Author: Winnie Banice

Of interest is the comparison between costs and insight into the differences in the various channel transactions and across the banks. 

In developed countries, the five main objectives of European microfinance are job creation, promoting micro-enterprises, financial and social inclusion, and empowerment of specific target groups.  Microfinance in developed countries has loan ceilings which above those amounts, there is the option of co-financing. As many scholars have pointed out, credit alone can’t bring development. It is a combination of things that bring about development. However, Microfinance mainly in developing countries is largely concerned with scaling their businesses and pay less concern to their impact on society. Some scholars and researchers in the field argue that the reason they rarely concern themselves…

The FSD (Financial Sector Deepening) Annual lecture was delivered by Dr. David Ferrand, former Director of FSD Kenya, at the University of Nairobi Chandaria Auditorium.  The lecture was in its fifth year with a promise to facilitate debate on the long-term vision of the financial sector in Kenya. Dr. Ferrand began with looking at the past, what has been some distinguishing factors of the enterprises that did exceptionally well in the last decade. Solving real-life problems:   The successful startups and financial products that carried the day in the country mainly include products and services that solve real-world problems. …

The bank is not in the business of selling assets, and so the answer will always be – no, you need a business that has been operational for at least one year. 

There have been several launches of programs aimed to boost financial literacy and educate the SME’s, ranging from the World Bank, Barclays Bank, to Co-operative Bank.  What they all aim to achieve is a knowledgeable customer who is aware of running enterprises efficiently and utilizing loans in order to make timely repayments and also come back for bigger betters. The question then remains, with an educated population, many who have taken their Certified Public Accountants (CPA) and holding Degrees, what do such forums cover that add value to the attendees? Even with owners holding high education credentials, some MSME’s need…

As mobile banking rapidly evolves and competition becomes rampant, the question remains how much good versus damage is left in its wake? As banks join Fintech companies in offering credit loans, the target market for these loans continue to borrow more for regular household use and gambling. The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) is also actively playing part in the race to grab a market share by steering the Stawi mobile loan, in partnership with five banks, which is aimed at benefiting small and medium-sized enterprises. Even as this develops, no clear regulations have been set and no regulatory body…