Research & Analysis

Results Dashboard: CGAP Pulse Survey of Microfinance Institutions

This interactive dashboard allows you to explore the publicly available results of the CGAP Pulse Survey of Microfinance Institutions. Launched on 1 June 2020 and conducted every two weeks, the survey provides a high-level picture of how COVID-19 is impacting the microfinance sector at the global, regional, and national levels. The most recent wave of the survey ended 7 July 2020.

Microfinance and COVID-19: A Framework for Regulatory Response

A framework for identifying and assessing crisis responses must take account of the special characteristics of microfinance which leads to the question of how regulators should respond. A review of current practice in a range of countries suggests there are six key steps to be taken at the level of regulation and policy.

How to Engage Third Parties with Your Open APIs

Aimed at CEOs, API project managers, and API sales and engagement leads within digital financial services providers who are looking to drive awareness and use of their APIs, this slide deck describes different third-party segments and introduces engagement strategies and activities for meeting the needs of these segments. 

Making Consumer Protection Regulation More Customer-Centric

Customer outcomes approaches are emerging as a promising consumer protection paradigm where the regulatory focus shifts from provider compliance with prescriptive check-the-box rules to customer results or outcomes achieved through provider actions.

Electric Bankers: Utility-Enabled Finance in Sub-Saharan Africa

Without appliances, people cannot make use of electricity. But how can low-income households afford costly electrical appliances? One answer is for utilities to offer consumer financing.

Platform Business Models

Internet platforms are taking the world by storm, making it easy for third parties to exchange goods and services. Adding financial services can improve the experience, but what risks should financial service providers and regulators consider?

Innovations in Asset Finance

With the SDGs facing an estimated annual investment gap of $2.5 trillion, innovations in asset financing offer a more sustainable alternative to transfers, with the potential to drive asset ownership at scale.

Technology Building Blocks for an Open API Strategy

For financial services providers opening APIs, it is key to have the right technologies in place. This deck is intended to help business leaders who are not IT specialists make informed decisions about the technologies supporting their open APIs.

Humanitarian Cash Transfers and Financial Inclusion

Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Jordan receive more than one quarter of their humanitarian assistance in the form of cash and vouchers. Leveraging this aid delivery to connect refugees to the formal financial system requires the host country to have widespread digital financial ecosystem in place and coordination among governments, aid agencies, and financial service providers.

Assets Matter to Poor People

CGAP has undertaken a comprehensive review of the available evidence to understand (i) how asset ownership can lead to improvements in well-being for poor households and (ii) whether obtaining an asset through a loan or lease as opposed to a transfer, grant, or outright purchase affects the benefits associated with ownership.