As new solutions are found to deliver financial products and services to the poor, and as these systems become more integrated in the overall financial system, policy and legal frameworks will need to adapt so that governments can play their appropriate role as facilitators, rather than direct providers, of financial services for the poor. CGAP's goals in this area will be to:

• Foster diversity of institutions and financial products through policy and legal regimes that are not biased in favor of one institutional model or product;

• Establish supportive legal and regulatory frameworks that safeguard poor people's money and promote competition; and

• Develop the technical expertise of government supervisory and regulatory authorities.

CGAP is in a strong position to support the development of a sound legal and regulatory environment for microfinance. Its comparative advantage in this area stems from its neutrality, multi-donor platform, relationship with the World Bank, the IMF and regional development banks, and the leverage that these organizations have in addressing policy issues with government policymakers.

Microfinance Consensus Guidelines are published by CGAP as a way for the industry to agree to common, consistent standards for measuring performance.

The Microfinance Regulation and Supervision Resource Center brings together data, legal texts, key references, opinion pieces, and relevant links on the financial sector policy framework and the microfinance environment for 50 countries.

Policy Consultations with international financial organizations and country-level policymakers allow CGAP to influence real policy change. Priority is given to policy work that concretely contributes to the establishment of appropriate enabling environments.

Technical Tools, Services, and Training developed by CGAP assist those who play a policy, regulatory, and supervisory role in microfinance. Wherever possible, these are developed in partnership with other providers. Complementing this work, CGAP and its partners deliver training courses for government policymakers, bank regulators and supervisors, and donor staff on legal and regulatory issues in microfinance.

Central African Policy Forum - Bringing Together Decision Makers at a Crucial Time, 18-20 March, Yaoundé, Cameroon

Branchless Banking - the use of mobile phones and other technology together with existing retail outlets to provide banking services - is already enabling millions of people to access financial services without accessing a traditional bank branch. This trend has truly transformational potential to increase the availability and reduce the cost of financial services for poor people. Policy and regulation will determine not only whether branchless banking is legally permitted, but also which business models are economically feasible and how far they will go in reaching poor people.