EVENTS 

Save the Date: Microfinance Impact and Innovation Conference: CGAP, along with partners Financial Access Initiative, Innovations for Poverty Action, the Jameel Poverty Action Lab, Moody's Corporation, and Deutsche Bank, is sponsoring a conference to discuss the impact of microfinance. Registration details will be available soon (New York City, 21-23 October 2010).

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Tilman Ehrbeck Named as New CEO of CGAP: Ehrbeck, a Partner at McKinsey & Company, brings nearly 20 years of experience in banking, management, and public sector work to CGAP, and a wealth of expertise in the area of financial inclusion.

Agent Banking Seminar in Mexico: To encourage knowledge sharing and to discuss innovative approaches that can help increase access to financial services in Mexico, CGAP, the National Banking and Securities Commission (CNBV), and the IFC are hosting an Agent Banking Seminar (Mexico City, 2-3 September 2010).

Enter the 2010 CGAP Microfinance Photography Contest: The 2010 CGAP Microfinance Photography Contest is open for entries. Submit your photos for the chance to win this year’s prestigious award, and tell the world about microfinance.

LATEST PUBLICATIONS

SmartAid for Microfinance Index 2011: The SmartAid Index helps funders identify their strengths and weaknesses and draws management attention to priorities for change.

Nonbank E-Money Issuers: The success of Kenya’s M-PESA has raised the question of how most effectively to regulate nonbanks who contract directly with customers to issue electronic value against receipt of equal funds.

Microfinance and Mobile Banking: This Focus Note explores the various roles that MFIs can play in m-banking and the potential benefits MFIs and their customers expect to gain from pursuing m-banking.

Performance-Based Agreements: This Technical Guide presents the rationale for the use of performance-based agreements and suggests ways to incorporate performance-based targets and incentives into existing loan and grant agreements.