Staff Directory

Sai Krishna Kumaraswamy

Financial Sector Specialist

Sai Krishna Kumaraswamy leads CGAP’s work on inclusive competition, and as part of the policy and investment team, contributes to work on innovation, digital finance regulation and supervision, financial consumer protection, and policy responses to financial crises. He also serves as CGAP’s Regional Lead for Asia based in Bangkok, where he supports member engagement and partnership development, contributes to regional projects, and works to deepen CGAP's influence in the region.

Previously, Sai was part of CGAP’s Business Models team for five years, where he worked on digital finance innovations that enabled improved livelihoods and expanded access to essential services for people living in poverty, focusing on micro and small enterprise financing, asset finance, off-grid energy access, and gender-responsive fintech innovation. Before joining CGAP, Sai worked at the Gender Group and the Global Infrastructure Facility of the World Bank, and as an auditor and consultant in India. 

Sai holds a Master’s degree in Development Economics from The Fletcher School at Tufts University, a Master’s degree in Liberal Arts from Ashoka University, and an Undergraduate degree in Accounting, Business and Finance from St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore. He is also a Chartered Accountant. He is fluent in Tamil, Kannada and Hindi.

By Sai Krishna Kumaraswamy

Research

Advancing Competition for Financial Inclusion: Six Policy Considerations for Financial Sector Authorities

This Focus Note provides practical policy considerations for financial sector authorities to act on competition concerns using their existing mandates and regulatory toolkit. By applying a competition lens, authorities can promote competition in ways that advance financial inclusion while safeguarding stability, integrity, and consumer protection.
Blog

Competition in Financial Services: Three Country Paths, One Bigger Question

While access to finance has grown, market concentration and high costs remain. Brazil, India, and the UK prove that when financial regulators prioritize competition through policy, they can lower prices and improve variety for all consumers.
Blog

Beyond the Headlines: EAP's Hidden Inclusion Gaps

While high-level data suggests financial inclusion is rising in East Asia and the Pacific, China’s massive progress often masks disparities elsewhere. Here, we explore the "hidden gaps" facing women and rural communities and call for more inclusive financial systems.
Research

Safeguarding Financial Inclusion During Crises: Lessons for Policymaking

This paper offers guidance to financial safety-net authorities on designing crisis response measures that both restore financial stability and safeguard financial inclusion.
Research

Competition for Financial Inclusion: A Conceptual Framework

The insights in this paper point to the importance of financial authorities applying an intentional competition lens and offer an analytical framework to help deliver more inclusive and resilient financial systems.