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Supply & Value Chain Finance
The supply chain finance industry is evolving rapidly, driven by factors such as trade policy uncertainties and the need for Supply Chain Finance (SCF) solutions in a changing trade landscape. Efforts are underway to support SMEs through SCF, simplify processes, and increase awareness. Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations are gaining importance, with stakeholders agreeing on sustainability KPIs. Regulatory challenges, digitisation of international trade, technological innovations like AI and cloud technology, and collaborative approaches are shaping the industry’s future, indicating a dynamic and transformative landscape. The BCR will hold its Annual Supply Chain Finance Summit on January 29th and 30th...Read more
Supply & Value Chain Finance
REGIONAL CONFERENCE Supporting SMEs within the Financial Supply Chain through Traditional & Reverse Factoring 25-26 February 2025 | Coral Gables, Miami, USARead more
Digital Finance Developments offers insights into timely topics in digital finance. This edition examines new efforts to coordinate AI policy across jurisdictions and the creation of new venues for this work, as policymaker focus shifts toward international cooperation. This piece explores how: Governments and international organizations have recognized the urgency of streamlining their approaches to AI safety, reflected in recent joint communiques, prompting tangible efforts at international collaboration. AI safety institutes (AISIs) are becoming a crucial mechanism for harmonizing safety standards and building consensus around the definition of safe AI; a newly established network of institutes will be crucial to...Read more
Creative Industries (CI) use culture and creativity as the main inputs to produce functional outputs with commercial value. They have a multidimensional development impact and directly contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. The global Creative Industries sector generates nearly $2.25 trillion/year (UNESCO) and represent up to 2-7% of GDP where they are most developed and provides employment to 29.5 million people globally, especially for youth and women (largest global industry employing youth). Creator economy is the driver of a new generation of innovators, redefining industries like fashion, finance, technology, entertainment, food, wellness, social good. Topics: The webinar will focus on...Read more
Digital Financial Services
Featuring Global SME Finance Awards Platinum Winners G ain I nsights from Three Awardees and G et R eady to A pply fo r the 2025 Awards ***************** The Global SME Finance Awards Since its launch in 2018, t he Awards recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements of financial service providers in delivering exceptional products and services to scale SME finance in their respective markets. It provides an opportunity for institutions to highlight and share good practices, impact, knowledge, and be recognized amongst the global peer group of world leaders in SME finance and services. LEARN MORE ...Read more
Digital Financial Services
Welcome to our latest blog post where we delve into the fascinating world of SME banking. During our latest webinar on November 25, we invited Paolo Sironi to share some of the key findings from IBM's Institute for Business Value (IBV)’s recent study, which features contributions from the SME Finance Forum. Together with four banking executives from Nubank (Brasil), Starling Bank (UK), Wema Bank (Nigeria), and Intesa Sanpaolo (Italy) – invited to comment on IBV report’s results - we learned how banks need to understand and integrate into the SME ecosystem. IBV’s innovative research approach The study involved interviews with...Read more
Alternative Financing
This Innovation Hub is a supportive and innovative community of SME finance professionals dedicated to expanding access to finance for SMEs through digital transformation . The Hub focuses on : Managing the risk of disruptive technologies ( Artificial intelligence and Machine learning) Making successful partnerships with digital enablers Navigating digital regulation (open banking) Improving c ustomer experience and SME digitalization Promoting embedded finance Deploying alternative data and big data analytics The Digital and Embedded Finance Innovation Hub will be holding its second Solutions Clinic at 8.00am EST on Wednesday January 29 , 2025 . Our solutions clinics are member-only interactive, roundtable-style...Read more
Digital Transformation
November 2024 Highlights Open finance is a financial innovation that facilitates customer-permissioned access to and use of customer data held by financial institutions to provide new and enhanced services and develop innovative business models. Open finance frameworks can spur innovation, improve competition, enhance customer empowerment, and foster financial inclusion. However, open finance can also pose new or enhanced risks and requires careful design and adequate safeguards. As a growing number of countries consider, design, or implement open finance frameworks, CGAP, BIS, IMF, UNSGSA, and the World Bank offer key considerations for designing an inclusive open finance framework that reaches and...Read more
FINANCING
Each month we are running sessions featuring leading small business lenders and SME growth facilitators who present their MSMEs offerings in a 7-minute pitch to an audience of potential financial institution clients and partners looking for impactful fintech solutions. Through those sessions - run by the SME Finance Forum and powered by IFC - we foster collaboration between financial institutions, fintech companies, development finance institutions and investors. We have featured 130+ companies active in many different markets, attracted +2000 participants and generated many business leads, leading to investments, partnerships,...Read more
Sustainable Finance
The Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector in Pakistan plays a pivotal role in the national economy, contributing approximately 40% to GDP and providing employment to millions. Despite its significance, the sector faces numerous challenges that hinder its growth and development. Key barriers include limited access to finance, complex documentation requirements, low adoption of technology, and restricted market access. According to a World Bank report, only 7 percent of SMEs in Pakistan have access to formal financing, which severely limits their potential to grow. Traditional banking systems have often fallen short of addressing the specific needs of SMEs, relying heavily...Read more
Sustainable Finance
Rejoignez-nous pour un webinar captivant avec Laetitia Hamon, Responsable de la Finance Durable à la Bourse de Luxembourg (LuxSE), la principale plateforme mondiale dans ce domaine. Aux côtés de Mahamadi Balima, Responsable de la finance durable pour l’AMF-UMOA et modérateur du webinar, elle vous entraînera dans une discussion inspirante sur le rôle crucial de la finance durable pour la résilience et la croissance du continent africain. Ce webinar est également une chance d’en apprendre davantage sur les produits, les taxonomies et les régulations qui façonnent cette révolution économique vers un avenir durable et inclusif. Que vous soyez acteur du secteur...Read more
Financial Education
10 Years of Leadership Excellence - Registration Now Open for the 2025 GABV Leadership Academy Dear GABV members, We are excited to announce the 10th edition of the GABV Leadership Academy —a milestone in shaping resilient leaders in values-based banking! Registrations are now open until 5 December 2024. This year’s programme, ' Resilience in the Face of Polycrisis ,' is designed to equip senior professionals with the leadership capacity and personal development tools to drive change in an increasingly complex world. The programme runs from February to May 2025 , featuring four engaging online sessions and a 5.5-day in-person retreat...Read more
While there are many challenges for SMEs, there are important steps SMEs can take to build resilience, including improvements in financial literacy to navigate uncertainty. Business decisions can be challenging for SMEs if they fail to identify key metrics to measure performance and report relevant data to financial service providers. This hub will discuss how to help SMEs improve financial understanding and awareness, get relevant business advice and effectively manage liquidity and debt. On the other end, members will also tackle how financial service providers can improve their own understanding of digital disruptions in financial services so they can implement...Read more
Agrifinance plays a very significant role in providing crucial access to capital for farmers and SME agribusinesses, allowing them to invest in necessary equipment, land, and seeds, enabling them to enhance their productivity, yields, and grow their operations and income. Due to the inherent uncertainties in agriculture, especially volatile weather patterns, unpredictable crop yields, unstable commodity prices, and access to input and output markets, which can considerably impact on the ability of farmers and agribusinesses to repay loans, creating the perception of a high-risk investment for lenders, particularly banks, compared to other sectors. This upcoming innovation hub on agrifinance, scheduled...Read more
Sustainable Finance
Join us for the 17th GABV Annual Meeting March 10-13, 2025 - Kampala, Uganda This exclusive event is designed for CEOs, Governing Board members and senior executives from the GABV network, offering a unique opportunity to connect, collaborate, and chart the future of values-based banking. Our host, Centenary Bank, is a pioneer in inclusive finance and Uganda’s leading values-based commercial microfinance bank. With 3 million customers, Centenary Bank is the largest majority Ugandan-owned bank and a powerful example of inclusive finance that fosters sustainable development and economic resilience. Throughout the meeting, participants will explore how banks can lead the way...Read more
Financial Inclusion
Sustainable Finance
Digital Transformation
Join us from 26–28 February 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa, for the 5th Finance in Common Summit (FiCS), co-hosted by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). The 2025 summit will unite global leaders, public development banks, the private sector, and philanthropies to reimagine and reshape sustainable finance.
FiCS 2025, themed “Fostering Infrastructure and Finance for Just and Sustainable Growth,” serves as a global platform for over 2,000 changemakers dedicated to creating a greener, more inclusive world. The event will address key challenges through three core pillars: Inclusive Finance : Promoting...Read more
Digital Financial Services
IMF Releases the 2024 Financial Access Survey Results October 30, 2024 Washington, DC: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) released the results of the 2024 Financial Access Survey (FAS), marking the 15th anniversary of the FAS. The report “FAS: 2024 Highlights,” published along with the data release, summarizes the key trends on access to and usage of financial services over the past few years. Established in 2009, the FAS has played a crucial role in providing essential data to develop and evaluate financial inclusion policies, a topic of key relevance for the IMF, as it fosters broader economic participation, reduces inequalities,...Read more
Digital Transformation
19-20 November | City of London, UK TOGETHER WE DRIVE BANKING MODERNISATION Financial institutions worldwide are facing a pivotal point. The need to streamline, integrate and scale digital solutions and emerging technologies has shifted from being a long-term goal to an urgent and strategic priority to remain competitive. Driven by the financial sector’s digital transformation, the global adoption of the BIAN standard has reached a similar critical juncture. Today BIAN is recognised by the global industry ecosystem as the key tool to enable the modernisation of banking operations. The BIAN Banking Summit is where the industry comes together to supercharge...Read more
Governance
Washington D.C, Nov 11, 2024 – Nepal Bankers’ Association , an Umbrella Organisation of all 'A' Class Commercial Banks of Nepal has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest affiliate. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “SME Finance Forum proudly welcomes the global learning platform. It is with great pleasure I welcome Nepal Bankers’ Association to SME Finance Forum which is in line with our strategy of...Read more
Digital Transformation
Fintech
A follow-up series of Banking for small and medium enterprises by IBM Institute for Business Value Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) form the backbone of the global economy, representing 90% of all firms, employing approximately 70% of the world’s workforce, and contributing 50% to global GDP.* Despite their significance, SMEs face many challenges that demand innovative banking solutions. Banks and neobanks are responding with new business strategies and tech-led innovation. The IBM Institute for Business Value (IIBV) invited 10 financial institution executives to discuss their strategic perspectives on how banks compete in diverse, dynamic SME markets. Banca Intesa...Read more
Financial Inclusion
Washington D.C, Nov 1, 2024 – 10x1000 Tech for Inclusion , an open and global learning platform has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest affiliate. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “SME Finance Forum proudly welcomes the global learning platform. It is with great pleasure I welcome 10x1000 Tech for Inclusion to SME Finance Forum which is in line with our strategy of to help emerging...Read more
![Supply Chain Finance Innovation Hub - [Solutions Clinic]](https://smefinanceforum.org/sites/default/files/SCF%20Innovation%20Page%20Image_0.png "Supply Chain Finance Innovation Hub - [Solutions Clinic]")
Supply & Value Chain Finance
The Supply Chain Finance Innovation Hub develops a supportive and innovative community of SME finance professionals dedicated to expanding access to financing for SMEs through Supply Chain Financing solutions. The Community focuses on (i) supporting members in problem solving and achieving scale in SCF solutions through sharing of industry best practices, (ii) Synergizing expertise within the SCF Innovation Hub community while integrating industry level expertise, (iii) Supporting forward looking innovation, pilots, and content development. The SME Supply Chain Finance Innovation Hub will be holding its second Solutions Clinic at 8.00am EST on Wednesday November 20. Our solutions clinics are member-only...Read more
Supply & Value Chain Finance
Accelerating SME Access to Finance through E-Invoicing and Credit Infrastructure Join us for an insightful webinar on how e-invoicing and credit infrastructure reforms are revolutionizing access to finance for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Adoption of e-invoicing is increasing rapidly, driven by the digitization of business processes and, in some markets, by government mandates. Digital invoice repositories, whether third-party platforms or government-operated systems, are forming part of the essential Digital Public Infrastructure, that not only enhance business operations and tax compliance but also significantly improve access to finance for SMEs. Expert presenters will cover: Credit infrastructure that enables leveraging e-invoices...Read more
Digital Transformation
A white paper outlining one of Mastercard's Point of View (POVs) on SMEs. Many entrepreneurs eventually outgrow their small business roots to become middle market firms. This fast-growing, resilient sector of the global economy, employing 50 to 250 employees, is responsible for a large portion of commercial spending — $24.2 trillion in B2B spend in 2022. As they scale, however, their ambition to digitize, automate and streamline operations is largely unfulfilled. In partnership with banks, Fintechs and other players, we are helping our stakeholders identify those needs in detail and outlines a multi-pronged approach for banks and Fintechs to position...Read more
Digital Transformation
A recent research paper by the IBM Institute for Business Value, the SME Finance Forum, and the Banking Industry Architecture Network sheds light on the challenges facing SMEs in accessing adequate financial support. The Banking for Small and Medium Enterprises: Serving the World Economy with Data and AI report shares insights and analysis resulting from a global survey of SME business owners and managers with 50 or more employees, senior banking executives and fintech leaders. The study reveals that the global banking industry's preoccupation with risk mitigation, regulatory obligations, and cost containment...Read more
This global event is a premier opportunity for our members and partners in Asia and surrounding regions, and those coming from far away, to engage with industry leaders, exchange insights, and contribute to shaping the future of finance and technology. As a Knowledge Partner of the SFF, the SME Finance Forum is excited to offer a 20% discount for you— use the link above on the members portal . We are committed to driving innovative solutions to improve access to financial services for SMEs, building on the key themes of AI, digitization, and sustainability discussed at our recent Global SME...Read more
TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
Join us for an exclusive webinar, "Spotlight on Innovation: SME Finance Leaders 2024," where we recognize and celebrate the trailblazers in SME finance. This event will showcase the remarkable achievements of some of our platinum winners who have made significant impacts in the industry. Event Highlights: Discover the innovative solutions and best practices that have set these winners apart in categories such as Best Financier for Women Entrepreneurs, Product Innovation of the Year, SME Financier of the Year, and Sustainable Bond of the Year. This session is a unique opportunity to gain insights from the winners and...Read more
Sustainable Finance
As the world faces the urgent challenge of climate change, financial institutions, especially Public Development Banks (PDBs), are crucial in helping Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) transitioning to a low-carbon economy. This publication reviews the different solutions offered by 16 Public Development Banks (PDBs) to support the decarbonization of SMEs . The paper also analyzes how PDBs measure the impact of their solutions . Interviewed institutions include: Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (Brazil), Bpifrance (France), British Business Bank (United Kingdom), Business Development Bank of Canada (Canada), Development Bank of Nigeria (Nigeria), Finnvera (Finland), Nacional Financiera (Mexico), Saudi Industrial...Read more
Fintech
October 2024 Highlights: Inclusive fintech startups are early-stage, venture-backed enterprises creating innovative credit products for microenterprises in emerging markets, which holds great promise for the future of microenterprise finance. In this note, we highlight strategies employed by fintech startups that benefit microenterprises via three core innovations: improved use of data and analysis innovations; channel partnerships for reach and distribution that increase convenience for microenterprises; and tailored pricing and loan terms that better match loans to microenterprises' cash flows to limit repayment pressure and risk of over-indebtedness. This focus note features a range of case studies based on CGAP’s work piloting...Read more
Fintech
By: Tommy Felts - October 04, 2024 Sandy Kemper, founder and CEO of C2FO, speaks during a panel conversation at the 2024 SME Finance Forum in São Paulo, Brazil; photo courtesy of C2FO C2FO would’ve been profitable in the US alone, CEO says; how solving for global needs made it an even stronger fintech leader T he impact of one Kansas City-built fintech company is being felt far beyond the borders of the U.S., said Sandy Kemper, detailing how C2FO’s strategy to go global...Read more
Trade Finance
Policy & Regulation
Business Ready (B-READY) 2024 report assesses the regulatory framework and public services directed at firms, and the efficiency with which regulatory framework and public services are combined in practice.Read more
Financial Inclusion
26 practical sessions with 40 expert speakers, talks with leaders, policy recommendations, concrete solutions and microfinance networking, Social Finance Vibe: Leadership and Diversity , organized by our partner – Microfinance Center , is the must-attend fall learning event for all social economy professionals and enthusiasts, taking place virtually on 29–30 October . This year’s agenda is divided into three main tracks: Social Economy, Client Diversity and Mega Trends. Key experts in the field will dive into the latest trends in the social economy, including green initiatives and digital innovations and participate in dedicated sessions focused on serving diverse...Read more
KoreFusion Consulting
KoreFusion Consulting is a boutique strategy consulting and investment bank exclusively focused on payments and fintechs.
InvoSoko Africa
InvoSoko Africa aim to facilitate closing the USD 75 billion Supply Chain Finance funding gap faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sub-saharan Africa. InvoSoko Africa will achieve this via technology and a new approach, providing a more efficient allocation of resources and fair access to capital. lnvoSoko Africa has adopted innovative and disruptive processes aimed at increasing visibility for SMEs in the region. To revolutionize the way SMEs thrive in the digital era by sying goodbye to invisibility.
Sustainable Finance
Washington, D.C., October 1, 2024 - The World Bank Group and partners have launched the “ Sustainable Finance Knowledge Center for Francophone Africa ” today. A first preview of the center was presented two weeks ago at the annual Global Meeting of the SME Finance Forum in Brazil. This virtual platform, available in both English and French, is designed to equip companies and financial institutions across Francophone Africa with the knowledge and skills necessary to accelerate the transition toward sustainable finance and business models. The Center aims to...Read more
Sustainable Finance
Mobilizing Investment for the Developing World's Sustainable Cooling Needs Rising global temperatures mean demand for cooling in homes, workplaces, and across supply chains is accelerating, particularly in developing economies where the impact of extreme heat is already being felt most acutely. Heat-related deaths are running at an annual average close to 500,000 globally, highlighting the urgency of boosting access to cooling. As well as averting fatal outcomes, ensuring populations have access to cooling – for human comfort as well as preserving perishable goods – means workers are more productive, farmers can deliver produce to market before it spoils and healthcare...Read more
Financial Inclusion
Fintech
June 5, 2024 | Washington DC EMpact is helping build AI Labs within our partner organizations as a part of our effort to accelerate digital transformation of agricultural value chains and relevant financial services. Today, EMpact published a new white paper that delves into the pivotal role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in propelling financial inclusion. It underscores the criticality of leveraging AI to bolster the operational agility, efficiency, and outreach of Financial Service Providers (FSPs). FSPs are already sitting on data collected during customer onboarding, typically gathered on an in-person basis. This is of high value compared to digital-first providers,...Read more
Data Analytics
Fintech
Small and medium enterprises face many challenges within a rapidly evolving economic landscape—one that demands innovative banking solutions. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) form the representing 90% of all firms, employing approximately 70% of the world's workforce, and contributing 50% to global GDP. But banks are not keeping up with solutions...Read more
Non Financial Services
Equity
Washington D.C, September 30th, 2024 – KoreFusion Consulting , a boutique strategy consulting and investment bank focused on SME payments and financing in North America and Western Europe has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. “SME Finance Forum proudly welcomes the leading SME payments and financing Non-Bank Financial Institution in North America and Western Europe to our...Read more
Financial Inclusion
Digital Transformation
Divergent views among business leaders and bankers on priorities uncover a white space for nimble financial institutions to compete in this varied market segment. ARMONK, N.Y., September 18th, 2024 – New findings from IBM’s (NYSE: IBM) Institute for Business Value and the Banking Industry Architecture Network (BIAN), with contributions from the SME Finance Forum managed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), revealed that despite the significant role small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) plays in the global economy, banks may be missing an opportunity to foster growth in this market due to their focus on reducing risks, meeting regulatory requirements, and...Read more