSMEs and fostered their participation in digital ecosystems and marketplaces. In response to the emergency, governments have quickly introduced a wide range of policy and regulatory measures...
Oct 21, 2021
Washington D.C., October 21, 2021 — The 2021 Global SME Finance Forum Awards winners were announced today on during the virtual conference 2021 Global SME Finance Forum. To learn who the winners are, please visit https://www.smefinanceforum.org/awards-2021 Organized by IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and the SME Finance Forum and endorsed...
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Oct 11, 2021
Learn from Lori Kerr, CEO of FinDev Canada as the new kid on the block charting new territory in development finance. The SME Finance Forum’s Leader Dialogues, is a new series of one-on-one interviews with CEOs, senior executives of financial institutions and technology companies as well as financial sector regulators.
Guarantees
Sep 06, 2021
Credit Guarantees in MENA: Rebuilding SMEs post COVID - Virtual Event 5th International MENA Guarantee Conference 2021 – September 6 th to 7 th , 2021 - 2PM (Saudi Arabia) GMT+3 The COVID-19 pandemic hit Middle Eastern small business hard: survey data collected by the Rand Corporation during the first wave of the pandemic in June 2020 found that...
Sustainable Finance
Aug 23, 2021
Theme: Greening SME Finance Date: October 18 th to 21st Visit the event website here> www.globalsmefinanceforum.org/2021/ The Global SME Finance Forum is the largest, most technically in-depth, and geographically diverse conference on SME financing hosted around the world each year. Last year, as COVID-19 ushered the world unexpectedly, we...
Gender Finance
Aug 09, 2021
Across the globe, e-commerce is thriving. The e-commerce market in Africa is expected to reach $84 billion by 2030. The number of online shoppers has increased by an average of 18 percent every year since 2014, with similar growth anticipated over the next decade. The IFC’s latest report Women and E-commerce in Africa is the first large-scale use...
Operational Risk
Jul 20, 2021
Learn from Xiaodong Sun, Chief Risk Officer of MYbank in China about the innovative risk management system developed by the bank that allowed them to minimize the default rate during the pandemic. The SME Finance Forum’s Leader Dialogues, is a new series of one-on-one interviews with CEOs, senior executives of financial institutions and technology...
Fintech
Jul 09, 2021
Innovation is crucial, especially in tumultuous times like these. Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) knows this very well – proof of that is Elevator Lab, the largest fintech and startup partnership in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), powered by RBI. This year, among a record number of submissions, the Elevator Lab made it to Global Finance’s...
Fintech
Jul 08, 2021
Washington D.C., July 8th, 2021 - C2FO , the largest global platform for working capital, today announced it is joining the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Members consist of SME Financing experts from over 80 countries, all of whom share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses...
Governance
Jul 05, 2021
Bahrain Development Bank joins the SME Finance Forum to promote the growth of SMEs in the Kingdom of Bahrain and boost the local economy. Washington D.C., July 5ht, 2021 - Bahrain Development Bank joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME Financing experts from 80+ countries who share...
Financial Inclusion
Fintech
Jul 01, 2021
YSys joins the SME Finance Forum to provide sustainable FinTech and smart humanitarian solutions across regions. Washington D.C., July 1st, 2021. YSys joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME Financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance...
Jun 29, 2021
Washington D.C., June 29th, 2021- FintechOS , the global financial technology provider for banks, insurers and other financial services companies, joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME Financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to...
Jun 25, 2021
Last chance to finalize your Entries! The SME Finance Forum, organizer of Global SME Finance Awards, announced today that the Global SME Finance Awards 2021 deadline for has been extended to JULY 2nd! “As we look to recover from the impact of COVID-19, we are cognizant of the challenges posed to business and activities, therefore we decided to...
Jun 24, 2021
Washington D.C., June 24th, 2021 - Grupo CAPEM joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME Financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “When we started in 2012, we...
Fintech
Jun 22, 2021
HACKFund Global FinTech joins the SME Finance Forum to bring Silicon Valley Capital Raising Tools to Global SMEs Washington D.C., June 22nd, 2021- HACKFund Global FinTech is the newest member of the SME Finance Forum. Members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to capital through knowledge...
Financial Inclusion
Jun 17, 2021
Washington D.C., June 17th, 2021 - Gojo joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME Financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “The SME Finance Forum is a global body...
SME Insurance
Jun 15, 2021
Washington D.C., June 15th, 2021 - SecureNow joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME Financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “The SME Finance Forum is a global...
Jun 01, 2021
The SME Finance Forum, organizer of Global SME Finance Awards, announced today that the final entry deadline for the Global SME Finance Awards 2021 has been extended to June 25th. “As we look to recover from the impact of COVID-19, we are cognizant of the challenges posed to business and activities, therefore we decided to extend the deadline to...
Guarantees
Covid-19
May 27, 2021
Posted originally in the Financial Resilience Around the World, World Bank Blog Series Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in the heart of the Sahel region, was already facing difficult challenges when the COVID-19 outbreak occurred. The security context had been deteriorating since June 2018, with an upsurge in violent attacks by terrorists and...
May 26, 2021
Washington D.C., May 26, 2021 - Banco Solidario joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME Financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “When we started in 2012, we...
May 26, 2021
Learn from Thomas Östros, Vice President of the European Investment Bank, about EIB's work with SMEs, and his vision for the future growth of SMEs. The SME Finance Forum’s Leader Dialogues, is a new series of one-on-one interviews with CEOs, senior executives of financial institutions and technology companies as well as financial sector...
Sustainable Finance
May 19, 2021
Global SME Finance Forum 2021 – Greening SME Finance – October 18 th to 21st As the governments around the world are wrestling to contain the spread of COVID-19 and its unprecedented impacts on people’s lives and the economies around the globe, this crisis also provides a unique opportunity to build a greener, more sustainable and more resilient...
May 07, 2021
In this publication, you will read about the SME Finance Forum highlights in 2020. Extract from the Foreword: The year 2020 has been a challenging one for all of us. We have seen the COVID-19 pandemic throw the world into uncertainty. In this context, we are proud to have launched new services to help our members deal with this extraordinary...
Financial Inclusion
Sustainable Finance
May 04, 2021
Opportunity International joins the SME Finance Forum, which offers a new pathway to help more families who are living in poverty to build sustainable livelihoods and access quality education for their children. Washington D.C., May 4th, 2021 - Opportunity International joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership...
Operational Risk
Apr 28, 2021
Learn from Andrée Simon, President and CEO of FINCA Impact Finance, about the challenges of bringing people into the formal financial sector during COVID-19, and the critical need for preparation, transparency and communication to be ready to cope with crises. The SME Finance Forum’s Leader Dialogues, is a new series of one-on-one interviews with...
Apr 16, 2021
Global SME Finance Awards Deadline Extended to June 25 Welcome to the Fourth Annual Global SME Finance Awards! We look forward to hearing from financial intermediaries from across the spectrum and globe, as the need to learn from each other is even greater as we look to recover from the impact of Covid-19. We invite all types of financial...
Apr 16, 2021
Washington D.C., April 16th, 2021- BanQu joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME Financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “40 percent of small and medium...
Apr 13, 2021
Washington D.C., April 13th 2021 - CAF – Development Bank of Latin America joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME Financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “...
Sustainable Finance
Apr 01, 2021
Washington D.C., April 1st, 2021 - Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME Financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation...
Sustainable Finance
Mar 29, 2021
Washington D.C., 29 March 2021- We are pleased to announce that the International Trade Centre (ITC) is joining the SME Financing Forum. ITC , with Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations with responsibility for sustainable trade and enterprise development. ITC has a...
Financial Inclusion
Mar 25, 2021
Washington D.C., March 25th, 2021 - National Cash Transfer Co. (YCASH) joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME Financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “When we...
Trade Finance
Mar 24, 2021
Washington D.C., March 24th- FIMBank joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME Financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “40 percent of small and medium businesses...
Islamic Banking
Covid-19
Mar 24, 2021
Learn from Ayman Amin Sejiny, CEO of the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector, Member of IsDB Group, about his experience in Sharia-compliant financing, ethical standards and sustainability, and the importance of helping SMEs with the right funding during the pandemic. The SME Finance Forum’s Leader Dialogues, is a new...
Financial Inclusion
Mar 17, 2021
Learn from Paloma Tejada, Director of Talent and Culture, Agile and Communications, Client Solutions at BBVA about the cultural transformation of BBVA into an agile organization including staff and leadership, to provide better solutions for SMEs customers, and how diversity proves to have a positive impact on business. The SME Finance Forum’s...
Digital Transformation
Mar 15, 2021
*This article is an excerpt with key highlights from WeBank’s recent presentation at the 2021 Knowledge Annual Conference of the IFC. The pandemic has shoved the global economy into a state of chaos, affecting both large corporations and SMEs across nearly all sectors. However, the global outbreak has also brought opportunities to innovate...
Covid-19
Fintech
Mar 10, 2021
Learn from John Gachora, Group Managing Director at NCBA Group PLC. about his journey to become a leader in the banking industry, digitization, and how NCBA Group became the largest bank in Africa serving SME clients with mobile financial services, especially in Kenya. The SME Finance Forum’s Fireside Chat, now "Leader Dialogues", is a new series...
Covid-19
Digital Financial Services
Mar 04, 2021
The past 12 months have brought a multitude of unprecedented challenges for small businesses. It was inspirational to witness how they responded with versatility, creativity and tenacity, and how that brought about rapid innovation, new collaboration and empathy that continues to benefit society as a whole. It was also exciting to see the...
Fintech
Mar 01, 2021
Learn from Henry Ma, Chief Information Officer, WeBank, about his early career in the Silicon Valley, the unique 'ABCD' capabilities of WeBank as a fully digital bank, and the cost and quality of financial services, while serving 1.3 million SME clients in China. The SME Finance Forum’s Fireside Chat, now "Leader Dialogues", is a new series of one...
Financial Inclusion
Mar 01, 2021
10x1000 Tech for Inclusion is an open fintech learning platform sponsored by member Ant Financial Group and IFC that enables learners to become drivers of digital economic growth. Our mission is to train 1,000 emerging talents and tech leaders each year for the next ten years. Some quick highlights of 10x1000 online platform: A structured and...
Digital Financial Services
Digital Transformation
Fintech
Feb 26, 2021
BAI Global Innovation Awards, the financial service industry’s most prestigious awards program, has recently recognized UBX, the fintech spinoff and venture capital unit of Union Bank of the Philippines, for its high-impact innovation especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now on its tenth year, the BAI celebrates new and innovative solutions in...
Fintech
Feb 24, 2021
Member HPD Lendscape, a leading international secured lending platform vendor, today announces ambitious expansion plans for its global workforce, building on 12% growth in personnel in 2020. The recruitment drive follows sustained global demand for HPD Lendscape’s technology, with the company winning 35 new clients and increasing revenue by 36%...
Policy & Regulation
Covid-19
Feb 23, 2021
EIF Working Paper 2021/071: EIF Venture Capital, Private Equity Mid-Market & Business Angels Surveys 2020: Market sentiment – COVID-19 impact – Policy measures 2020 was an unprecedented and remarkable year, and also a year with high uncertainty and increased information needs. The EIF VC Survey, the EIF Private Equity Mid-Market Survey, and...
Feb 16, 2021
Washington D.C., February 16th, 2020.- Zalgroup joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME Financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide, through knowledge exchange and innovation. “40 percent of small and...
Feb 16, 2021
2021 is a year full of new initiatives! At the SME Finance Forum, we are eager to introduce you to the largest community of SME practitioners and C-Suite leaders in SME Banking. We know that organizing events is a time-consuming task. However, sponsoring one of our events may be the easiest way to be present and be heard by your target audience...
Covid-19
Fintech
Feb 10, 2021
Learn from Irene Arias, CEO of IDB Lab, (former FOMIN), about the importance of innovation labs, and how they accelerate digitization for SMEs in Latina America and the Caribbean, as well as provide other solutions, especially to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. The SME Finance Forum’s Fireside Chat, now "Leader Dialogues", is a new series of one-...
Covid-19
Feb 08, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in the beginning of 2020 brought a significant impact to the society and especially for Indonesian SMEs, which is said to be the backbone of the country’s economy. Looking at the important role of SMEs in Indonesia, Investree, as a pioneer in fintech lending which is now becoming into an integrated digital...
Equity
Gender Finance
Jan 28, 2021
The devastating economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic is amplifying existing inequalities, which may be felt for years to come. Entrepreneurship is no exception. Even before the pandemic, there was a stark gap between access to capital for female-led entrepreneurs and their male counterparts. It’s only gotten worse in the past year. A recent...
Covid-19
Digital Transformation
Jan 27, 2021
The SME Finance Forum’s Fireside Chat, now called "Leader Dialogues" , is a new series of one-on-one interviews with CEOs, senior executives of financial institutions and technology companies as well as financial sector regulators. In this edition, Joséphine Anan-Ankomah, Group Executive for Commercial Banking of Ecobank, talks with Matt Gamser,...
Covid-19
Payments
Jan 27, 2021
The SME Finance Forum’s Fireside Chat, now called "Leader Dialogues" , is a new series of one-on-one interviews with CEOs, senior executives of financial institutions and technology companies as well as financial sector regulators. In this edition, Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, the head for the M-Pesa Africa leadership team, talks to Matt Gamser about...
Digital Transformation
Payments
Jan 27, 2021
PPRO , the global provider of local payments infrastructure, is working with Banking Circle, the ground-breaking financial infrastructure provider, to enhance the PPRO service offering, supporting PSPs working with cross border e-commerce merchants. The partnership underlines the effectiveness of Banking Circle as a next-generation provider of...
Digital Financial Services
Fintech
Jan 26, 2021
Jobs to Be Done and cultural insights on what business owners need and the digital services that will help them meet their goal. What you will learn from that report: The entrepreneurial mindset and inspirations The growth opportunity in the SMB market How to design truly digital services for SMBs How to create cultural relevant financial brands...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Jan 26, 2021
Unified registration mechanism to use movable property, rights as collateral China has established a unified national financing registration system that uses movable property and rights as pledges, which is expected to increase loans for small and medium-sized enterprises and improve the overall business environment. The unified system has been...
Gender Finance
Jan 26, 2021
First City Monument Bank, a foremost financial services provider in Nigeria, has continued her aggressive drive and support for the Small and Medium Enterprises sector in the country. The bank, which was recently voted as the Best SME Bank in Africa, thereby consolidating its position as the dominant financial institution in the segment, has made...
Guarantees
Jan 25, 2021
Triodos Fair Share Fund and Triodos Microfinance Fund have provided a EUR 5 million debt facility to Lovćen banka in Montenegro, which largely targets small and family businesses. Rosanna Sarkeyeva, Regional Manager for Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia: “This transaction supports Lovćen banka’s strategy to increase its outreach to...
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Jan 21, 2021
Micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) face significant challenges in obtaining the financing and other resources they need to thrive. IFC, as a member of the World Bank Group, is committed to supporting these businesses by mobilizing private and public sector stakeholders to expand financial inclusion. Digital integration of “...
Financial Inclusion
Jan 20, 2021
Medical Credit Fund reached a disbursement milestone of $100 million in capital. As the only fund fully dedicated to the African health sector, its support has been critical for the continuation and improvement of care in many sub-Saharan regions, especially in the past crisis year. The Corona pandemic has put private facilities under increased...
Covid-19
Jan 20, 2021
Sub-Saharan Africa was hit hard by the COVID-19 shock in 2020, experiencing the first recession in roughly thirty years. However, the impact of the public health crisis and pandemic-induced global recession has been less severe than in-itially feared, and weaker than in other EM regions. This is the result of commodity prices recovering faster...
Guarantees
Jan 19, 2021
Triodos Fair Share Fund and Triodos Microfinance Fund have provided a EUR 3 million debt facility to AraratBank, one of the leading financial institutions in the Armenian banking sector. This facility will enable AraratBank to further expand its outreach to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Rosanna Sarkeyeva, Regional Manager for Europe,...
Non Financial Services
Gender Finance
Covid-19
Jan 15, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted many lives across the globe. In this blog we focus on women. Worldwide, the pandemic has hit women harder than men. Women run a higher risk of COVID-19 contagion due to their occupations in health-related activities. They are also overrepresented in jobs where social distancing has been more difficult...
Financial Inclusion
Jan 14, 2021
Fellow member Ant Financial has a very exciting program (cosponsored by IFC ) called 10x1000, intended to develop new fintech leaders for financial inclusion across emerging markets. The “ 10x1000 Tech for Inclusion Program ” is an open platform that encourages technology innovation and communication for future digital leaders. The program will...
Covid-19
Jan 14, 2021
The SME Finance Forum’s “Fireside Chat” is a new series of one-on-one interviews with CEOs, senior executives of financial institutions and technology companies as well as financial sector regulators. In this edition, Herbert Wigwe, Managing Director /CEO of Access Bank, talks with Yvonne Okwara, about the impact and disruptions caused by the...
Policy & Regulation
Jan 13, 2021
Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDBG) joins the SME Finance Forum global network to enhance coordination with international institutions for more impactful interventions benefiting its member countries and the Muslim communities worldwide . Washington D.C., January 13th, 2021 - Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDBG) , including ICIEC, IRTI, ISFD...
Policy & Regulation
Credit Risk & Scoring
Jan 12, 2021
In recent years, as more and more regulators have begun to assume the role of supervision and oversight over credit bureau(s), the World Bank Group has supported supervisors in understanding and carrying out their duties as it relates to this role. The WBG has supported the development of the credit bureau supervisory framework and the capacity to...
Policy & Regulation
Credit Risk & Scoring
Jan 08, 2021
Coordination between secured transactions law and rules regulating financial products and institutions is of primary importance to support establishing a sound and inclusive credit ecosystem. This Primer illustrates why coordination between secured transactions law reforms and prudential regulation is needed; introduces the rationale and key...
Non Financial Services
Jan 06, 2021
After a busy year, working with thousands of entrepreneurs across Africa in our ‘new world’, the African Management Institue (AMI) has been thinking deeply about the future of business development support, and how the crisis brought about by Covid-19 might in fact open up new opportunities to serve more SMEs, more effectively. Their new report – ‘...
Guarantees
Jan 01, 2021
Lending based on movable assets is much more common in developed markets. Through the work of the World Bank Group and the International Finance Corporation, the use of lending based on movable assets continues to expand throughout the globe. Many best-practice examples can now be found in emerging markets such as Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Vietnam,...
Fintech
Dec 23, 2020
Our member Raiffesisen Bank International’s Partnership Program Elevator Lab’s fourth round took place virtually in the second half of 2020. Elevator Lab had been selected as one of the “Best Financial Innovation Labs in 2020” by the Global Finance. The Lab aims at finding innovative fintech solutions and building mutually beneficial partnerships...
Financial Inclusion
Dec 22, 2020
Our member Kabbage plans to expand on the work done by researchers from NYU Stern on the kind of lenders that had the highest minority share among their Payment Protection Program (PPP) loans. They will work on exploring the reasons behind the found correlation between the lender type and borrower race. The current research note focused on...
Fintech
Dec 18, 2020
Washington D.C. December 18th, 2020 - Business finance marketplace Funding Options has joined the SME Finance Forum global membership network. Small and mid-sized businesses are the lifeblood of the UK economy and will play a pivotal role in driving economic recovery with access to capital central to that. As the UK adapts to a tiered system of...
Fintech
Dec 17, 2020
We are happy to share that our member Bitbond , Germany’s leading tokenization and digital asset custody technology provider, and Bankhaus von der Heydt (BVDH), one of Europe’s oldest banks, have joined forces to issue a Euro (EUR) stablecoin (EURB) on the Stellar network. The EURB stablecoin is the first stablecoin issued directly by a banking...
Dec 17, 2020
Washington D.C., December 18th, 2020 - SunTrust Bank joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME Financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide, through knowledge exchange and innovation. “40 percent of small and...
Covid-19
Dec 17, 2020
If you missed out on our conference or would like to rewatch our informative discussions, visit http://www.globalsmefinanceforum.org/2020/ or visit the Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/showcase/7803227
Sustainable Finance
Dec 17, 2020
Washington D.C., December 17th, 2020 - We are excited to share that Investree joined the SME Finance Forum global membership network. The Forum brings together development financial institutions, banks, and fintechs from around the world to support SMEs through knowledge exchange, policy change, and impactful partnerships. “When we started in 2012...
Covid-19
Dec 16, 2020
The SME Finance Forum’s “Fireside Chat” is a new series of one-on-one interviews with CEOs, senior executives of financial institutions and technology companies as well as financial sector regulators. In this edition, Michael Schlein, CEO of Accion, talks with Yvonne Okwara, about decades of experience working with small business owners who are...
Sustainable Finance
Dec 15, 2020
As the world reflects on progress on climate action since the Paris Agreement signing, it has been clear that action by small and medium-sized companies is essential for accelerating the transition to a net-zero emissions global economy. The SME Climate Hub has joined forces with Oxford University to provide small and medium-sized enterprises (...
Covid-19
Dec 10, 2020
We are happy to share that our member U GRO Capital has recently entered into a strategic partnership with the Wadhwani Foundation, a global non-profit organization. The partnership between the two organizations will mutually benefit the micro, small and medium enterprises that are predominantly present in education, healthcare, hospitality,...
Covid-19
Dec 09, 2020
The SME Finance Forum's "Fireside Chat" is a new series of one-on-one interviews with CEOs, senior executives of financial institutions and technology companies as well as financial sector regulators. In this edition, Selim Hussain, Managing Director, and CEO of BRAC Bank, shared how early decisions made in response to COVID-19 helped overcome the...
Islamic Banking
Dec 08, 2020
We are happy to share that our member Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector’s (ICD) has established Finnovation Award to recognize, showcase and encourage financial institutions that provide an outstanding solution to the financial industry. Finnovation awards are a part of their new online platform “ Finnovation ” which...
Dec 08, 2020
Washington D.C., December 8th, 2020 - First Bank Nigeria Limited ( FirstBank ) joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME Financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide, through knowledge exchange and innovation...
Operational Risk
Dec 07, 2020
Our member Afreximbank has taken the lead in creating a platform for Customer Due Diligence (CDD)/Know Your Customer (KYC) issues, with a special emphasis on African financial institutions and corporates. The platform referred to as Mansa will provide a single source of primary data required for performing customer due diligence checks on...
Non Financial Services
Policy & Regulation
Dec 06, 2020
IFC had a strong year in spite of the pandemic. They committed $22 billion in long-term finance—an almost 15 percent year-on-year increase—including $11.1 billion invested for their own account. In addition, short-term financing commitments, including trade finance, totaled $6.5 billion: a 12 percent increase compared with the previous fiscal year...
Digital Financial Services
Dec 04, 2020
We’re delighted to share that our member Fern Software’s premier CRM and loans management system, FaaSBank is now used by over 50 community and SME lending organizations from coast to coast in Canada. FaaSBank was collaboratively designed with Community Futures Development Corporations (CDFDCs) in Ontario, Canada. User friendly and intuitive,...
Financial Education
Dec 04, 2020
To celebrate the new decade, this year’s Global SME Finance Forum looked much farther forward, to imagine where we might be in SME financing a decade from now. We tested the limits of our prescience by predicting how products, delivery channels, institutions and enabling environments might look 10 years from now. Following our practice of...
Fintech
Dec 03, 2020
COVID-19 has immensely changed the way we work. With an increase in reliance over online communication and remote work, there has also been an increase in security and data threat issues. Therefore, to meet the needs of modern-day digital challenges, our member Fern Software has partnered with Salesforce, one of the largest cloud-based software...
Islamic Banking
Dec 03, 2020
One of the main goals of our member Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector’s (ICD) asset management department is to create an “Enabling Environment” for the growth of Islamic Finance and build “Partnerships” with the private sector to enhance resource mobilization. The SME Funds at Asset Management Department of ICD is...
Dec 02, 2020
The SME Finance Forum's "Fireside Chat" is a new series of one-on-one interviews with CEOs, senior executives of financial institutions and technology companies as well as financial sector regulators. In this edition, Kathryn Petralia, Co-founder and President of Kabbage, a US-based fintech talks to Matthew Gamser, CEO of the SME Finance Forum...
Covid-19
Dec 02, 2020
Our member Triodos Investment Management has shared an informative column on “How Covid-19 is changing financial inclusion,” by Frank Streppel, Head of Global Investments at Triodos IM. He is a seasoned impact investing specialist with more than 20 years of expertise. According to him, financial inclusion facilitates access to all other basic...
Equity
Dec 02, 2020
Small and medium businesses have been some of the hardest hit in the COVID-19 pandemic. And all that has been as true in emerging markets as it has been for SMBs in the developed world. Tunde Kehinde has had a front-row seat witnessing and responding to that crisis. He’s the CEO and co-founder of our global member Lidya , a startup out of Nigeria...
Equity
Dec 01, 2020
We are pleased to share that our member Triodos Investment Management through its Triodos Microfinance Fund and Triodos Fair Share Fund in collaboration with Germany’s GLS Bank and UmweltBank has acquired 78% of Opportunity Bank Serbia (OBS), which is a member of Opportunity International, a network of banks and microfinance organizations. Triodos...
Nov 30, 2020
"Human capital is still the most basic of our strategy and the pillar of our development plan. Without human capital and their knowledge, it's not possible for us to adapt financial services that we provide to our clients...making Intesa Sanpaolo the leader in (handling) the COVID-19 crisis", said Massimiliano Cattozzi, Executive Director and Head...
Policy & Regulation
Credit Risk & Scoring
Nov 30, 2020
Washington D.C., November 30th, 2020 - We are pleased to welcome SMERA to the SME Finance Forum. Our global membership network consists of leading financial institutions, innovative financial technologies companies, and development finance institutions who come together to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of small and...
Sustainable Finance
Nov 27, 2020
We’re delighted to share that our member FinDev Canada has announced a USD 20 million loan support to FirstRand, one of South Africa’s leading financial institutions. The loan will add further financial capacity and assist in providing innovative lending solutions to FirstRand’s approximately 700,000 SME clients. Paulo Martelli, Director of...
Nov 26, 2020
We’re pleased to share our member Islamic Corporation for the Development’s (ICD) valuable work from their Business Resilience Assistance for Value-adding Enterprise (BRAVE) Women Program. The project was fully funded by the Women Entrepreneurship Finance Initiative (We-Fi). The total amount of approved funding by We-Fi for the BRAVE Women...
Sustainable Finance
Nov 25, 2020
We’re proud to share that our member FinDev Canada has announced a USD 10 million loan support to Colombia’s Business Development Bank (Bancóldex). Alongside IDB Invest, FinDev Canada’s financing will support Bancóldex’s COVID-19 emergency liquidity lending program, which will support SMEs severely affected by the pandemic in Colombia. Created in...
Digital Financial Services
Nov 25, 2020
We all know that a lot has changed in 2020 as society gets used to the new routines; working from home or working on the front lines. Our member Fern Software is ready to enable this transition with a new platform that allows users to work from anywhere. Using AI technology to identify trends, they've embraced digital to the fullest with the...
Islamic Banking
Nov 24, 2020
We are proud to share our member Islamic Corporation for the Development’s (ICD) Business Resilience Assistance for Value-adding Enterprise (BRAVE) project. ICD’s Industry and Business Environment Support (IBES) team initiated the BRAVE concept. The project was designed through joint efforts between ICD and the Small and Micro Enterprise Promotion...
Trade Finance
Nov 24, 2020
We are delighted to share that our member HPD LendScape’s key client Allied Irish Bank (AIB) has completed a major technology initiative with the migration of its receivables finance operations to HPD LendScape’s fully cloud-hosted platform. The Cloud migration and software upgrade will allow the bank to easily scale up its offering and improve...
Rural & Agriculture Finance
Nov 23, 2020
We are excited to share that our member The Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND) has announced that the nominations are now open for Prince Talal International Prize for Human Development for the year 2020 under the subject "Zero Hunger: Eliminating hunger, providing food security and improved nutrition, and promoting sustainable...
Islamic Banking
Nov 20, 2020
Washington D.C., November 20, 2020 - We are excited to share that the Islamic Corporation for the Development of The Private Sector ( ICD ), the private sector development arm of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group , has joined the SME Finance Forum (Forum) global membership network. The Forum brings together development financial...
Nov 18, 2020
The SME Finance Forum's "Fireside Chat" is a new series of one-on-one interviews with CEOs, senior executives of financial institutions and technology companies as well as financial sector regulators. In this edition, Judy Hsu, ASEAN and South Asia CEO for Standard Chartered Bank talks to Matthew Gamser, CEO of the SME Finance Forum about the...
Financial Inclusion
Nov 18, 2020
The Development Research Group at World Bank organized a talk on Bank lending for inclusive growth on November 17th, 2020 with speakers Claudia Ruiz-Ortega and Mario Guadamillas. You can watch the session recording HERE. Session Brief Bank lending is a key driver of economic growth. However, large inefficiencies remain—particularly in developing...
Nov 13, 2020
The SME Finance Forum's "Fireside Chat" is a new series of one-on-one interviews with CEOs, senior executives of financial institutions and technology companies as well as financial sector regulators. The second interview on this series is with member KODIT, the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund, a policy-based financial institution established in 1976...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Nov 11, 2020
We are delighted to share that our member Triodos Investment Management’s Microfinance Fund, Fair Share Fund and Hivos-Triodos Fund have provided a EUR 3 million debt facility to KoinWorks, the leading digital lender in the growing peer-to-peer (P2P) lending space in Indonesia. KoinWorks is a company which connects borrowers (SMEs) to lenders on...
Gender Finance
Nov 09, 2020
We are delighted to share the ‘How to Invest With A Gender Lens?’, a guide created by Value for Women . The guide offers multiple concrete pathways for investors who want to keep inclusion at the core of their efforts in these important times of Covid-19 pandemic. Gender lens investing is the deliberate incorporation of gender factors into...
Sustainable Finance
Nov 06, 2020
We are proud to announce that our member Triodos Investment Management’s Hivos-Triodos Fund , has taken an equity share in Indian clean-tech company GPS Renewables (GPS), together with the local impact investor Caspian. GPS is a leading and innovative bio-energy technology company that develops disruptive organic-waste-to-energy solutions. The...
Non Financial Services
Nov 06, 2020
Fyndoo by our member Topicus has partnered with de Volksbank to accelerate financing to the self-employed and entreprenuers. This partnership enables complete digitization of loan applications and loan processing. Entrepreneurs can now obtain financing with 5 working days upon completion of all documentation. “With Fyndoo Lending we offer...
Trade Finance
Nov 06, 2020
The global economy is going through unprecedented times. The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the world, threatening the lives and livelihoods of millions of people in both developed and developing economies, with a particularly devastating impact on small businesses. World trade plummeted in the first half the year, and despite signs of trade...
Nov 03, 2020
Washington D.C., November 3rd, 2020- vcita joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME Financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide, through knowledge exchange and innovation. “40 percent of small and medium...
Nov 02, 2020
Washington D.C. 28 de octubre de 2020 . El Banco BHD León se unió a la red global de miembros del SME Finance Forum (Foro de Financiamiento para Pequeñas y Medianas Empresas, en español) para seguir apoyando a las pymes de República Dominicana. El Foro agrupa grandes empresas a nivel mundial con el propósito de promover servicios multibancarios...
Trade Finance
Nov 02, 2020
Global Executive Forum Series by Trade Finance Global and SME Finance Forum. Our partner Trade Finance Global launched the Global Executive Forum Series, in a joint collaboration with the SME Finance Forum. The second interview in the series discusses ‘1.5°C Supply Chain Leaders’ with Maria Mendiluce, CEO of We Mean Business, Majda Dabaghi,...
Financial Education
Nov 02, 2020
We are proud to announce that our member Proparco and Agence Française de Développement Group (AFD) has committed approx. €2.5 billion to finance MSMEs and entrepreneurs in Africa, by the year 2022. The Choose Africa initiative is implemented by the AFD group and coordinated by Proparco. About 10,000 African companies will be supported by this...
Financial Education
Nov 02, 2020
We are proud to announce that our member Triodos Investment Management’s Microfinance Fund and the German Development Finance Institution (DEG) have invested close to USD 25 million in Ipak Yuli Bank, a universal commercial bank in Uzbekistan. Both investors have acquired an equal minority stake in the share capital of the bank through an issuance...
Trade Finance
Nov 02, 2020
We are delighted to launch the ‘Trade Finance Explained: An SME Guide for Importers and Exporters’ along with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), The Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT), International Trade Centre (ITC), Forum of Private Business (FPB), and Trade Finance Global (TFG). What's the SME Trade Finance Guide...
Financial Education
Oct 24, 2020
Washington DC, October October 27th, 2020 — The SME Finance Forum announced the winners of the 2 020 Global SME Finance Forum Award s today during the Global SME Finance Forum 2020 Virtual Conference . Check the list of winners here> https://www.smefinanceforum.org/awards-2020 Organized by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) , a member...
Covid-19
Oct 24, 2020
SME Finance Forum presents the 2020 Global SME Finance Forum Virtual Conference on October 26-28, with more than 1800+ senior executives from commercial banks, development finance institutions, fintech companies, regulators, and featuring exhibition booths, fireside chats, fintech pitches, virtual tours, and much more. The Global SME Finance...
Digital Financial Services
Oct 23, 2020
Washington D.C., October 23rd, 2020 - We welcome Polymath Ventures to the SME Finance Forum global membership network. Our network consists of SME financing leaders from around the world who come together to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of small and underserved businesses. “At SME Finance Forum we are committed to...
Oct 19, 2020
Washington D.C., October 19th,2020 - We’re excited to share that BHD Leon joined the SME Finance Forum global membership network. The Forum brings together development financial institutions, banks, and fintechs from around the world to support SMEs through knowledge exchange, policy change, and impactful partnerships. “When we started in 2012, we...
Oct 16, 2020
Washington D.C., October 16, 2020- Beehive joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME Financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide, through knowledge exchange and innovation. “40 percent of small and medium...
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Oct 16, 2020
We are proud to share that our member HPD LendScape has partnered with Emirates Development Bank (EDB) to launch UAE’s National Supply Chain Finance (SCF) platform. This initiative will offer UAE businesses improved access to working capital, particularly as they cope with the added pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic. SCF solutions will enable...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Oct 15, 2020
The importance of credit reporting systems to the global financial system has been increasing over time. Robust credit reporting systems can promote not only access to affordable and sustainable credit for individuals and companies but also financial stability and economic growth. Credit reporting service providers (CRSPs) have been at the...
Non Financial Services
Oct 15, 2020
Fyndoo is the name of a lending ecosystem, a cloud technology stack developed and owned and by our member, Topicus. They make financing accessible, efficient and transparent for all parties involved and connect financers, entrepreneurs and advisors with their cloud-based business lending platform. Lack of access to lending is a challenge for...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Oct 15, 2020
The main objective of this Knowledge Guide is to provide guidance to the World Bank Group (WBG) staff, donor institutions, government officials and other practitioners on the objectives and implementation of secured transactions reforms, as well as the factors that affect the implementation. The Knowledge Guide considers the experiences learned in...
Digital Financial Services
Oct 15, 2020
This blog has been originally posted on the World Bank Blogs website. Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play a huge role in facilitating economic development due to their flexibility and affinity to innovation. Even more so in emerging economies with a high contribution from the informal sector. Yet, MSMEs face several challenges when...
Digital Financial Services
Oct 15, 2020
Our member CashDirector, an AI-enabled Digital CFO for SMEs with operations in Poland, France, Germany and Italy, is further expanding its services in Europe with the support of EIT Digital Accelerator and a recent financing round led by one of the largest Polish Investment Funds, EEC Magenta. Through CashDirector, banks obtain valuable...
Financial Education
Oct 15, 2020
We're proud to share that our members 4G CAPITAL GROUP Limited (“4G CAPITAL”) and Citi with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (“DFC”) and the Ford Foundation have collaborated to expand financial inclusion through the provision of working capital to support the growth of micro-enterprises in Kenya. 4G Capital will receive a...
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Oct 07, 2020
On Wednesday September 19, 2019, our member Afriland First Bank organized a meeting between SMEs and SMIs. This was the second edition of this event which brought together around 100 Cameroonian companies. The theme of the event was “From factory to market: solutions to the challenges of production and distribution by SMEs / SMIs in Cameroon.” The...
Gender Finance
Oct 06, 2020
IFC and member FMO - Dutch entrepreneurial development bank has launched a report today on how non-financial services are the key to unlocking the growth potential of women-led businesses. The report highlights how women SME such as Patricia Mwangi’s business in Kenya benefit from non-financial services. Download the report> http://wrld.bg/...
Covid-19
Oct 06, 2020
Originally posted in Nanopay website In this piece, prepared by member Nanopay, Ivy Luu, Director of Liquidity Management Solutions, talks about the future of liquidity management and draws parallels between today’s crisis and the one that occurred in 2008. Continue reading here>
Oct 01, 2020
Washington D.C., October 1st, 2020 - Banco Atlántida joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME Financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide, through knowledge exchange and innovation. “40 percent of small and...
Covid-19
Sep 29, 2020
Our partner Trade Finance Global launched the Global Executive Forum Series, in a joint collaboration with the SME Finance Forum , with the first B20 / Business at OECD - OCDE Interview with Gianluca Riccio, CFA, Vice-Chair Finance Committee, Business at OECD. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the world’s considerable dependence on Global...
Sep 29, 2020
Washington D.C., September 29th, 2020 - We welcome RootAnt to the SME Finance Forum global membership network. Our network consists of SME financing leaders from around the world who come together to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of small and underserved businesses. “At SME Finance Forum we are committed to helping small...
Covid-19
Sep 29, 2020
The treatment of credit data during a crisis has potential impact on the integrity of the credit reporting system and ultimately the financial markets. Inadequate and untimely data reduces the reliance placed by credit providers on the credit reporting system and can lead to credit rationing, increase in the cost of credit and exclusion of...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Sep 29, 2020
This blog has been originally posted on the World Bank Blogs website. For most MSMEs, capital and wealth are concentrated in movable assets -- in the developing world, 78% of the capital stock of businesses are inventory, equipment or receivables, and only 22% land and buildings. Conversely though, lending practices in most of the developing world...
Covid-19
Sep 28, 2020
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage economies around the world, our member FSD Kenya is steering forward to measure the economic impact of the situation on low-income Kenyans and smaller businesses. As a significant institution in the region, their efforts play a pivotal role in helping the financial sector develop policies and solutions...
Gender Finance
Sep 25, 2020
Women play a significant role in the development of our economy but are one of the most vulnerable groups impacted by unprecedented events. The ongoing pandemic has heightened the need to address the gender finance gap in societies around the world and drive initiatives to support them in achieving financial independence. We’re proud to see our...
Gender Finance
Sep 25, 2020
As 2020 started, Wandia Gichuru’s eyes were set on a 40% revenue growth on her business from the previous year. Wandia is Founder and Owner of Vivo, a manufacturer and retailer of women’s clothing with 14 shops throughout Kenya. Little did she know that only a few months later the world would go into a rare lockdown which would make even matching...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Sep 24, 2020
This blog has been originally posted on the World Bank Blogs website . Two months from now, about 200 million people will be out of jobs due to the economic effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The disruption of supply chains and reduction in demand are impacting businesses’ cash flows and profitability—in some cases permanently. To avert a...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Sep 24, 2020
This third edition of the Credit Reporting Knowledge Guide, like the two earlier editions, disseminates knowledge on best practices in credit reporting development, based on the experiences of the World Bank Group. Since the launch of the program, the World Bank Group has helped to develop favorable credit reporting environments in many countries...
Sep 23, 2020
The SME Finance Forum's "Fireside Chat" is a new series of one-on-one interviews with CEOs, senior executives of financial institutions and technology companies as well as financial sector regulators. The series focuses on a wide range of critical issues that matter to development and growth of MSMEs around the world. The invited guests will share...
Digital Financial Services
Sep 21, 2020
On the 5th Anniversary of our network, we thank our founding members for their invaluable support SMEs play a pivotal role in building economies and supporting job creation and innovation – yet most struggle to get the financing they require to grow. This is why the G20 countries, in the aftermath of the global financial crisis, decided to create...
Digital Transformation
Sep 18, 2020
Member Banking Circle announced on September 9th, 2020 that it is tackling the compliance and reconciliation issues often faced in global B2B payments with its new Payments on Behalf of (POBO) and Collections on Behalf of (COBO) solutions. Available globally through SWIFT, Faster Payments, CHAPS, SEPA and local clearing, the Banking Circle POBO...
Sep 17, 2020
Washington D.C., September 17th, 2020 - We welcome Rong360 Jianpu Technology (NYSE:JT) to the SME Finance Forum global membership network. Our network consists of SME financing leaders from around the world who come together to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of small and underserved businesses. “At SME Finance Forum we...
Sep 15, 2020
Washington D.C., September 15th - AfreximBank joins the SME Finance Forum as the 200th member of our global membership network. Our members are SME Financing experts from 190+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide, through knowledge exchange and innovation. “40 percent of small and medium...
Youth Entrepreneurship
Sep 14, 2020
Four in 10 people, or 42 percent, of the world’s population are under the age of 25. Globally, an estimated 70.9 million youth were unemployed in 2017. Thus, job creation and economic growth through private sector development have become primary areas of focus for policymakers around the world. As more youth enter the workforce, they are known to...
Sep 14, 2020
Washington D.C., September 14th - We’re excited to share that MIB Network Limited , a subsidiary of Mobvista, joined the SME Finance Forum global membership network. The Forum brings together development financial institutions, banks, and fintechs from around the world to support SMEs through knowledge exchange, policy change, and impactful...
Covid-19
Sep 11, 2020
B20 and Business at OECD launch “GVC Passport” concept on Financial Compliance to Reinvigorate Firms’ Growth Post-COVID-19 The Business 20 (B20), the official voice of the global business community across G20 members, and Business at OECD launched a joint conceptual policy proposal that focuses on reducing barriers that firms encounter in their...
Digital Financial Services
Sep 11, 2020
Washington D.C., September 11th, 2020 - We welcome TrueMoney to the SME Finance Forum global membership network. Our network consists of SME financing leaders from around the world who come together to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of small and underserved businesses. “At SME Finance Forum we are committed to helping...
Sep 04, 2020
Originally published on The Next Web . History has taught us that times of crisis drive demand for technological advancement. Those that leverage innovative technology, to tackle challenges and turn them into opportunities, are often the most successful in helping society to recover. Earlier this year, when the novel coronavirus sparked a global...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Sep 03, 2020
Washington D.C., September 3rd, 2020 - We’re excited to share that Prime Bank joined the SME Finance Forum global membership network. We bring together development financial institutions, banks, and fintechs from around the world to support SMEs through knowledge exchange, policy change, and impactful partnerships. “When we started in 2012, we...
Aug 28, 2020
Member EIF has issued two working papers as a result of a research project on “Measuring Microfinance Impact in the EU. Policy recommendations for Financial and Social Inclusion” (MeMI). The project was initiated and supervised by the EIF and was funded by the EIB Institute under the EIB-University Sponsorship Programme (EIBURS). The aim of this...
Aug 27, 2020
Washington D.C., August 27th, 2020 - We’re excited to share that AGFUND is the newest member of the SME Finance Forum. We bring together development financial institutions, banks, and fintechs from around the world to support SMEs through knowledge exchange, policy change, and impactful partnerships. “40 percent of small and medium businesses...
Digital Financial Services
Aug 25, 2020
Washington D.C., August 25th, 2020 - We’re excited to share that HPD LendScape has joined the SME Finance Forum global membership network. The Forum brings together development financial institutions, banks, and fintechs from around the world to support SMEs through knowledge exchange, policy change, and impactful partnerships. “When we started in...
![[REPORT LAUNCH] People’s Money: Harnessing Digitalization to Finance a Sustainable Future](https://smefinanceforum.org/sites/default/files/styles/720x486/public/Read%20now.jpeg?itok=0UHp2Qnv "[REPORT LAUNCH] People’s Money: Harnessing Digitalization to Finance a Sustainable Future")
Aug 24, 2020
[REPORT LAUNCH] As part of the GPFI implementing partners, the United Nations Task Force on Digital Financing on the Sustainable Development Goals has launched the report: “People’s Money: Harnessing Digitalization to Finance a Sustainable Future”. New York City, 26 August - A new report launched today, “People’s Money: Harnessing Digitalization...
Covid-19
Digital Financial Services
Aug 19, 2020
We are thrilled to announce that the nomination committee of the World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF) , an affiliated partner of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), chaired by Baybars Altuntas, has unanimously selected the SME Finance Forum CEO, Matt Gamser, to join the Executive Committee of the Ethical Governance...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Aug 17, 2020
Despite a low growth economy, which was hit even harder by COVID-19, local small and medium enterprise (SME) financier Retail Capital, has retained its national BB+ credit rating. While its international rating has dropped by one notch to B- in line with South Africa’s credit downgrade in March, both ratings have a stable outlook. This has...
Digital Financial Services
Aug 17, 2020
American Express today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire substantially all of Kabbage , a leading financial technology company providing cash flow management solutions to small businesses in the U.S. The transaction represents an important step toward American Express’ goal of being an essential partner to small businesses...
Aug 10, 2020
Washington D.C., August 10th, 2020 - We’re excited to share that Salt Edge is the newest member of the SME Finance Forum. We bring together development financial institutions, banks, and fintechs from around the world to support SMEs through knowledge exchange, policy change, and impactful partnerships. “40 percent of small and medium businesses...
Aug 04, 2020
Washington, D.C., August 4th, 2020 – Retail Capital became the newest member of the SME Finance Forum, a global membership network that brings together financial institutions, technology companies, and development finance institutions to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of SMEs. “40 percent of small and medium businesses...
Jul 31, 2020
Washington, D.C., July 31st, 2020 – FNB became the newest member of the SME Finance Forum , a global membership network that brings together financial institutions, technology companies, and development finance institutions to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of SMEs. “40 percent of small and medium businesses worldwide...
Jul 30, 2020
This publication is a research paper prepared by Dr. Randa Al-Yafi, Ph.D (Associates Professor) at College of Business Administration, Management Department, King Saud University, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (reviewed and approved by Kafalah GD). The research is showing some backgrounds of the SME sector and highlighting Kafalah role and achievements...
Financial Education
Jul 30, 2020
Originally posted by The Banker and reproduced with author's permission. Accounting has a long tradition. In Europe, it can be traced back to the 15th century, when double-entry bookkeeping became more widely known through the publication of a book by friar Luca Pacioli, in 1494, where he described the practice that Venetian merchants had been...
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Jul 30, 2020
Washington D.C., July 30th, 2020 - We’re excited to share that Tam Faktoring is the newest member of the SME Finance Forum. The Forum brings together development financial institutions, banks, and fintechs from around the world to support SMEs through knowledge exchange, policy change, and impactful partnerships. “When we started in 2012, we were...
Policy & Regulation
Jul 29, 2020
Each year, our member BDC (Canada’s Business Development Bank) submits its annual report to the Parliament of Canada. It outlines BDC’s activities and achievements and includes its Consolidated Financial Statements as well as messages from the Chairperson of the Board of Directors and from the President and CEO. Some numbers: 62,000 entrepreneurs...
Gender Finance
Jul 28, 2020
Digital financial services have expanded opportunities for millions of women across the globe. More than 240 million more women now have an account with a financial institution or mobile money service, compared to 2014.1 Through this increased engagement in the formal economy, women’s resilience to financial, economic and health shocks is...
Jul 28, 2020
Washington D.C., July 28th, 2020 - We’re excited to share that Lucy joined the SME Finance Forum global membership network. The Forum brings together development financial institutions, banks, and fintechs from around the world to support SMEs through knowledge exchange, policy change, and impactful partnerships. “When we started in 2012, we were...
Digital Financial Services
Jul 22, 2020
Access to finance is a critical barrier for SMEs to start, sustain and grow their businesses. About half of formal SMEs do not have access to formal credit, and instead rely on internal funds, or cash from friends and family, to launch and initially run their business. An extensive survey of SMEs in 135 countries showed that access to finance was...
Covid-19
Jul 21, 2020
Originally posted on the The Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) website . Since the early onset of the global pandemic, Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) has adopted ongoing preventive and supportive measures aimed at containing the negative repercussions of COVID-19 on the local economy. Furthermore, the central bank has facilitated the use of...
Gender Finance
Youth Entrepreneurship
Digital Financial Services
Jul 19, 2020
The G20 High-Level Policy Guidelines on Digital Financial Inclusion for Youth, Women, and SMEs document was produced by the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI) in 2020 under the Saudi Arabia G20 Presidency with the support of OECD , the World Bank Group in partnership with The Better Than Cash Alliance, the Women's World Banking...
Digital Financial Services
Jul 09, 2020
Washington D.C., July 9th, 2020 - We’re happy to announce that Baobab Group joined the SME Finance Forum global membership network. The Forum brings together development financial institutions, banks, and fintechs from around the world to support SMEs through knowledge exchange, policy change, and impactful partnerships. “At SME Finance Forum we...
Covid-19
Jul 08, 2020
In this white paper, Dr. Mohammad Nurunnabi, Dr. Hisham Mohammed Alhawal and Professor Zahirul Hoque, from Global SME Policy Network (GSPN), address the impact of COVID-19 and how CEOs respond to SMEs recovery planning in Saudi Arabia. The findings of this study will be useful to global SMEs and policymakers and practitioners by providing examples...
Financial Education
Jul 07, 2020
Eight members of the SME Finance Forum won the IFC's 9th-Annual Trade Awards , which recognize the most successful partner banks that have been active under IFC’s Trade Finance Program in 2019. 47 winners were selected based on a competitive process amidst a total network of over 500 banks. “ We’re proud of the contributions our members make each...
Covid-19
Jul 07, 2020
Member Kabbage published a recent report on the results of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The combined Kabbage Program processed more than $5.8 billion in Paycheck Protection Program loans, providing support to more than 209,000 small businesses and maintained an estimated 782,000 jobs across Main Street America. This includes all types of...
Jul 06, 2020
2020 Global SME Finance Forum – First Ever Virtual Edition The Global SME Finance Forum Conference is the largest, most technically in-depth, and geographically diverse conference on SME financing hosted around the world each year. Our events attract over 700 leaders from commercial banks, development finance institutions, fintech companies, as...
Digital Financial Services
Jul 03, 2020
The International Council for Small Business (ICSB), in June 2016, convened a small business panel at its 61st World Congress at the United Nations, in New York City. This report is the continuation of the ICSB’s work since 2016 with the goal of bringing all stakeholders and partners together in one place, with one mission, and one focus: to help...
Financial Education
Jul 01, 2020
Washington D.C., July 1st, 2020 - We’re excited to share that Funding Societies joined the SME Finance Forum global membership network. The Forum brings together development financial institutions, banks, and fintechs from around the world to support SMEs through knowledge exchange, policy change, and impactful partnerships. “When we started in...
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Jun 30, 2020
The FCI Annual Review has been recently published by our industry partner, and it is a globally recognised publication in the world of Factoring and Receivables Finance. Peter Mulroy, FCI Secretary General, introduces the publication highlighting the major achievements in 2019 but also the challenges and opportunities facing FCI and the industry...
![[Member News] PayPal pledges over $500 million to support minority-owned U.S. businesses](https://smefinanceforum.org/sites/default/files/styles/720x486/public/PayPal-India-Expansion-Ecommerce.jpg?itok=7mHx0aw8 "[Member News] PayPal pledges over $500 million to support minority-owned U.S. businesses")
Jun 17, 2020
Member PayPal Holdings Inc said on Thursday it was pledging $530 million to support black and minority-owned businesses in the United States and foster diversity, amid worldwide protests over racial injustice. $500 million will be devoted to the creation of an economic opportunity fund that will invest in black and under-represented minority...
Covid-19
Jun 16, 2020
The novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which causes the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has infected over 7.45 million people worldwide and claimed over 400,000 lives globally. It is not just a pandemic—it is also a burgeoning (global) economic crisis, especially because of the measures (including lockdowns) adopted to contain its spread. Several...
Covid-19
Jun 16, 2020
Following on our recent agreement with TFG’s as an industry partner for the SME Finance Forum, this podcast features our CEO, Matt Gamser, interviewed by host Deepesh Patel (DP), Editor, of the Trade Finance Global. Trade Finance Talks is a podcast from Trade Finance Global (TFG) featuring global experts, and learnings about the latest trends,...
Jun 10, 2020
This interview is part of Digital Frontiers Institute's course on Digital MSME Marketing , and has been reproduced with permission of the Digital Frontiers Institute. Copyright 2020, Digital Frontiers Institute. Members can request password to smefinanceforum@ifc.org
Jun 08, 2020
Washington, D.C., June 8th, 2020 – Farmerline became the newest member of the SME Finance Forum , a global membership network that brings together financial institutions, technology companies, and development finance institutions to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of SMEs. “40 percent of small and medium businesses...
Covid-19
Jun 01, 2020
A group of more than 25 development finance institutions (DFIs) including IFC - International Finance Corporation is scaling up cooperation in response to COVID-19. They have committed to provide and mobilize billions of dollars of funding to help the private sector deliver critical healthcare supplies, ensure micro, small, and medium businesses...
Gender Finance
Covid-19
May 29, 2020
This evaluation report highlights an exhaustive situation of what Nigerien businesses are going through in general and more particularly those grouped within "emerging women" in particular since the COVID-19 was declared in late March in Niger. It is a real question of survival that is played out for these companies confronted as highlighted by...
Covid-19
May 21, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has so far spared Africa in terms of reported cases and casualties, yet the lockdowns in place have significantly hurt African economies. awamo , a digital, mobile banking platform, and credit bureau, specially designed for MFIs, has analyzed real-time transaction data of rural and semi-urban microfinance institutions from...
Digital Financial Services
May 19, 2020
Washington, D.C., May 19th, 2020 – nanopay Corporation became the newest member of the SME Finance Forum , a global membership network that brings together financial institutions, technology companies, and development finance institutions to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of SMEs. “40 percent of small and medium...
May 11, 2020
Last December, we invited Nick Ogden, founder of ClearBank and WorldPay, to our offices for a presentation about RTGS, and a new interbank network the company was developing, where the benefits of the real-time gross settlement are uniquely matched to real-time guaranteed liquidity. RTGS Limited was founded by Nick Ogden, the entrepreneur who, as...
Covid-19
May 07, 2020
Member Proparco and IFC have agreed to collaborate more closely to create markets, mobilize private sector investment, and support economic recovery in developing countries in the wake of the COVID-19 global crisis. The agreement addresses a full range of collaboration activities with an emphasis on three key areas. First, it details the approach...
Covid-19
May 01, 2020
Member CreditEnable launched the “We Move Forward” initiative designed to help SMEs keep their businesses safe during the COVID-19 crisis. Offering free financial health checks and access to working capital loans, CreditEnable plans to provide 600,000 SMEs with this free service over the next month. Speaking about the initiative, CreditEnable CEO...
Covid-19
Apr 29, 2020
Over a period of less than two weeks, since it was officially declared a pandemic by WHO, COVID-19 has disrupted lives and economies around the globe. According to a briefing issued by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the COVID-19 pandemic will likely shrink the global GDP by almost one percent in 2020. Countries have...
Gender Finance
Covid-19
Apr 27, 2020
Promoting good practices in women entrepreneur financing has always been an important focus of the SME Finance Forum. Financial inclusion for women has always been challenging, particularly in emerging and developing markets where women entrepreneurs have lower access to capital, which severely restricts their progress and ability to contribute to...
Gender Finance
Youth Entrepreneurship
Apr 20, 2020
The GPFI’s stocktaking of data available on financing for SMEs, both at the country level and at the client level of the major international development finance institutions, reveals serious gaps. Annual aggregate data is captured annually for only a minority of the world’s countries by the IMF, OECD, and others. Little if any data is available at...
Covid-19
Apr 17, 2020
SME Finance Forum members CRIF and Strands have joined forces in an exciting move to create a new provider of digital solutions for Open Banking. Earlier this month, it was announced that CRIF had acquired Strands, and we had the exclusive opportunity to talk to Enrico Lodi , CRIF’s General Manager, and Erik Brieva , Strands’ CEO, to discuss what...
Covid-19
Apr 17, 2020
In this unprecedented time of disruption to businesses, the World Bank launched, together with INSOL Intl, the Global Guide to Measures Adopted in Support of Distressed Businesses through the COVID-19 Crisis. Read more in these Guidance Notes: COVID-19 Outbreak: Capital Markets Implications and Response COVID-19 Outbreak: Insurance Implications...
Covid-19
Apr 14, 2020
Posted originally on The Banker website. Article by Lesly Goh , SME Finance Forum Senior Advisor, and former chief technology officer at the World Bank . Closer partnerships between governments and innovative companies will help our communities during and after the COVID-19 crisis, says the World Bank's Lesly Goh. It is a grim reality for small...
Covid-19
Apr 13, 2020
In this recent COVID-19 Notes prepared by the World Bank and IFC, contributed by Ghada Teima , Global Lead Financial Sector Specialist at IFC, you will read an assessment on the impact and policy responses in support of private-sector firms in the context of the pandemic. Summary While a COVID-19 outbreak will have a generalized impact on business...
Financial Education
Covid-19
Apr 07, 2020
The Department of the Treasury and Small Business Administration issued guidance for the Paycheck Protection Program. The guidance can be found here: Paycheck Protection Program – Interim Final Rule Assistance for American Workers and Families In the weeks immediately after the passage of the CARES Act, Americans will see fast and direct relief in...
Covid-19
Apr 03, 2020
Member: World Savings and Retail Banking Institute (WSBI) statement on COVID-19 Posted originally on https://www.wsbi-esbg.org/ Due to COVID-19, the financial industry will face an unprecedented challenge, and this may last for quite some time. A health pandemic was not on the cards and banks need to work together with authorities to avoid the...
Financial Education
Apr 03, 2020
In this publication, you will read about the SME Finance Forum highlights in 2019. Extract from the Foreword: The year 2019 has been a remarkable year for the SME Finance Forum — a year of continued, strong membership growth and effective delivery of member services. Since our launch in November 2015, we’ve grown from a few dozen committed early...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Mar 31, 2020
Washington, D.C., March 31th, 2020 – AB Bank Zambia became the newest member of the SME Finance Forum, a global membership network that brings together financial institutions, technology companies, and development finance institutions to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of SMEs. “40 percent of small and medium businesses...
Mar 30, 2020
Originally posted on the IFC Intranet on March 30th,2020 Strategy Analyst Khondoker Tanveer Haider spoke with Communications Consultant Gregory James Felder about the importance of youth engagement at IFC and launching the MSME Finance Competition. This is an edited version of their conversation. Q: Khondoker is an interesting name. What does it...
Fintech
Mar 30, 2020
CRIF signs agreement for the acquisition of 100% of Strands Inc. to create a worldwide digital solutions provider for Open Banking business. Already partners for financial management solutions, both companies have invested in advanced Open Banking and Digital Economy solutions. The combination between Strands and CRIF will create a strong...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Mar 27, 2020
Washington, D.C., March 27th, 2020 – SimpleCredit became the newest member of the SME Finance Forum, a global membership network that brings together financial institutions, technology companies, and development finance institutions to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of SMEs. “40 percent of small and medium businesses...
Digital Financial Services
Mar 26, 2020
In the spirit of #stayathome for COVID-19 response, member CashDirector has developed a very simple and pragmatic solution for MSMs, based on their Platform. DocTransfer is a platform for customers to enable a remote, secure exchange of invoices and documents with their accountant. Business owners do not need to endanger their own or the...
Mar 17, 2020
Dear Members and Friends, We stand with our global community to support good public health practices and while we ourselves work remotely, per world bank group policy, we will continue to serve our membership through virtual means. We are still proceeding with the preparation for our annual conference and immersion programs, as planned. We are...
Mar 11, 2020
The SME Finance Forum is proud to announce the launch of the third annual competition of the Global SME Finance Awards 2020 , an initiative that recognizes financial institutions and Fintech companies for their outstanding achievements in serving SME clients with exceptional products and services. Endorsed by the G20 Global Partnership for...
Mar 11, 2020
Washington, D.C., March 12th, 2020 – FCMB Group , First City Monument Bank Limited, became the newest member of the SME Finance Forum, a global membership network that brings together financial institutions, technology companies, and development finance institutions to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of SMEs. “40 percent...
Gender Finance
Mar 09, 2020
In 2019, the SME Finance Forum launched its second annual competition of the Global SME Finance Awards competition. The Global SME Finance Awards were created by IFC and the SME Finance Forum to celebrate the exceptional achievements of financial institutions and fintech companies in client delivery for SMEs. The awards are endorsed by the G20...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Mar 04, 2020
Washington, D.C., March 5th, 2020 – Lidya became the newest member of the SME Finance Forum, a global membership network that brings together financial institutions, technology companies, and development finance institutions to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of SMEs. “40 percent of small and medium businesses worldwide...
Digital Transformation
Mar 03, 2020
Washington, D.C., March 3rd, 2020 – Banking Circle has become the newest member of the SME Finance Forum, a global membership network that brings together financial institutions, technology companies, and development finance institutions to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of SMEs. “40 percent of small and medium businesses...
Guarantees
Mar 02, 2020
This report, prepared by the World Bank , seeks to enhance practitioners’ understanding of the potential role that capital markets can have in SME financing in EMDEs. The report reviews global experiences with the use of capital markets solutions and, more generally, of market-based solutions to expand SME financing with a view to identifying key...
Feb 25, 2020
Join us on on October 26-28, 2020 for our 2020 Global SME Finance Forum Conference , this year on our Virtual Edition . The theme of this year's Global SME Finance Forum is "SME Finance Outlook 2030" . To celebrate the new decade, we will look much further forward to imagine where we might be in SME financing a decade from now. Over 700 senior...
Digital Financial Services
Feb 25, 2020
Two SME Finance Forum Industry Partners, ACCIS (Association of Consumer Credit Information Suppliers), and FEBIS (Federation of Business Information Services), signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create a framework for co-operation to work on joint policy positions, outreach and joint promotions. Read more>
Digital Financial Services
Feb 20, 2020
Washington, D.C., February 20th, 2020 – WeBank became the newest member of the SME Finance Forum, a global membership network that brings together financial institutions, technology companies, and development finance institutions to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of SMEs. “40 percent of small and medium businesses...
Feb 12, 2020
To celebrate the new decade, this year’s Global SME Finance Forum will look much farther forward, to imagine where we might be in SME financing a decade from now. We will test the limits of our prescience by predicting how products, delivery channels, institutions and enabling environments might look 10 years from now. Following our practice of...
Feb 11, 2020
The future of financial services will be impacted deeply by the emergence of embedded finance: finance that promises to be more internet-like, more interconnected and more customizable, with novel components that can be inserted into individual businesses in different sectors. Read more about it in this white paper called Embedded Finance: The...
Guarantees
Feb 10, 2020
In this article published by ALIDE , prepared by Pablo Pombo, Horacio Molina, and Jesús N. Ramírez, the authors aim to provide a better understanding of the operation of guarantee schemes through their typology and their corresponding business models. When discussing guarantee coverage in favour of micro, small and medium enterprises, it would...
Feb 10, 2020
Washington, D.C., February 10th, 2020 – FinDev Canada became the newest member of the SME Finance Forum, a global membership network that brings together financial institutions, technology companies, and development finance institutions to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of SMEs. “40 percent of small and medium businesses...
Financial Education
Feb 05, 2020
Queen’s University is offering its cutting-edge program on Financial Institutions for Private Enterprise Growth (FIPEG) for professionals who wish to learn about the latest innovations and strategies in the area of small and medium enterprise (SME) finance. Based on international best practices, this two-week program provides professionals with...
Digital Transformation
Feb 05, 2020
Washington, D.C., February 5rd, 2020 – Tyme Global became the newest member of the SME Finance Forum, a global membership network that brings together financial institutions, technology companies, and development finance institutions to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of SMEs. “40 percent of small and medium businesses...
Equity
Feb 04, 2020
The EIF Working Paper 2020/062: The Business Angel portfolio under the European Angels Fund: An empirical analysis. This working paper, from member EIF, analyses the Business Angel (BA) portfolio of the European Angels Fund (EAF), which is an initiative of the European Investment Fund and engages in co-investment relationships with experienced...
Digital Financial Services
Feb 03, 2020
Member AlRaedah Finance and Geidea Solutions team up to provide POS financing across the Kingdom 31st January 2020 -- Riyadh -- AlRaedah Finance and Geidea Solutions today signed a collaboration agreement for providing Point of Sale (POS) financing to SME’s across the Kingdom. Representing AlRaedah Finance, Paul Melotto, AlRaedah CEO and Abdulaziz...
Digital Financial Services
Jan 29, 2020
The SME Finance Forum’s immersion visit to Wells Fargo , a member of the Forum, was successfully organized and held on January 22-23, 2020 in San Francisco, California with the participation of 12 representatives from seven institutions and five countries, namely BRAC Bank, Equity Bank, PhilipBank, PPCBank, Accion, Acremac, and Experian. I was...
Digital Financial Services
Jan 28, 2020
Washington, D.C., January 28th, 2020 – Fintech Group became the newest member of the SME Finance Forum, a global membership network that brings together financial institutions, technology companies, and development finance institutions to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of SMEs. “40 percent of small and medium businesses...
Trade Finance
Jan 27, 2020
A “Thought-Starter” Contribution on Trade Finance to the 2020 G20 Process On the occasion of the Saudi B20 Inception event, a new Business at OECD report released (available here ) highlights that trade finance, key to business trust in global trade activities, is a case in point for the need to make additional efforts to tackle regulatory...
Digital Financial Services
Fintech
Jan 14, 2020
Business Reporter, a UK based B2B media outlet are producing the ‘global Future of Banking & FinTech filmed thought leadership series’ in 2020, a series of interviews and on-location documentaries aimed at educating business owners globally on the innovation trends that are reshaping the way financial services are structured, provided and used...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Fintech
Jan 14, 2020
This note analyzes the evolution of Credit Information Systems, including the emergence of new technologies that use alternative data in credit decisioning and the opportunities and risks associated with these trends. This paper also predicts the potential development effect of these disruptive technologies and proposes a role for the World Bank...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Jan 13, 2020
Washington, D.C., January 13th, 2020 – Ipoteka Bank became the newest member of the SME Finance Forum, a global membership network that brings together financial institutions, technology companies, and development finance institutions to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of SMEs. “40 percent of small and medium businesses...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Jan 07, 2020
Washington, D.C., January 7th, 2020 – Creditinfo became the newest member of the SME Finance Forum, a global membership network that brings together financial institutions, technology companies, and development finance institutions to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of SMEs. “40 percent of small and medium businesses...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Jan 06, 2020
Washington, D.C., January 6, 2020 – Phongsavanh Bank became the newest member of the SME Finance Forum, a global membership network that brings together financial institutions, technology companies, and development finance institutions to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of SMEs. “40 percent of small and medium businesses...
Policy & Regulation
Dec 23, 2019
The Doing Business 2020 study, by the World Bank Group, shows that developing economies are catching up with developed economies in ease of doing business. This publication is the 17th in a series of annual studies investigating the regulations that enhance business activity and those that constrain it. Doing Business presents quantitative...
Policy & Regulation
Dec 10, 2019
The Financial Stability Board (FSB) published its final report on the Evaluation of the effects of financial regulatory reforms on small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) financing , following a public consultation earlier this year. The evaluation is motivated by the need to better understand the effects of the reforms on the financing of real...
Digital Transformation
Dec 03, 2019
Learn in this publication how member 4G Capital use machine learning technology to provide scalable credit services for individual clients in Kenya, where the MSME finance gap is over $19 bn, making it the largest in Eastern Africa. They were able to measure the impact of their working capital credit, and they saw customers increase their revenue...
Digital Financial Services
Nov 13, 2019
Washington, D.C., November 13, 2019 – Fractal Labs has joined the SME Finance Forum, a global membership network that brings together financial institutions, technology companies, and development finance institutions to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of SMEs. “40 percent of small and medium businesses worldwide struggle...
Policy & Regulation
Nov 06, 2019
This report is jointly produced by the World Bank and the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School. This study intends to understand the global regulatory landscape for alternative finance through the collation of empirical data from regulators, including securities regulators, capital markets...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Nov 05, 2019
IFC conducted the global SME Banking survey to better understand the challenges and trends SME banking operations experience in serving the small business segment in their countries. More than 110 SME Banking practitioners and leaders from around the world participated in the survey. The online survey launched in 2018 posed questions to understand...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Oct 22, 2019
The present study, presented in Brussels, analyses whether sharing more comprehensive data improves the functioning of credit markets in European countries. Assuming that mechanisms to share data do exist, does a higher comprehensiveness in the data collected matter for credit markets? The study answers this by firstly analysing whether higher...
Non Financial Services
Oct 21, 2019
This study of the Japanese model about the development of the Credit Guarantee System provides an in-depth analysis of the credit guarantee system behind the rise and sustainment of Japan’s economy, and explains how it can benefit Turkey. It outlines the credit guarantee system in Japan, which, in view of the author, the General Manager of SME...
Digital Financial Services
Oct 18, 2019
Youxin Financial provides personal financial services to customers around the world. The company is committed to using financial technology to provide innovative and financing solutions for micro and small businesses across China and contribute to the development of the real economy. In this publication, Youxin Financial shares an analysis of...
Non Financial Services
Oct 18, 2019
This Small Business Spotlight report by FinRegLab provides an overview of applied research based on data from six non-bank financial services providers, two of which are SME FInance Forum 's members — Accion , Kabbage , Brigit, LendUp, Oportun, and Petal—that have begun using cash-flow variables and scores in a bid to increase the provision of...
Financial Education
Oct 17, 2019
This report, by the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) , examines worldwide evidence of the contribution that the selfemployed and enterprises of different size classes make to total employment. A key finding is that, globally, the self-employed and micro- and small enterprises account...
Non Financial Services
Oct 17, 2019
This Guidebook , prepared by IFC , addresses the challenges and opportunities faced by SMEs at the various stages of their lifecycles, offering tailored corporate governance recommendations. It includes the Action Planning Tool to help SME owners, investors, and managers take a pragmatic approach to governance, as a means of strengthening their...
Oct 07, 2019
The SME Finance Forum works to expand access to finance for small and medium businesses. The Forum operates a global membership network that brings together financial institutions, technology companies, and development finance institutions to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of SMEs.
Financial Education
Sep 26, 2019
Queen Máxima of the Netherlands celebrates 10 years as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA). The UN released a video on Twitterof the Queen talking about the improvements in financial inclusion over the past ten years. “We have made great progress in financial inclusion in the last...
Digital Financial Services
Sep 12, 2019
Washington, D.C., September 12th, 2019 – ESAF Small Finance Bank became the newest member of the SME Finance Forum, a global membership network that brings together financial institutions, technology companies, and development finance institutions to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of SMEs. “200 million businesses...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Digital Financial Services
Sep 09, 2019
Member CreditEase, a Beijing-based leading FinTech conglomerate in China, announced today that its CreditEase FinTech Investment Fund (CEFIF), participated in the recent $10 million Series A funding round of Railsbank, a London-based Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform that promises to give technology companies access to financial services using...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Digital Financial Services
Digital Transformation
Sep 09, 2019
REGISTRATION OPEN NOW! Under the theme “The Convergence of the Real and Financial Sectors in SME Finance” , the Global SME Finance Forum 2019 will examine the different ways in which the real sector has entered the SME finance space, and the various ways in which financiers and regulators are coping with the “new kids on the block.” This year we...
Digital Financial Services
Sep 05, 2019
Washington, D.C., September 5th, 2019 – MIZA became the newest member of the SME Finance Forum, a global membership network that brings together financial institutions, technology companies, and development finance institutions to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of SMEs. “200 million businesses worldwide need financing to...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Aug 29, 2019
Washington, D.C., August 29th, 2019 – Kabbage has joined the SME Finance Forum, a global membership network that brings together financial institutions, technology companies, and development finance institutions to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of SMEs. “200 million businesses worldwide need financing to invest, grow and...
Gender Finance
Aug 19, 2019
According to a World Bank report “Profiting from Parity : Unlocking the Potential of Women's Business in Africa,” launched last March, women entrepreneurs make or are obliged to make different decisions than men because of gender-specific constraints. As a result, the report notes that, on average, women-owned firms post profits that are 34 %...
Aug 12, 2019
Credit Scoring in Financial Inclusion: How to use advanced analytics to build credit-scoring models that increase access. This guide emphasizes that the effectiveness of data analytics approaches often involves building a broader data-driven corporate culture. Publication by CGAP.
Aug 06, 2019
Washington, D.C., August 6th, 2019 – Alpha Bank Romania became the newest member of the SME Finance Forum, a global membership network that brings together financial institutions, technology companies, and development finance institutions to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of SMEs. “200 million businesses worldwide need...
Payments
Aug 02, 2019
The new IMF series "Fintech Notes" examines pressing topics in the digital economy. The Rise of Digital Money analyses how technology companies are stepping up competition to large banks and credit card companies. Digital forms of money are increasingly in the wallets of consumers as well as in the minds of policymakers. Cash and bank deposits are...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Jul 30, 2019
Washington, D.C., July 29th, 2019 – INBONIS RATING became the newest member of the SME Finance Forum, a global membership network that brings together financial institutions, technology companies, and development finance institutions to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of SMEs. “200 million businesses worldwide need...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Jul 29, 2019
The Empirical Research Findings report provides a detailed summary of our applied research based on data from six non-bank financial services providers, two of which are SME Finance Forum's members – Accion , Kabbage , Brigit, LendUp, Oportun, and Petal – that have begun using cash-flow variables and scores in an effort to increase the provision...
Digital Transformation
Jul 29, 2019
In recent years, Latin America has joined the worldwide Fintech revolution, creating innovation and start-up ecosystems that permit the development of new technology start-ups offering highly innovative products and financial services. Many studies have reflected the fervor currently felt in the Fintech sector in the Latin America and the...
Financial Education
Gender Finance
Jul 26, 2019
This year, the Group of Seven (G7) outlined an agenda to fight inequality. As part of this agenda, the G7 Partnership for Women’s Digital Financial Inclusion in Africa will support African governments, central banks, and financial institutions in their efforts to build more inclusive, sustainable, and responsible digital financial systems,...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Jul 24, 2019
The European Banking Authority (EBA) published the findings of its analysis on the regulatory framework applicable to FinTech firms when accessing the market. The Report illustrates the developments on the regulatory perimeter across the EU, the regulatory status of FinTech firms, and the approaches followed by competent authorities when granting...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Jul 23, 2019
Published annually, this report, in its 8th edition, documents trends in access to different types of finance for SMEs and entrepreneurs, financing conditions and government policy initiatives in this area. It was prepared by Kris Boschmans and Lora Pissareva, Policy Analysts, OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities, SME and...
Digital Transformation
Jul 16, 2019
This research, by The Mastercard Foundation Partnership for Finance in a Digital Africa, collected information from 27 micro-entrepreneurs in Kenya about how they use platforms (from social media sites to ecommerce marketplaces and online freelancing websites) in their day-to-day business. The platform practices these conversations revealed...
Jul 09, 2019
Member Mastercard and ING Turkey have partnered to allow MSMEs to use their android smart phones as POS devices. In order to accept card payments through their mobile devices, merchants have to be ING customers and will need to download ING application.
Digital Transformation
Jul 09, 2019
The MSME sector is the backbone of Nigeria’s economy. Studies by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) show that approximately 96% of Nigerian businesses are Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Thanks to digital technology, it is worth noting that ecommerce platforms have so far played a key role in boosting and accelerating MSMEs...
Non Financial Services
Sustainable Finance
Digital Transformation
Jun 25, 2019
Blockchain has the potential to impact many industries, including financial services, so the Boston Fed sought to understand its foundational technology with first-hand research. They wanted practical experience, the kind only trial and error can bring. “Beyond Theory: Getting Practical With Blockchain” goes beyond the basics of distributed ledger...
Non Financial Services
Jun 03, 2019
The members of the SME Finance Forum now have access to a member-only portal available through our main website! On that new space, members can explore exclusive content such as event proceedings, webinar write-ups, publications and blogs. The intranet is the perfect space to explore more in-depth all the knowledge products we have compiled for...
Gender Finance
Sustainable Finance
Digital Transformation
Apr 18, 2019
IFC invested $75 million in a Gender Bond issued by Turkey’s Garanti Bank (a SME Finance Forum member). IFC details the story of how and why the investment with Garanti was a bold one. The bank, which is known in the market for its commitment to access to finance for women, is the first private sector bank in the world to launch a gender bond...
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Credit Risk & Scoring
Digital Transformation
Apr 04, 2019
Radoslav Albrecht is the Founder and CEO of Bitbond, a global lending platform for small business loans. The SME Finance Forum member, leverages blockchain technology to connect creditworthy borrowers with individual and institutional investors. Recently, Anthony Manfre interviewed Radoslav to learn more about how Bitbond is leading innovation in...
Non Financial Services
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Credit Risk & Scoring
Digital Financial Services
Digital Transformation
Mar 18, 2019
Capgemini and LinkedIn, in collaboration with Efma, developed the World FinTech Report 2018 based on a global survey encompassing responses from traditional financial services firms and FinTech firms including banking and lending, payments and transfers, investment management, and insurance. Questions sought to yield perspectives from both FinTech...
Non Financial Services
Policy & Regulation
Credit Risk & Scoring
Digital Financial Services
Digital Transformation
Mar 13, 2019
The SME Finance Forum LinkedIn provides an opportunity for financial experts to view the latest news, reports, data and discussions regarding the SME finance field. The group is comprised of more than 11,000 bank executives, investors, advisory service providers and financial technology experts, who share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote...
Financial Education
Non Financial Services
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Mar 01, 2019
Remarkably, a small fraction of firms account for most of the job and output creation in high-income and developing countries alike. Does this imply that the path to enabling more economic dynamism lies in selectively targeting high-potential firms? Or would pursuing broad-based reforms that minimize distortions be more effective? Inspired by...
Financial Education
Gender Finance
Rural & Agriculture Finance
Youth Entrepreneurship
Feb 27, 2019
Open data is data that is made available for anyone to access, use and share. With more access to open data, people can help shape a more sustainable future with evidence-based solutions, contributing at the same time to a more transparent decision-making. But to reach the full potential of open data, it must be available to and used by all. Read...
Financial Education
Gender Finance
Governance
Policy & Regulation
Jan 28, 2019
This state of practice report identifies and describes 74 government initiatives in the Savings Group sector across 20 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa – related to financial inclusion, social protection, women’s empowerment, and sector regulation and coordination. The purpose of the report is to support the further development of public policy and...
Financial Education
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Youth Entrepreneurship
Payments
Dec 14, 2018
Here is one of three Field Notes from the Partnership for Financial Inclusion, a joint initiative of IFC and the Mastercard Foundation, to help DFS providers to tailor products and services to particular market segments as they shed new light on two particular market segments, youth and women, as well as the potential for digitizing social...
Financial Education
Non Financial Services
Sustainable Finance
Dec 07, 2018
While alternative dispute resolution has exploded in popularity for larger businesses, it hasn’t found its way to the MSME community. As a friend in the arbitration business said recently, “micro businesses couldn’t afford the coffee at most arbitration centers.” But the emerging field of online dispute resolution, or ODR, promises to change the...
Financial Education
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Policy & Regulation
Nov 21, 2018
Tips and tools are revealed on how SMEs should approach seeking finance along with strategies to improve their success with gaining finance. Utilizing online resources and guides can help SMEs learn more about alternative finance options. “Industry associations such as the Federation of Small Businesses and Enterprise Nation, as well as local...
Financial Education
Oct 28, 2018
SME Finance Forum member, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will invest US $50 million a year towards, tourism, infrastructure, transportation, ports, roads, as well as in the financial sector projects in Jamaica. The investment is through IDB’s invest arm, according to the article, IDB Invest. “This latest expanded financial framework from...
Non Financial Services
Gender Finance
Governance
Oct 23, 2018
A continuation of MicroSave’s research on developing financial services for women was released this month. The publication details areas such as, microfinance, digital financial services, direct benefit transfers, MSMEs and agent networks. Information surrounding what financial service providers (FSPs) lack notice of when creating financial...
Non Financial Services
Fintech
Oct 18, 2018
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank and SME Finance Forum member, Ant Financial Services Group (Ant Financial), operator of Alipay, have collaborated to offer 10X1000 Tech for Inclusion Programme. The initiative is aimed to increase support for tech leaders working to eliminate poverty and provide basic...
Equity
Gender Finance
Sustainable Finance
Oct 05, 2018
SME Finance Forum member, Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) has collaborated with the and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group to launch the first gender-focused fund for Latin America and the Caribbean. The investment, ‘Fund Mujer’ is for up to $200 million and will be made up of 30 percent debt and 70 percent equity,...
Non Financial Services
Gender Finance
Sep 14, 2018
Itaú Unibanco will provide a online course entitled, “Plano de crescimento: como transformar negócios em sucesso,” (Growth plan: how to turn business into success) to support women entrepreneurs. In partnership with the IFC and EDUK, a widely known learning platform in Brazil, Itaú Unibanco will develop and provide the course for free, according...
Non Financial Services
Gender Finance
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Policy & Regulation
Credit Risk & Scoring
Sep 11, 2018
The Future of Business Survey in collaboration with Member World Bank, Facebook and OECD provides monthly data on the economic environment for SMEs around the world. Key findings in the publication included: In nearly every country and region, women report using bank loans less frequently than men do, instead relying on personal savings and...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Sep 05, 2018
Lack of credit data is one of the major obstacles to individuals and MSMEs financing in developing countries. Despite the insufficient credit data, MSMEs and individuals generate vast amounts of non-credit digitized data daily. MSMEs and individuals are leaving vast digital footprints and data trails on mobile and online payments platforms, social...
Financial Education
Non Financial Services
Policy & Regulation
Aug 23, 2018
A special report, Fintech for Social Good, has been released as a follow-up to the Financial Inclusion in the Developing World 2018 Q2 report by Deep Knowledge Analytics. The report is focusesd on the following key elements as it relates to non-commercial activities: The work being done by non-profits, governmental organizations, NGOs and...
Sustainable Finance
Payments
Jul 18, 2018
With over one million units sold in the last five years and over 50,000 units installed each month, the PAYGo model makes solar affordable for end-users and provides sufficient margin for providers to scale last-mile distribution. However, for the model to succeed PAYGo operators must retain customers and build a base of loyal and engaged...
Gender Finance
Policy & Regulation
Credit Risk & Scoring
Digital Financial Services
Payments
Jul 17, 2018
Industry Partner GBA for Women says that digital solutions for product distribution are rapidly increasing banks’ ability to reach the unbanked – a segment disproportionately made up of women. During the recent All-Stars Academy in South Africa, GBA heard from two of its members who are making huge strides in this area: Diamond Bank of Nigeria -...
Non Financial Services
Youth Entrepreneurship
Policy & Regulation
Jun 29, 2018
Leading retail bank, Diamond Bank Plc has once again demonstrated its passion for supporting small businesses by rewarding finalists of the seventh season of the Building Entrepreneurs Today (BET) programme with N15million grant. Ikenna Ubah, Tope Alake, Jumoke Dada, Bayo Ojelabi and Osagie Azeta emerged winners of the grants having displayed...
Non Financial Services
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Payments
May 25, 2018
Nielsen and Alipay jointly issued the 2017 Survey: Outbound Chinese Tourism and Consumption Trends, which details how Chinese tourists pay for products in services and their behaviors in making such decisions. Ninety-nine percent of Chinese respondents have the Alipay app installed on their phones. The survey found that discounts and payment...
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Credit Risk & Scoring
Payments
May 02, 2018
The ABA survey was conducted to review the digital lending landscape, specifically to gauge member interest in two different types of business models: Technology partnership—Implementing digital lending technologies to offer a digital customer experience to originate, underwrite to bank guidelines, and close small business and consumer loans...
Apr 12, 2018
The Marketplace will provide an opportunity for financial institutions and other Africa SME Finance Forum participants to have 15-minute one-on-one introductory meetings with investors, advisory service providers and financial technology companies. Follow those four simple steps to request a meeting: Download the ‘SME Finance' App for free from...
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Credit Risk & Scoring
Digital Transformation
Apr 06, 2018
Digital lending can be a powerful force for financial inclusion. Innovations in digital lending are enabling financial service providers (FSPs) to offer better products to more underserved clients in faster, more cost-efficient, and engaging ways. Governments are increasingly incentivizing the growth of digital lending models as a way to promote...
Digital Financial Services
Digital Transformation
Apr 05, 2018
The Africa SME Finance Forum 2018 will examine the key challenges faced by MSMEs in Africa, and explore innovative local and global best practice solutions to promote youth entrepreneurship and enhance access to financing for MSMEs. The TechPitch will be held in the afternoon of May 15, and will provide an opportunity for innovative fintechs to...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Digital Financial Services
Digital Transformation
Apr 01, 2018
The Africa SME Finance Forum 2018 will examine the key challenges faced by MSMEs in Africa, and explore innovative local and global best practice solutions to promote youth entrepreneurship and enhance access to financing for MSMEs. The Marketplace, an exclusive opportunity for B2B introductory meetings, had over 100 participants at the Global SME...
Financial Education
Policy & Regulation
Credit Risk & Scoring
Feb 14, 2018
A joint report by IFC and the SME Finance Forum, has found that 65 million enterprises, or 40 percent of formal micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) in developing countries, have an unmet finance need of $5.2 trillion a year. This gap is larger than previously estimated. The results were presented at the Global SME Finance Forum held in...
Financial Education
Islamic Banking
Feb 05, 2018
This PPIAF-funded report aims to discuss and disseminate information on how Islamic finance has been applied in infrastructure projects through PPP schemes, what the structural challenges and solutions are, and what can be done to deepen and maximize the use of Islamic finance for this purpose. This report has two broad dimensions. The first is to...
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Credit Risk & Scoring
Feb 02, 2018
BANKNXT's Jason Bates interviews Rishi Khosla, CEO of OakNorth, for this Fintech Insider video, the under-the-radar fintech unicorn in the SME lending space. They discuss OakNorth’s origin story, how they reached profitability within 24 months, the social impact of the SME lending space, and what the future holds for this little-big company with...
Non Financial Services
Sustainable Finance
Jan 05, 2018
The SAP Business Partnership Study shows that three out of four small and midsize enterprises (SMEs) see IT and technology vendors not just as an external resource but as vital to their business. More and more technology vendors are being used by business leaders for consultation (76 percent), for insight and advice (79 percent) and to anticipate...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Dec 20, 2017
Twenty-four percent of UK SMEs believe that banks have failed to change the way they behave since the global financial crisis in 2008. The survey of UK SMEs from CivilisedBank, the new UK business bank with a Local Banker network, also reveals that over half (55%) of those surveyed believe that it is not a priority for banks to act in a ‘civilised...
Credit Risk & Scoring
Dec 20, 2017
Financial Inclusion Week is a week of global conversation on the most important steps to advance financial inclusion. This year, stakeholders explored how new products and partnerships are empowering customers. Building on the momentum, SME Finance Forum member, Mambu, shared stories of their clients who have gone digital to inspire organisations...
Non Financial Services
Sustainable Finance
Digital Financial Services
Dec 19, 2017
Financial Inclusion Week is a week of global conversation on the most important steps to advance financial inclusion. This year, stakeholders explored how new products and partnerships are empowering customers. Building on the momentum, SME Finance Forum member, Mambu, shared stories of their clients who have gone digital to inspire organisations...
Financial Education
Islamic Banking
Dec 13, 2017
SME Finance Forum member The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) has entered into an agreement with BSIC Niger to finance SMEs in Niger. Khaled Al-Aboodi CEO of ICD and Abakar Adoum, Managing Director of BSIC, signed the Line of financing agreement for the amount of 9 million euro under the Wakala structure or...