Best practices in microsavings for successfully and sustainably reaching the poor

Global Microcredit Summit

16 November 2011

The World Savings Banks Institute (WSBI)

International retail banking association

112 members in 89 countries

Sister organisation: European Savings Banks Group (ESBG) (29 members in 25 countries)

www.savings-banks.org

Savings banks serving the low end of the market

A broad understanding of microfinance services Ad hoc microfinance vehicles and

programmes Accomodate the needs of small clients as part

of the regular banking offer

Accessible and proximity banking institutions

Low requirements to access the services

Stakeholder business model and double bottom line banking approach

Regional experiences - Europe

Fight against financial and social exclusion (self-employment, enterprise creation)

Support to finance SMEs

Cooperation with microcredit and business support actors

Regional experiences - Asia

Large outreach in rural areas through innovative channels to serve small and remote savers

Linking informal small savings to the formal banking sector

Empowering women through small savings

Introduction and promotion of a savings’ culture

Regional experiences - Africa

Utilisation of post offices to provide small balance savings accounts

Savings as a core business line

Product offer specifically targeting small balance savers

Serving women micro-entrepreneurs

Regional experiences – Latin America

Microservices offered through dedicated entities

Expansion of distribution channels through non banking agents

Remittances as an entry point to give access to savings accounts

Main challenges and opportunities moving forward

Overcoming the attractiveness of informal savings vehicles

strengthening the savings products and services offer: usability, sustainability

Improving the business environment

Regulatory framework

Institutional reform

Entering partnerships and building on complementary skills

Developing alternative distribution channels

Best practices in microsavings for successfully and sustainably reaching the poor

Global Microcredit Summit

16 November 2011