Partners

The Inter-American Development Bank, through the Capital Markets and Financial Institutions Division (ICF/CMF), is implementing the project called Improving Access to Financial Services of the Poor and the Unbanked (RG-T1737). The goal of the project is to expand the access of the non-banked and low-income households to more secure and lower costs financial services in Latin America and the Caribbean. The purposes are: (i) to accelerate the implementation of: (a) financial service delivery systems using innovative technologies and business models to reach the unbanked and lower income households; (b) legal and regulatory frameworks that support the implementation of these systems and provide effective consumer protection; and (c) public/private sector partnerships designed to meet the objective of the project; and (ii) to promote the understanding of these new technologies and business models by key actors in the public and private sectors. Technical assistance will be available on a competitive basis for: (i) the preparation and initial stages of implementation of financial service delivery systems for the target market; (ii) the design and implementation of supportive legal and regulatory frameworks; (iii) the development of public/private initiatives to expand access to financial services of the poor and unbanked; and (iv) the evaluation of financial service delivery systems to low-income households and the unbanked. The amount of technical assistance provided will be relatively small, between US$25,000 and US$100,000. Four projects will be selected on a competitive joint call with the Technologies for Financial Inclusion Program.

Contact:
Frank Nieder
Senior Financial Institutions Specialist,
Capital Markets and Financial Institutions Division (ICF/CMF).
Inter-American Development Bank (IADB)
Tel: + 1 202 623-3446

frankn@iadb.org
www.iadb.org

CAF – Latin America’s development bank –  “promotes sustainable development and regional integration through the efficient resource mobilization of high-value financial services for clients in the public and private sectors of its shareholder countries.” CAF recognizes the key contribution of the micro and small sector to the economies of the region in terms of growth, employment, innovation and competitiveness, and aims to mitigate the persistent shortcomings and barriers faced by this sector to access financial services by offering specific products, either financial or non financial, to support private initiatives in this regard, with special focus on microfinance.

CAF serves over 60 microfinance institutions in Latin America -and through them- contributes to improve access to financial services to excluded segments of the population and fostering economic growth with equity.

The role of CAF as strategic partner in the TEC-IN program complements and reinforces its support to both, microfinance and technological innovation, contributing to regional financial inclusion and deepening.

DAI is a global leader in supporting governments, communities and businesses to deliver social and economic development. For 40 years, DAI has implemented successful projects for the IDB, the World Bank, USAID, governments and private sector companies, among others. DAI Currently manages over 100 long-term projects in 60 countries, with 2,000 development professionals and a broader network of experienced specialists and partners in Latin America and around the world. The firm is a leader in knowledge generation for improving access to finance, including support for innovative experiences in microfinance, with a long history of experience applying best practices and contributing to the sustainable expansion of financial services to underserved populations. For the past 18 years DAI has successfully implemented projects covering a broad range of aspects of microfinance in Mexico, Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, among others, that have made DAI a point of reference on microfinance in different countries of the region. In 2009, DAI reaffirmed its commitment to development in Latin America and the Caribbean opening DAI Mexico, a locally registered subsidiary of DAI based in Mexico City. DAI Mexico focuses on understanding the frontiers of access to formal financial services and designing and implementing methodological and technological solutions based on real needs identified in the market. DAI Mexico is supporting the implementation and operation of the Technologies for Financial Inclusion Program, which includes the process of the call for ideas, the selection of ideas, developing technology strategies with partners and monitoring and evaluation of approved projects.

Contact:
Nathanael Bourns
Managing Director
DAI Mexico
Tel: + 52 55 5250-6011
nbourns@daimexico.com
www.daimexico.com