Many of us know post offices around the world as places to send mail, but we also have this impression that these are “old school” state-run institutions without much innovation. In a few countries, like France and Japan, people’s perceptions about the post office are quite different as postal networks have undertaken major transformations into something much more than places that deliver mail. This slow transformation of postal networks is taking place around the world as they are increasingly leveraging their branch networks and other assets to expand on their financial services role. In many countries, they are emerging as important gateways for financial inclusion of the world’s poor. This blog will share a few things you may not already know about postal networks.