Task Force on Microfinance Eight Business Model Breakthroughs for Microfinance Presentation of Work in Progress, October 24, 2006 The Challenge of Scale in Microfinance Microfinance is a recognized tool for addressing poverty and empowering the poor. Despite the important accomplishments of microfinance institutions, most of the potential clients of microfinance still lack access to quality financial services. Why? Needed: Business models that can bring microfinance to scale The Forum of Young Global Leaders (YGL) A unique, multi-stakeholder community of the world’s most extraordinary leaders who are 40 years old or younger and who are ready to dedicate a part of their time and energy to jointly work towards a better future. The 2020 Initiative – defining a vision for a world where sustainable economic development replaces the plague of poverty around the globe. In association with the World Economic Forum YGL Microfinance Task Force Objectives Public Awareness Specific Microfinance Projects Private Sector Engagement Conducive Regulatory Environment The Breakthroughs Project of the YGL Task Force • Search for business model breakthroughs, especially related to scale and efficiency. • Leaders from microfinance join counterparts from business and other sectors to exchange experience. • ACCION International facilitates. • Eight key breakthroughs identified and presented here. • Work will continue on: Potential impact Obstacles to expansion Pathways to widespread adoption Final paper to be presented at the World Economic Forum in early 07. Conventional Wisdom in Microfinance Microfinance is about lending for “productive” purposes. Loan officers are the cornerstone of good microfinance. Widely held “truths” may block a breakthrough. Every MFI needs a customtailored IT system. Microfinance clients won’t use new technologies. Four Dimensions of Breakthroughs Prepare MFIs to apply the innovation Adapt technology to fit Microfinance clients Examples: credit bureaus, software companies Innovate for MF Clients Attract new players, support structures Upgrade MFI capabilities Foster policy or regulatory change Innovations bring need to revise regulations Exercise Breakthrough 1. Payment Systems Client convenience and security Make automated payment systems available to microfinance clients Benefits to Clients and MFIs Increased MFI efficiency; lower cost Penetrate difficult locations Mechanisms Card products: debit, credit, prepaid, etc. Devices: ATMs, POS, cell phones Challenges Few MFIs are members in payment networks Products designed for middle class market Clients are used to cash, as are vendors they use Exercise Breakthrough 2. Mobile Phones The ultimate in client convenience Turn cell phones into payments devices Benefits Low income clients already love cell phones Cooperation between Telcoms and Banks Mechanisms Challenges Sim card becomes payment vehicle Text messaging to transfer money Infrastructure preconditions Per-transaction fees high Security vulnerabilities make regulators skeptical Breakthrough 4. Improve MFI Information Technology Financial Management and Reporting Streamline Customer Interface Teller transactions Loan Approvals IT System Basic Ops. Connected Networked Recoverable Connect to Payment Systems ATMs, Cards, International Money Transfer Data Mining Credit Scoring Understanding Customers Social Performance Monitoring MFI systems must perform all these functions well. Breakthrough 5. New Channels to Reach Customers: Retail Networks Traditional Model MFI Branch Loan Officer/ Branch cashier Customer . Retailer as Delivery Channel Use of Retail Agent MFI Branch -- ? Retail Agent (Pago Facil) Customer . Retailer Becomes MFI Retailer (Elektra) Retail Store Cashier/Clerk Customer Many models are possible. Breakthrough 6. Offer Clients a Full Suite of Products From Mono to Multi-product Monoproduct Credit: • Group • Individual Credit Variety Credit: • Group • Individual • Housing • Consumer • Small business Credit & Savings Credit: Savings: • Group • current accounts • Individual • Programmed • Housing • Consumer savings • Fixed • Small deposits business Payments: • Vehicle • Fixed asset • Utility bills • Pawn loans Full Service Credit: • Individual • Group • Housing • Consumer • Vehicle • Small business • Pawn loans Savings: • Current accounts • Programmed savings • Fixed deposits Insurance: • Life insurance • Property insurance • Health insurance Money Transfers and Payments: • National • International • Utility bill payments Breakthrough 7. Leverage the Mainstream Financial System Concept: MFIs Reach Clients More Effectively Bank Alliances With MFIs • Conventional bank loan to MFI (many examples worldwide) • Investment banking services (Citibank and Compartamos bonds) • Bank purchases MFI portfolio (ICICI partnership model) • Bank uses MFI as deposit collection agent (Brazil model of banking correspondents) Concept: Banks Have Advantages MFIs Cannot Duplicate Banks as Retailers • NGO-MFIs become banks (BancoSol, Mibanco, Compartamos, etc.) • Bank establishes microfinance subsidiary (Pichincha, Sogebank) • Bank adapts consumer lending to microfinance market (Banco de Trabajo, Peru) • Bank provides savings and payments services but not loans (Post Office Savings Banks) Mainstream banks offer: low cost of funds, known brand, branch infrastructure, technology, connection to payment systems. Breakthrough 8. Create a Supportive Policy Environment Basic Minimum Conditions for Microfinance to Operate • Stable macroeconomic and political situation • Liberalized financial sector with quality supervisors Microfinance-Specific Concerns Microfinance • No interest rate caps – market-determined • Government respects its role as rule-setter, not service provider Friendly • May have special categories for microfinance Policies & Regulations Keep Pace with New Developments Forward Looking • Policymakers pursue access to financial services for all as goal • Regulators work with industry to ensure security for new technologies such as cell phones • Regulators and industry cooperate to ensure consumer protection A country’s policy environment may determine whether or not microfinance takes off.