Top Ten Blog Posts of 2019

One of our most popular blog posts of all time, this post seems to have struck a chord with a great number of our readers. Clearly, working conditions for MFI staff remains a big issue that many institutions grapple with.

From industry leader, Elisabeth Rhyne, this blog post reflects on a number of burning questions about where microfinance is going, such as: Will fintechs take over microfinance? Can traditional microfinance lenders survive? If so, how? 

Digital transformation was a huge topic this year, as more and more MFIs realize they need to climb on the digital bandwagon to stay relevant. In this Gateway Guide, we shared our main take-aways from the latest research and practical lessons across the sector.

Members of the Propagate Coalition, which brings together six of the largest and most innovative smallholder finance providers from around the world, put together this post to open up discussion on one of the greatest impact investment opportunities in financial inclusion today. 

This blog post by our FinEquity colleagues looks at how organizations in Turkey are working to unpack and overcome the insidious effects of gender-based social norms on women’s financial health.

To realize the potential gains of financial inclusion, more intentional efforts are needed to close persistent gender gaps. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has developed three core principles for advancing women’s financial inclusion and economic empowerment.

In 2019, the PAYGO Perform community of practice launched their page on FinDev Gateway. This blog post was their introduction to the FinDev community, in which they argued for standardizing financial reporting in this sector in order to help the industry grow.

Access to a mobile phone is not enough. In this blog post, the BOMA Project shares how they work to overcome illiteracy and innumeracy to bring digital financial services to women living in extreme poverty in sub-Saharan Africa.

Based on a FinDev webinar co-hosted with MIX on the topic of Inclusive Fintech, this blog posts asks the question: How can we identify which fintech companies and products offer impact potential without being enthralled by the latest 'shiny new object'? Four frameworks help separate potential from hype.

Water.org explains why water and sanitation loans have high repayment rates and should be prioritized by MFIs, and makes a call to all microfinance professionals to reject the misguided labeling of loans as either productive or for consumption only.