CGAP, an independent policy and research center that is housed at the office of the World Bank Group, recently executed a soft launch of the Branchless Banking Database, which offers information on branchless banking services in 168 countries. The database, which is presented in spreadsheet format, was produced with the idea that, by leveraging networks of merchants into low-cost, highly distributed points of service for financial products, branchless banking may be poised to become the most common way for low-income households to access financial services. CGAP’s analysis of the dataset indicates in its “twelve stylized facts of branchless banking in 2011” worksheet that the “volume problem”, whereby a significantly greater number of poor households would use branchless banking on a regular basis, stands as a significant challenge. The draft version of the database is scheduled to be updated based on the compilation of further information.

By Jacqueline Foelster, Research Associate

About Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP): Housed at the World Bank Group, CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) is an independent policy and research center dedicated to facilitating the provision of financial access to poor people worldwide. CGAP is supported by approximately thirty development agencies and private foundations. Its mission is to provide market intelligence, to promote standards and to offer advisory services to governments, microfinance providers, donors and investors.

Sources and Resources:

[1] Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), February 2011, “CGAP Branchless Banking Database”, http://www.cgap.org/p/site/c/template.rc/1.9.49977/

MicroCapital.org Article, December 14, 2009, “Branchless and Mobile Banking Could Become Top Microfinance Channel by 2020 Says CGAP Focus Note”, http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-branchless-and-mobile-banking-could-become-top-microfinance-channel-by-2020-says-cgap-focus-note/

MicroCapital Microfinance Universe Profile: Consultative Group to Assist to the Poor (CGAP), http://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=CGAP+%28Consultative+Group+to+Assist+the+Poor%29

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