Report – Impact of COVID-19 on the Microfinance Sector: Focus on the Caucasus Region
Research finds that the Symbiotics portfolio is recovering from the crisis stemming from the pandemic and its partners from the Caucasus region are following a similar trend, but at a slower pace.
Three Actions to Expand Women’s Financial Inclusion in the Midst of COVID-19
International Women's Forum member Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President & CEO of Women’s World Banking, shares three key points for expanding women’s financial inclusion in response to the impact of the ongoing pandemic.
Outlook for Non-Banks and Housing Financiers Shifts to "Improving" From "Stable"
The credit rating agency opined that adequate system liquidity, along with sufficient capital buffers, provides enough cushion to navigate the challenges from a subdued operating environment.
Africa’s Financial Regulators Prioritize de-Risking of Vulnerable Groups
Women, youth and micro, small and medium enterprises in Africa are most at-risk of financial exclusion during COVID-19, say Bank of Tanzania and Alliance for Financial Inclusion.
IFC and FMO Partner With I&M Bank Ltd. to Support Small and Medium-Sized Businesses in Kenya
The loan will help smaller businesses across a range of sectors in Kenya access financing for working capital, expansion, and to weather the effects of COVID-19.
IFC Supports Garanti BBVA Leasing to Boost Financing for Small Businesses in Romania, Accelerate Recovery
Small and medium-sized enterprises in Romania will improve their access to finance with a new investment that aims to support SMEs, including women entrepreneurs impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thailand's Fintech Comes of Age
Ongoing shifts toward e-commerce, digital payments (including contactless), and instant payments have all been significantly boosted during the pandemic with real-time payments surging by 104 percent.
Final Report on SME Finance Loans for Growth Impact Showcases the Results of a Four-Year Collaboration Between Symbiotics, UBS and SECO
The fourth and final SME Finance Loans for Growth (LFG) impact report shows how SMEs in emerging and frontier markets benefit from access to finance, as well as how they were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.