During Financial Inclusion Week this year we discussed “New Products, New Partnerships, New Potential.” With 62 partner organizations engaging over 2 million people worldwide, together we proved that indeed new potential lies in working together to tackle financial inclusion. Throughout the week, we heard from stakeholders in person and online, highlighting the new opportunities that product innovation and partnerships bring.
Our team was particularly inspired by the range of stakeholders who participated. From the Central Bank of Costa Rica to Credit Suisse, to Awaaz.De, a fintech start-up based in India, this year’s Financial Inclusion Week partners demonstrated the breadth of financial inclusion players. The partner institutions came from over 20 countries and included microfinance institutions, fintech startups, mobile money operators, multilaterals, foundations, payments providers, global banks, central banks and other government agencies, and technology companies. The breadth of provider types reminded me of just how global and complex the financial inclusion ecosystem has become.
One of my personal take-aways from the week was our continued industry focus on the end-user of financial services. We saw webinars and events highlighting the client voice, financial literacy, financial capability, and customer satisfaction. Institutions are taking digital innovation and wrestling with how digital channels can be leveraged to increase client success. I appreciate that even as we press toward a digital age, we are considering customer outcomes.
In this electronic magazine we will share the story of Financial Inclusion Week 2017. I encourage you to explore the event insights, pictures, and videos captured in these pages and at www.financialinclusionweek.org. Stay tuned for the dates for Financial Inclusion Week 2018. We hope that you will once again add your voices to the global conversation.
Best Regards,
Elisabeth Rhyne
Managing Director
Center for Financial Inclusion
financial inclusion by casting your vote
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December 2017
Financial Inclusion Week Roundup
Stakeholders meet at the Embassy of the UK in Paraguay.