Finance sector development

How fintech can accelerate financial inclusion in Indonesia

By Arup Kumar Chatterjee, Poornima Jayawardana on Friday, 13 April 2018

For the country to take full advantage of financial technology, 3 significant steps need to be taken.
How financial inclusion reduces poverty, income inequality

By Cyn-Young Park on Tuesday, 03 April 2018

ADB research shows that access to finance has less impact on poverty rates in lower-middle- and low-income economies.
Over-indebtedness – the flip side of financial inclusion

By Sabine Spohn on Friday, 02 March 2018

To help microfinance clients borrow the right amount, we need to improve their awareness and understanding of financial products.
Unlocking money flows in the Pacific

By Steven Beck on Wednesday, 28 February 2018

We need to protect the financial system from terrorism and money laundering. But the people of the Pacific should not pay the heaviest price.
A promising but bumpy road ahead for blockchain

By Cyn-Young Park on Friday, 01 December 2017

There are several important challenges to tackle before blockchain-based solutions can solve real-world problems.
Preparing the foundations for fintech to blossom

By Arup Kumar Chatterjee on Friday, 10 November 2017

Fintech can unleash a new era of innovation, competition, and job-creating productivity. But it will take more than buzzwords to generate meaningful growth.
Shaping Asia’s fintech future

By Arup Kumar Chatterjee on Tuesday, 07 November 2017

For Asia to assume global leadership in fintech, collaboration between governments and industry players is vital.
Financing agriculture value chains in the digital age

By Shigehiro Shinozaki on Monday, 30 October 2017

Digital finance allows smallholder farmers to access high-value markets and technology, and reduce the cost of doing business.
How can digital finance better serve Asia’s poor?

By Shigehiro Shinozaki on Wednesday, 25 October 2017

Mobile money, enabled by data connectivity, can be a game-changer for the unbanked poor in developing Asia.
How blockchain can revolutionize access to finance

By Lotte Schou-Zibell on Friday, 29 September 2017

Blockchain is transforming financial transactions – with far-reaching implications for the unbanked.
How securitization can unlock infrastructure financing in India

By Jennifer Romero-Torres on Tuesday, 13 June 2017

Securitization of infrastructure assets can help India tap alternative sources to fill its long-term debt gap.
Can venture capital fill the SME finance gap in Sri Lanka?

By Donald Lambert on Tuesday, 23 May 2017

If investors are not keen on local SMEs, venture capital firms will struggle to find the exit door.
Are infrastructure bonds the next big thing in infrastructure financing?

By Donghyun Park, Shu Tian on Tuesday, 02 May 2017

The region’s infrastructure bond market is still at a nascent stage.
Demonetization brought out the best in Indian microfinance clients

By Sabine Spohn on Friday, 28 April 2017

Events unfolded quite differently to expectations, and showed the poor's resilience.
Microfinance institutions must enhance client protection to better serve clients

By Shigehiro Shinozaki on Wednesday, 14 December 2016

Microfinance institutions must ensure that clients are treated in a fair and transparent manner, and are able to fulfill their debt.
A global ID system that could revolutionize finance

By Steven Beck on Thursday, 01 December 2016

GLEIF will be a critically important contribution to help realize many of the current developments in fintech, and to spur more growth in cross-border trade.
Exercise equity market: A financing model to vitalize SMEs

By Shigehiro Shinozaki on Tuesday, 29 November 2016

Let's create a market mechanism that incubates 'smaller but growing' firms that will eventually tap the exchange market.
Internet-only banks to change financial landscape in Korea, and beyond

By Sung Su Kim on Monday, 31 October 2016

The entry of fully digitalized banks can help improve financial services, and support the emergence of innovative financial solutions to benefit MSMEs in developing Asia.
Digital finance successes, failures provide lessons for microfinance

By Kelly Hattel on Wednesday, 28 September 2016

If issues of trust, affordability, and reliability are addressed, digital financial services can help extend financial services to all.
Direct benefit transfer – a game-changer for financial inclusion in India

By Rishi Gupta on Monday, 26 September 2016

With the right technology, $60 billion in welfare payments can be seamlessly and directly credited into the bank accounts of all beneficiaries in India.