Microfinance
BoJ’s Kuroda cites three channels to promote financial inclusion
Bank of Japan governor urges policymakers to enhance financial inclusion in Asia
Cambodia ‘caps microfinance interest rates’ – local media
85% of the country’s borrowers use microfinance institutions, the survey estimates
Philippines central bank empowers micro-banking offices
Micro-banking offices can open deposit accounts under new measure; central bank reflects on measures taken to boost financial inclusion in 2015 and challenges ahead
Good data vital for effective financial inclusion policies
With the World Bank soon to release the first update to its global financial inclusion database, Central Banking speaks to the Alliance for Financial Inclusion on the importance of good data
Basel Committee: Microfinance firms may far exceed supervisory capacity
Some banking supervisors may be struggling to cope with the vast number of small firms they are expected to oversee, finds a survey of the interaction between financial inclusion and regulation
Philippine governor touts country's microfinance expansion
Amando Tetangco outlines ways in which the central bank has facilitated developments; says recent catastrophe underscores the need for 'microinsurance'
Bangladesh Bank governor says micro-finance regulation must tread fine line
Atiur Rahman says supervisors must strike a difficult balance between encouraging over-indebtedness and damaging financial inclusion when regulating micro-finance
Pakistan’s Muktadir lauds mobile payments transition
State Bank of Pakistan deputy governor says uptake of mobile phone and smart card banking is changing the finance landscape in Pakistan
Central Bank of the Philippines governor outlines lending transparency initiatives
Amando Tetangco emphasises importance of ‘truth and transparency’ of lending to ensure microfinance schemes are sustainable; highlights central bank efforts to improve disclosure
RBI governor speaks on microfinance regulation challenges
Duvvuri Subbarao warns of risks posed by unregulated microfinance; sets out efforts by central bank and government to create 'comprehensive' regulation
New microfinance scheme launched in Hong Kong
Microfinance scheme to be run by Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation in collaboration with banks and non-government organisations; follows joint study with Hong Kong Monetary Authority last year
‘Branchless’ banking increasing in Pakistan
So-called 'branchless banking' transactions grew 23% between January and March this year; accounts linked to mobile phones reached over 1 million during the period
Fiji governor highlights importance of microfinance
The governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji opens microfinance expo; encourages participants to gain greater understanding of microfinance
RBI’s Sinha calls for enhanced regulation of microfinance
Reserve Bank of India deputy governor calls for greater regulation of the microfinance sector; says there has been a "significant downturn" in the sector's prospects
Bangladesh governor lauds role of microfinance in economy
Expanding microfinance sector contributes to domestic demand and poverty reduction, says Bangladesh Bank governor
Hong Kong to launch new microfinance pilot scheme
Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation says it plans to issue up to HK$100 million worth of loans as part of three-year long trial
Pakistan’s Anwar wants updated microfinance regulatory framework
State Bank of Pakistan governor Yaseen Anwar says considerable work is still needed to regulate microfinance institutions effectively
Microfinance lenders' global exposure increasing: IMF paper
Fund study shows that microfinance lenders are becoming more affected by events in international markets post-crisis
RBI asked to regulate entire microfinance sector
Reserve Bank of India to receive powers to regulate entire microfinance sector under proposed bill
Grameen Bank dodges Yunus departure by appointing Nobel Laureate as chairman
Bangladesh’s Supreme Court rejects appeal to dismissal of Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus from Grameen Bank; microlender appoints Yunus to chair its board instead
HK forms microfinance study group
Group to assess whether there is a need for microfinance provision in Hong Kong
Fiji’s Whiteside on microfinance challenges
Reserve Bank of Fiji governor Barry Whiteside says poor infrastructure presented challenges in extending financial services into the rural areas
Nobel Laureate Yunus dismissed from microlender by central bank
Bangladesh’s central bank removes Nobel Peace prize winner and founder of Grameen Bank Muhammad Yunus from helm of microlender
Bolivia appoints interim governor
Former regulator named caretaker head of Central Bank of Bolivia