Advancing Savings Services Workshop (February 2010)

March 12, 2010    

On February 23-24, 2010, CGAP welcomed over fifty practitioners, donors, investors, and industry experts to discuss how funders can best contribute to expanding poor people’s access to savings. The diversity of participants provided for a wide representation of views from experts working at each level of the microfinance spectrum - financial institutions, supporting NGOs, donors and investors, and expert consultants. The practical experience related by MFI managers and their network partners allowed participants to hear about the real challenges facing providers on the ground, to reconcile theory with practice, and to question common perceptions.

The conference produced important lessons across diverse thematic areas related to savings promotion. Participants generally agreed that well-targeted technical assistance policies, prudent investment strategies, long-term commitment, and evaluation of internal capacities can allow funders to play an important role in bringing low-income savers into the financial system.