Nationlink
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Name of project: Nationlink
Project partner: Nationlink, Opportunity International (OI)
Country: Philippines
Coverage: National
Date began: June 2008
Technology used: Mobile/POS channels with agents
Services: Connect MFIs to national ATM and POS networks
No. of clients reached: Targeting 12 MFIs who currently serve over 750,000 customers
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About the project
The project involves connecting at least 12 MFIs to national ATM and POS networks to expand service offerings and reduce costs. CGAP and Opportunity International agreed to jointly assess how both MFIs and their clients benefit from an interoperable network.
Status of project
Nationlink has already successfully deployed ATM services to more than 20 entities (Rural Banks and Cooperative Banks). The learning of the ATM track will be documented in order to understand their economics and benefits. The POS technology was tested and proven by Nationlink at a Rural Bank. Data center upgrades are currently being undertaken for scalability. CGAP conducted a study to assess merchants in the Philippines as potential agents. The results were promising as there are many candidate merchants and stores near to customers that are suitable to be agents, while the commissions they require are reasonable. This survey was used as input for defining the pricing model.
Nationlink has signed 4 of the first set of 5 MFIs to be on-boarded on the network. Two of these MFIs have signed a POS subscription. Planning for rollout of ATM and POS and cards issuance at the pilot locations of Cabanatuan and Bohol is underway. The approval of the regulator and the partnership with the settlement bank and the national payment system has been secured.
For more information please write to us at technology@cgap.org.
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