Bandhan Bank: Paving the way for financial inclusion in India
Two weeks ago, I had an opportunity to visit Bandhan Bank, a banking and financial services company headquartered in Kolkata, India. I thank my good friend, Mr. Chandra Shekhar Ghosh, for his gracious invitation to their 8th year-anniversary celebration. My friendship with Chandra, Bandhan Bank’s founder and managing director, dates back to the early 2000s…
ADB provides support to PH's 1st gender bond
MANILA – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it provided technical assistance to the Philippines’ first Gender Bond issued by ASA Philippines Foundation Inc.
In a statement on Thursday, ADB said it provided technical assistance to support bond framework development and capacity building through the Asian Bond Markets Initiative (ABMI)…
Nonprofit raises P5B via Philippines' first gender bond sale
MANILA, Philippines — ASA Philippines Foundation Inc. (ASA Phils.) issued the country’s first gender bond and raised P5 billion, with the goal of promoting lending for women entrepreneurs. The gender-themed debt notes, which are payable in 5 years, were sold to primary institutional lenders, the Asian Development Bank…
Meta partners with Pakistan’s central bank to digitally empower 500 women entrepreneurs
slamabad: Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has joined forces with Pakistan’s central bank to digitally empower 500 women entrepreneurs and small businesses. The collaboration aims to provide training, resources, and networking opportunities to the participants…
Index names NZ No.1 for women entrepreneurs
New Zealand women entrepreneurs have the strongest supporting conditions and opportunities to thrive, according to the second edition of the Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs released the day before International Women’s Day…
Change Make Her: Cocal-Cola Foundation, microloan platform Kiva to support 45K women entrepreneurs in Ph, worldwide
The Coca-Cola Foundation has announced its support for Change Make Her, a new five-year partnership with microloan nonprofit Kiva to improve financial access for under-represented entrepreneurs around the world.…
OP-ED: Technology has placed women’s financial inclusion within reach
In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, with technology reshaping industries and societies, digital public infrastructure (DPI) has emerged as a catalyst for financial inclusion. Recognizing its potential to foster gender equality, India’s G20 presidency has prioritized it as a drive to boost women’s economic participation…
Glorifying multi-tasking by women entrepreneurs has to stop, says CARE
New research by development organization CARE has revealed how ingrained gender norms are, who is enforcing them and how they are preventing women entrepreneurs from reaching their goals. Revealingly, it is not just men who are piling expectations on women – it is also women themselves and their female family members.…
Women embrace digital banking in typhoon-hit Philippine province as Covid drives entrepreneurship
More men than women have bank accounts in the Philippines. But a growing trend of females running small businesses in Surigao del Sur in Mindanao show that this gap could narrow…
To empower female entrepreneurs, we must challenge gender norms
New research from CARE’s Ignite program in Pakistan, Peru and Vietnam has shown how much women’s professional ambitions are curtailed by the deeply ingrained assumption that a woman should be the primary childcare giver and the man should be the breadwinner. …
How will embedded finance revolutionize industries in Southeast Asia?
How will embedded finance revolutionize industries in Southeast Asia? There is a game-changing shift that is empowering the next stage of growth …
Digital lending critical to reimagining MSME financing in the Philippines
Digital lending critical to reimagining MSME financing in the Philippines New types of finance can strengthen small Filipino businesses following the pandemic …
On the verge of a digital banking revolution in the Philippines
On the verge of a digital banking revolution in the Philippines As regulators encourage new players to enter the digital financial services …
Asia on the cusp of a new era
Asia on the cusp of a new era Asia will be the furnace in which a new era is forged—and may experience …
Digital Lending Can Turn the Dial on Financial Access for MSMEs
Digital Lending Can Turn the Dial on Financial Access for MSMEs Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) form the backbone of the …
Realizing the Potential of Over 71 Million MSMEs in Southeast Asia
Realizing the Potential of Over 71 Million MSMEs in Southeast Asia The growth of MSMEs are a key driver of inclusive economic …
South-East Asian SMEs are missing out on the digital revolution. Here’s how to get them on board
South-East Asian SMEs are missing out on the digital revolution. Here’s how to get them on board Major economies in South-East Asia …
How Financial Institutions Can Help SMEs in Southeast Asia Grow
How Financial Institutions Can Help SMEs in Southeast Asia Grow Like all businesses hit by the pandemic, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) …
Is the MSME banking struggle in Southeast Asia over for traditional banks?
Is the MSME banking struggle in Southeast Asia over for traditional banks? A new perspective on the struggles of traditional banks in …
Tamara Singh: New Approach to MSME Financing in Asia Pacific
Tamara Singh: New Approach to MSME Financing in Asia Pacific Tamara Singh is Adviser and former Head of Asia Pacific at OMFIF. …
The reshaping of the global economy: Riding the waves of change
The reshaping of the global economy: Riding the waves of change As China’s property market tanks, countless families find themselves entangled in …
Microfinance best practices
Microfinance best practices Most of us are familiar with loan sharks or “5-6” informal lenders that the poor resort to because they …
Filipino microentrepreneurs use digital solutions to make their businesses future-ready
Filipino microentrepreneurs use digital solutions to make their businesses future-ready Microentrepreneurs who were at risk of losing their businesses upgrade to …
Search for digitalization champs ongoing
Search for digitalization champs ongoing Digitalization remains a major strategy for promoting financial inclusion in the Philippines. Thus says Governor Felipe Medalla …
ASHI: Enabling mothers via microfinance
ASHI: Enabling mothers via microfinance May is the month of Mothers – our caregivers, supporters, nurturers and providers. For all their sacrifices, …
PH fintech mobile app adoption up in 2023
PH fintech mobile app adoption up in 2023 The adoption rate of financial technology in the Philippines among the population ages 15 …
Digital lending apps see growth, increased time spent by PH users in 2022 – analysis
Digital lending apps see growth, increased time spent by PH users in 2022 – analysis A January 2023 analysis by digital financing …
Fintech Adoption in the Philippines Set to Increase by Over 72% by 2024; Digido Report Reveals
Fintech Adoption in the Philippines Set to Increase by Over 72% by 2024; Digido Report Reveals The adoption rate of financial technology …
Digital lenders eye Indonesian SME financing gap
Digital lenders eye Indonesian SME financing gap Flexible new kids on the block see US$60 billion opportunity in banking underbanked As traditional …
Filipinos spent nine years’ worth of time on digital lending apps in 2022
Filipinos spent nine years’ worth of time on digital lending apps in 2022 MANILA, Philippines — A 2022 report found that over two million …
India-based digital lending firm enters PH
India-based digital lending firm enters PH Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 28) — India’s financial tech company Lentra has expanded its operations …
Philippine fintech user base projected at 59.3 million by end of year
Philippine fintech user base projected at 59.3 million by end of year THE NUMBER of financial technology (fintech) users over 15 years …
Southeast Asia’s fintechs fill lending gap with data SINGAPORE/JAKARTA — Southeast Asian fintech startups are extending credit to younger borrowers, many of whom have …
Bandhan Bank: Paving the way for financial inclusion in India Two weeks ago, I had an opportunity to visit Bandhan Bank, a …
ADB provides support to PH’s 1st gender bond MANILA – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it provided technical assistance to the Philippines’ …
Nonprofit raises P5B via Philippines’ first gender bond sale MANILA, Philippines — ASA Philippines Foundation Inc. (ASA Phils.) issued the country’s first gender …
Meta partners with Pakistan’s central bank to digitally empower 500 women entrepreneurs Company has trained over 9,000 women entrepreneurs across Pakistan since …
Index names NZ No.1 for women entrepreneurs New Zealand is in the lead but gender bias is still in play for women …