Global Network for Banking Innovation in Microfinance

This paper presents the details of Women's World Banking (WWB) Global Network for Banking Innovation in Microfinance (GNBI) - a network of regulated financial institutions that attempt to demonstrate that microfinance is a profitable and transformational business opportunity. The paper discusses the following aspects of GNBI:

Objective - To encourage the profitable provision of microfinance by:

• Highlighting financial institutions that provide wholesale and retail finance to poor people;
• Creating learning forums and exchanges for regulated financial institutions and WWB network members;
• Promoting technical and financial collaborations and innovative partnerships.

Activities - GNBI's priority activity areas are to:

• Organize best practice meetings;
• Catalyze key innovations;
• Promote collaborations;
• Participate in policy change.

Membership criteria and process - The applying institution must be a respected, regulated financial institution that:

• Is recognized as a leader in providing financial services to low-income entrepreneurs and women;
• Is committed to strengthening the country in which it operates;
• Has a clear vision and strategy for growth in microfinance;
• Has at least 10,000 active microfinance clients either directly, or through partnerships;
• Recognizes the profit in microfinance;
• Agrees to develop and use performance indicators;
• Shares microfinance best practices;
• Contributes financially to the GNBI.

The paper concludes by providing a list of GNBI members.