Latest Posts
Filter PostsCash Transfers Directed to Women and the Implications for Intimate Partner Violence: Lessons for Program Design
A comprehensive study by CFI and WFP suggests that directing funds into the hands of women on behalf of their households can reduce risk factors associated with intimate partner violence (IPV). This blog post highlights how to design cash transfer programs and send money to women while reducing the risk of IPV.
‘Responsible Finance’ is Not Responsible if it’s Not Gender-Intentional
Reflecting on conversations from the 2023 RFF event, CFI's Advisory Council chair Joanna Ledgerwood writes about why DFS risks are greater for women and what is needed for addressing and preventing these risks to increase women's digital inclusion.
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We are always looking out for blog posts that further the discussion on inclusive finance. Share your idea or unique perspective, or submit a draft post and we'll be happy to consider it.
Gender Bias in AI: An Experiment with ChatGPT in Financial Inclusion
Following the release of CFI's Equitable AI Guide and Brief, Lucciana Alvarez Ruiz identifies issues with popular AI tools, like ChatGPT, and how AI can result in harmful gender bias if key challenges with building accountability and transparency are not addressed.
Power in Practice – or Only on Paper? Addressing the Financial Gaps Affecting Women Business Owners in India
Columbia University SIPA graduate, Nina Liew, considers how fintechs can challenge discriminatory gender norms, intentionally design products for women users, and diversify their organization to further benefit women.
Fight Gender Inequality: Prioritizing Women’s Customer Experience in Product Design and Complaint Resolution Processes
Interviews with 38 women MSE owners in India emphasize the need for banks and fintechs to adopt a gender-intelligent approach to better understand how women use complaint resolution processes and design offerings that address their specific needs.
How FSPs Can Help Low-Income Populations in Sierra Leone Respond to Climate-Related Shocks
Interviews with 12 agriculture and financial experts in Sierra Leone identify 3 major climate risks for the country. How can FSPs better understand the impact of these risks and help vulnerable populations transition to alternative livelihoods?
Exploring Fintech Funding Dynamics in Recent Years
The fintech expansion in low- and middle-income markets faces numerous challenges, but the sector continues to be an area of significant opportunity and innovation. CFI breaks down four key trends in fintech funding today and urges investors to continue supporting inclusive fintechs toward sustained growth.
Outlining Priorities for Responsible Finance
Magda Bianco identifies three areas that require urgent attention in the face of the evolving nature of consumer risks: financial exclusion for migrants, new technologies, and reaching traditionally underserved segments, especially small businesses and women.
Ending the Cycle of Insanity: Responsible Finance in the Digital Age
As we prepare to meet in Bengaluru for RFF 2023, Mayada El-Zoghbi reflects on recent conversations with clients in Colombia and Kenya and urges the inclusive finance sector to refocus efforts to break out of an endless cycle of emerging risks.
Designing for Dignity: Creating Equal Opportunity through Financial Inclusion – Q & A with Rosita Najmi, CFI Advisory Council Member
CFI spoke with Rosita Najmi to reflect on her 20+ years in global development and her personal relationship with poverty that has shaped her strong desire to empower others.
Climate Vulnerability and Financial Exclusion Go Hand in Hand – What Can Be Done?
Research shows a positive correlation between financial inclusion and financial resilience. While we cannot prevent climate-related events from happening, this guest blog post focuses on the potential within our reach to help people prepare for the next disaster.
Colombian Wetlands Hard Hit by Climate Shocks - What Role for Financial Services?
CFI's Anindita Chakraborty transports us to the Colombian wetlands, where climate shocks persist and people must diversify their livelihoods to survive. Discussions with these communities reveal why existing financial systems are not working for these men and women and what needs to change.
The Intersection of Financial Inclusion and Gender during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Insights from Impact Investing
In this guest blog post, the authors discuss new research from the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) and how impact investors can use their privilege and power to support gender equality in times of crisis and beyond.
Inclusive Finance and Extreme Heat: How Small Loans and Parametric Insurance Can Help Vulnerable Populations Manage Through Deadly Heat Waves
Last year, temperatures were at an all-time high in India. CFI's Howard Miller highlights the negative impacts of extreme heat on households in India and what financial service providers need to do to help vulnerable people build resilience and adapt to climate change.
Catalytic Capital and Its Role in Digital Credit
How do we ensure that the rapid growth of digital credit doesn't come at the expense of consumer protection? This blog post examines the role of catalytic capital in shaping market incentives and the need for impact-oriented investors to address consumer risks as markets mature.
Letting the Consumer Speak: The Reality of Access to Finance in Guatemala
Exploring how digital finance can deepen financial access and usage among underserved communities in Guatemala.
Financial Inclusion: Is More Really Better?
This blog post discusses the shift of financial inclusion focus from access to usage, and questions if more financial inclusion is necessarily better before adopting a more accurate measure of inclusion.
FIW Recap: Grappling with Data Opportunities and Risks in Inclusive Finance
As the world races to stay on top of data-driven advances, inclusive finance leaders are particularly focused on how it will impact low-income and vulnerable populations. This post is part of a blog series highlighting FIW 2022 sessions that touch on CFI’s four strategic priorities.