Exploring the Nature and Prevalence of Financial Abuse Among Microfinance Customers in Benin

Cerise+SPTF and Grameen Foundation collaborated on research to test a survey instrument designed to measure the nature and prevalence of financial abuse.

A phone survey, conducted with approximately 200 women clients each from two financial institutions in Benin found low rates of financial abuse when women answered yes/no questions about their own experiences, but a high rate of financial abuse when the women answered a qualitative question about financial abuse challenges in their communities. Furthermore, in a post-survey meeting to discuss the findings, the directors of both institutions stated that they were aware that some of their customers experienced financial abuse, and described how their institutions had already taken action, notably with customer training and confidentiality policies, to mitigate the risk.

The paper resulting from this research is fully integrated into Cerise+SPTF's project for strengthening outcomes management to guide decision-making to improve inclusive finance products and services. Learn more on Cerise+SPTF's Sustainable Outcomes Management Project.