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Rapid growth of MFIs’ gross loan portfolio sets alarm bells ringing in India
Microfinance companies extended heavier loans to their customers in the last financial year, data showed, raising concerns the sector that emerged from a crisis not far ago may be growing too fast yet again for its own good.
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- South Asia
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Tanzania: Concern As Higher Banking Fees Come Into Effect Today
Stakeholders say the increase threatens to reverse gains made in financial inclusion in the country. Banks have announced that fees charged on services such as withdrawals would increase following the government's decision to impose 18 per cent value added tax (VAT) on the charges.
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- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Press Release: Accion Welcomes Raza Dean and Nick Talwar to Its Board of Directors
"We are thrilled to welcome Raza Dean and Nick Talwar to the Accion Board of Directors," said Accion Board Chair Diana Taylor. "Both individuals bring unique and extensive experience in the financial services industry."
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Deposits up 118 percent over 21 months in India’s Jan Dhan financial inclusion program
The average deposit per account under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) - a financial inclusion programme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August 2014 - increased 118 per cent from Rs 795 in September 2014 to Rs 1,735 in May 2016, according to IndiaSpend analysis of government data.
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- South Asia
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Perspective: Stop Social Entrepreneurship
Social Entrepreneurship has become the new buzzword among start-uppers and venture capitalists across the world. Myths of ‘Hero-preneurs’ who change billions of lives are showcased daily by international foundations and leading economic media.
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China touts new bank’s greater understanding of developing world
The China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) will be different from institutions like the World Bank because it has a greater understanding of the developing world's needs, officials said on Sunday at its first annual meeting.
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- South Asia
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Mercy Corps, MasterCard Target 18,000 Women in Nigeria Financial Inclusion Strategy
Under the landmark initiative, over 2,000 young women have gone through the Mercy Corps/ MasterCard programme while more than 6,000 participants from across Mercy Corps programmes have been registered for the multi-functional eID card. About 100 participants have already received their card.
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- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- mobile finance
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Beyond RCTs: How Rapid-Fire Testing Can Build Better Financial Products
Rapid-fire tests are nimble randomized controlled trials specifically aimed at improving product design. They are already common practice among technology-based companies as a way to iterate and rapidly improve their product and expand their user-base, but they can also be used to answer questions about the demand for financial products and improve other interventions that help the world’s poor. Innovations for Poverty Action explores what these trials can and cannot do.
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