Women-SMEs (W-SMEs) disproportionately lack access to traditional credit facilities through banks and other traditional lenders compared to their male counterparts. There is also limited gender disaggregated supply side credit data on SME borrowers. This information asymmetry has paved the way for identifying new approaches to filling gender data gaps, including the use of alternative data in lending operations and impact assessment. In many markets, lenders are finding new ways of accelerating offerings to underserved individuals and businesses, utilizing alternative data. For women, who have historically been the victims of unconscious bias in lending decisions, leveraging alternative data in credit operations could create a level playing field and facilitate access to gender disaggregated data for financial services and policy interventions.

 

The adoption of alternative data comes with various challenges and concerns that need to be addressed for it to be effectively leveraged. However, access to credit for W-SMEs and individuals can be enhanced and expanded by promoting the use of alternative data.  

 

During our next session, on December 1st from 8 a.m. to 9.30 a.m. EST, volunteers from the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) will share experiences from work with partner financial institutions (PFIs) in utilizing alternative data in credit operations and impact evaluation. They will dive deep into the opportunities alternative data presents to closing the financing gap for W-SMEs.

 

Objectives of the discussion

• Share experiences on alternative approaches in lending operations of W-SMEs 

• Insights on alternative approaches in Impact Evaluations

• Deep dive into challenges and possible approaches to fill gender data gaps

• Regulatory Requirements and Policy interventions 

• Cultural and Systemic Barriers impacting W-SMEs

• Facilitate participants contribution in sharing unique experience and solutions 

 

 

Volunteer:

Isabelle Brun, Head of Strategic Development & Special Topics, Council of Europe Development Bank

 

Being a CoP, member participants will also be encouraged to share their own unique experiences in this area, including achievements and questions they are now asking on the topics below:

 

Registration is open for members on Member's portal.