Staff Directory

William Cook

Senior Financial Sector Specialist

Based in Bogota, William Cook focuses on payments, financial market infrastructure, and digital business models. Before joining CGAP, William held a variety of roles in financial services, including six years with Ernst & Young LLP in the organization’s advisory and audit practices.

By William Cook

Research

Unlocking Private Investment in Last-Mile Access via Shared Agent Networks: A Funder's Guide

Cash transfers in fragile contexts fail when recipients can't access their money. Shared agent networks are the critical link, but the economics don't work without funder support. This deck makes the case for shared agent networks as essential infrastructure, outlines how patient, collaborative investment can build last-mile financial access that sustains itself, and provides a financial modeling tool to help understand the trade-offs in funder support levels.
Research

Stablecoins in Humanitarian Cash Transfers

Humanitarian cash transfers are vital to resilience, yet reaching those most in need remains a persistent challenge. This deck assesses how stablecoins can help development funders improve cross-border transfers and last-mile delivery, offering practical guidance for humanitarian organizations and social protection actors navigating the realities of humanitarian payment systems.
Blog

Regulating Savings Groups: Only a Proportionate Approach Will Work

Savings groups offer vital, community-run savings and loans, thriving even in fragile contexts. But rising government regulation in some countries risks harming them unless policies remain proportionate and risk-based.
Blog

Bridging Humanitarian and Social Protection Systems in Ukraine

Ukraine’s experience highlights a core challenge: humanitarian and social protection payment systems remain disconnected. Bridging them could reduce duplication, lower costs, and improve how civilians access aid in a protracted crisis.
Blog

Rebuilding Gaza’s Financial Sector: Lessons from Afghanistan

Rebuilding Gaza’s financial sector will be essential for recovery. Funders should strengthen institutions, restore liquidity, and support local capacity. Afghanistan's coordinated, locally-led reconstruction offers an example.