Globally, nearly half of all adults are financially marginalized and do not have a back account. For the unbanked, it is a challenge to gain access to banks and the services they offer. For banks, it is a challenge to reach the unbanked. At this two-day conference on financial inclusion, more than 50 researchers and financial industry leaders from around the world presented original research and experiences in bridging the gap between the unbanked and the banking sector. Dr. Guillermo Ortiz, chairman of Grupo Financiero Banorte-IXE, current member of G30, and former governor of the Bank of Mexico delivered the conference keynote address. Additional sessions focused on microfinance, remittances, and mobile banking. This event was organized by the SWIFT Institute and HKS’ Ash Center and Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government.

Globally, nearly half of all adults are financially marginalized and do not have a back account. For the unbanked, it is a challenge to gain access to banks and the services they offer. For banks, it is a challenge to reach the unbanked. At this two-day conference on financial inclusion, more than 50 researchers and financial industry leaders from around the world presented original research and experiences in bridging the gap between the unbanked and the banking sector. Dr. Guillermo Ortiz, chairman of Grupo Financiero Banorte-IXE, current member of G30, and former governor of the Bank of Mexico delivered the conference keynote address. Additional sessions focused on microfinance, remittances, and mobile banking. This event was organized by the SWIFT Institute and HKS’ Ash Center and Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government.

Globally, nearly half of all adults are financially marginalized and do not have a back account. For the unbanked, it is a challenge to gain access to banks and the services they offer. For banks, it is a challenge to reach the unbanked. At this two-day conference on financial inclusion, more than 50 researchers and financial industry leaders from around the world presented original research and experiences in bridging the gap between the unbanked and the banking sector. Dr. Guillermo Ortiz, chairman of Grupo Financiero Banorte-IXE, current member of G30, and former governor of the Bank of Mexico delivered the conference keynote address. Additional sessions focused on microfinance, remittances, and mobile banking. This event was organized by the SWIFT Institute and HKS’ Ash Center and Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government.

The Special Advocate joined Mexican leaders including President Enrique Peña Nieto (to her right) and Secretary Meade (left).

100 participants #EfmaBankingAfrica from 20 countries gather this week in Joburg for the 1st Efma African Retail Banking Summit

Globally, nearly half of all adults are financially marginalized and do not have a back account. For the unbanked, it is a challenge to gain access to banks and the services they offer. For banks, it is a challenge to reach the unbanked. At this two-day conference on financial inclusion, more than 50 researchers and financial industry leaders from around the world presented original research and experiences in bridging the gap between the unbanked and the banking sector. Dr. Guillermo Ortiz, chairman of Grupo Financiero Banorte-IXE, current member of G30, and former governor of the Bank of Mexico delivered the conference keynote address. Additional sessions focused on microfinance, remittances, and mobile banking. This event was organized by the SWIFT Institute and HKS’ Ash Center and Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government.

Globally, nearly half of all adults are financially marginalized and do not have a back account. For the unbanked, it is a challenge to gain access to banks and the services they offer. For banks, it is a challenge to reach the unbanked. At this two-day conference on financial inclusion, more than 50 researchers and financial industry leaders from around the world presented original research and experiences in bridging the gap between the unbanked and the banking sector. Dr. Guillermo Ortiz, chairman of Grupo Financiero Banorte-IXE, current member of G30, and former governor of the Bank of Mexico delivered the conference keynote address. Additional sessions focused on microfinance, remittances, and mobile banking. This event was organized by the SWIFT Institute and HKS’ Ash Center and Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government.

Globally, nearly half of all adults are financially marginalized and do not have a back account. For the unbanked, it is a challenge to gain access to banks and the services they offer. For banks, it is a challenge to reach the unbanked. At this two-day conference on financial inclusion, more than 50 researchers and financial industry leaders from around the world presented original research and experiences in bridging the gap between the unbanked and the banking sector. Dr. Guillermo Ortiz, chairman of Grupo Financiero Banorte-IXE, current member of G30, and former governor of the Bank of Mexico delivered the conference keynote address. Additional sessions focused on microfinance, remittances, and mobile banking. This event was organized by the SWIFT Institute and HKS’ Ash Center and Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government.

Globally, nearly half of all adults are financially marginalized and do not have a back account. For the unbanked, it is a challenge to gain access to banks and the services they offer. For banks, it is a challenge to reach the unbanked. At this two-day conference on financial inclusion, more than 50 researchers and financial industry leaders from around the world presented original research and experiences in bridging the gap between the unbanked and the banking sector. Dr. Guillermo Ortiz, chairman of Grupo Financiero Banorte-IXE, current member of G30, and former governor of the Bank of Mexico delivered the conference keynote address. Additional sessions focused on microfinance, remittances, and mobile banking. This event was organized by the SWIFT Institute and HKS’ Ash Center and Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government.

06 December 2013, Hangachafa Village, Hawassa, (Awasa Zuria Woreda, Sidama Zone, SNNP region), Ethiopia - Surafel Eyiso, a 23-year old farmer, feeds his cows the remains of stalks following harvesting. Surafel has two young children ( 2 and 5 years of age) with Mabrat Eyiso, 20 years old. FAO, IFAD and WFP work closely together in Ethiopia. The Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region (SNNPR) is one of the nine administrative regions of Ethiopia, with Hawassa the capital. The SNNP region has a population estimated at over 16 million people and the majority -- 90 percent -- are smallholder farmers living in rural areas. With 136 Woredas, the region mainly produces maize, haricot beans, teff and coffee, while various populations are agro-pastoralists and pastoralist.

The projects supported by IFAD, FAO and WFP provide an array of complimentary support to small-scale farmers and cooperative unions. Food-security interventions are boosting access to some basic financial services, including bank loans, which were previously unavailable to agricultural cooperative unions and their members. Increased access to those services is, in turn, helping the farmers build a more food-secure future for themselves and their families. Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands (UN Secretary General Special Advocate for Financial Inclusion, UNSGSA) and the three food agencies of the United Nations are teaming up in Ethiopia and Tanzania to raise awareness of how access to financial services – such as bank accounts, short-term credit, small loans, savings and insurance – can help improve the lives and livelihoods of smallholder farmers and the rural poor.

Photo credit must be given: ©FAO/IFAD/WFP/Petterik Wiggers. Editorial use only.

Globally, nearly half of all adults are financially marginalized and do not have a back account. For the unbanked, it is a challenge to gain access to banks and the services they offer. For banks, it is a challenge to reach the unbanked. At this two-day conference on financial inclusion, more than 50 researchers and financial industry leaders from around the world presented original research and experiences in bridging the gap between the unbanked and the banking sector. Dr. Guillermo Ortiz, chairman of Grupo Financiero Banorte-IXE, current member of G30, and former governor of the Bank of Mexico delivered the conference keynote address. Additional sessions focused on microfinance, remittances, and mobile banking. This event was organized by the SWIFT Institute and HKS’ Ash Center and Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government.

Globally, nearly half of all adults are financially marginalized and do not have a back account. For the unbanked, it is a challenge to gain access to banks and the services they offer. For banks, it is a challenge to reach the unbanked. At this two-day conference on financial inclusion, more than 50 researchers and financial industry leaders from around the world presented original research and experiences in bridging the gap between the unbanked and the banking sector. Dr. Guillermo Ortiz, chairman of Grupo Financiero Banorte-IXE, current member of G30, and former governor of the Bank of Mexico delivered the conference keynote address. Additional sessions focused on microfinance, remittances, and mobile banking. This event was organized by the SWIFT Institute and HKS’ Ash Center and Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government.

100 participants #EfmaBankingAfrica from 20 countries gather this week in Joburg for the 1st Efma African Retail Banking Summit

Approximately 2 billion adults across the world are excluded from the formal financial system. Digital technologies create opportunities to expand access to and usage of affordable financial services among underserved groups. However, scaling these products and services to reach marginalized communities requires strong commitment, coordination, and follow-through from public and private sector stakeholders.

The Brookings Financial and Digital Inclusion Project (FDIP) team assesses the financial inclusion ecosystems of 26 geographically, politically, and economically diverse countries based on four dimensions of financial inclusion: country commitment, mobile capacity, regulatory environment, and adoption of selected traditional and digital financial services.

In the second annual FDIP Report, Brookings experts John D. Villasenor, Darrell M. West, and Robin J. Lewis build upon the findings of the first annual FDIP report, published in August 2015, by analyzing key changes in the global financial inclusion landscape over the previous year, adding five new countries to the study, and providing recommendations aimed at advancing financial inclusion among marginalized groups, including women, migrants, refugees, and youth.

On August 4, the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings held a forum to launch the 2016 FDIP Report and discuss key research findings and recommendations. Experts representing several countries featured in the FDIP study offered their perspectives on advancing financial inclusion during a moderated discussion. After the session, panelists will took audience questions.

Photos by Steven Purcell

100 participants #EfmaBankingAfrica from 20 countries gather this week in Joburg for the 1st Efma African Retail Banking Summit

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PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Jan. 17, 2010) Pallets of food, water and supplies sit on the flight line at the airport as a MH-53E helicopter from Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14 awaits to be on loaded with supplies. Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing 17 are conducting humanitarian and disaster relief operations as part of Operation Unified Response after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake caused severe damage in Haiti Jan. 12. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Candice Villarreal/Released)

Globally, nearly half of all adults are financially marginalized and do not have a back account. For the unbanked, it is a challenge to gain access to banks and the services they offer. For banks, it is a challenge to reach the unbanked. At this two-day conference on financial inclusion, more than 50 researchers and financial industry leaders from around the world presented original research and experiences in bridging the gap between the unbanked and the banking sector. Dr. Guillermo Ortiz, chairman of Grupo Financiero Banorte-IXE, current member of G30, and former governor of the Bank of Mexico delivered the conference keynote address. Additional sessions focused on microfinance, remittances, and mobile banking. This event was organized by the SWIFT Institute and HKS’ Ash Center and Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government.

Globally, nearly half of all adults are financially marginalized and do not have a back account. For the unbanked, it is a challenge to gain access to banks and the services they offer. For banks, it is a challenge to reach the unbanked. At this two-day conference on financial inclusion, more than 50 researchers and financial industry leaders from around the world presented original research and experiences in bridging the gap between the unbanked and the banking sector. Dr. Guillermo Ortiz, chairman of Grupo Financiero Banorte-IXE, current member of G30, and former governor of the Bank of Mexico delivered the conference keynote address. Additional sessions focused on microfinance, remittances, and mobile banking. This event was organized by the SWIFT Institute and HKS’ Ash Center and Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government.

Search and rescue teams from France, Haiti, Turkey, and the United States, along with members of the U.S. Air Force 23rd Special Tactics Squadron cut a hole in the roof of a collapsed market Jan. 19, 2010, during their search for a Haitian woman in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The U.S. military is conducting humanitarian and disaster relief operations as part of Operation Unified Response after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake caused severe damage in Haiti Jan. 12, 2010. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael C. Barton, U.S. Navy/Released)

100 participants #EfmaBankingAfrica from 20 countries gather this week in Joburg for the 1st Efma African Retail Banking Summit

During her visit to Indonesia, the Special Advocate met with small shopkeepers who are beginning to conduct their businesses and look after their finances digitally. Aug. 31, 2016. (Photo UNSGSA/Oktobernardi Salam)

Globally, nearly half of all adults are financially marginalized and do not have a back account. For the unbanked, it is a challenge to gain access to banks and the services they offer. For banks, it is a challenge to reach the unbanked. At this two-day conference on financial inclusion, more than 50 researchers and financial industry leaders from around the world presented original research and experiences in bridging the gap between the unbanked and the banking sector. Dr. Guillermo Ortiz, chairman of Grupo Financiero Banorte-IXE, current member of G30, and former governor of the Bank of Mexico delivered the conference keynote address. Additional sessions focused on microfinance, remittances, and mobile banking. This event was organized by the SWIFT Institute and HKS’ Ash Center and Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government.

Visa shares its interactive Financial Inclusion map at Mobile World Congress, showcasing its financial inclusion work around the world.