Event Highlights

Key Takeaways from Akbank Immersion Program

Geethanjali Jagannathan

Sustainable Finance

Apr 01, 2025

The two days program offers great insights into AKBANK’s remarkable efforts and achievements in digital design and innovation especially how the bank integrates digital technology including AI to deliver customer experiences. Serving almost one third of the SMEs market in Turkey, some of the key factors driving the bank’s significant growth in...

AI in SME Finance: Opportunities and Threats

Geethanjali Jagannathan

Digital Financial Services

Fintech

Payments

Mar 27, 2025

AI technology plays a pivotal role in revolutionizing SME finance by offering many benefits and transforming traditional practices. It brings new opportunities for the financial and non-financial institutions by automating operational workflows, harnessing alternative data sources, and building new forecasting and credit models to serve previously...

Is the rise of alternative data making credit bureaus obsolete? Not quite…

Tianxiao Fang

Credit Risk & Scoring

Mar 13, 2025

As digitalization accelerates, the use of alternative data should be seen as a complement rather than a threat to the traditional global credit bureau industry. A new blog by IFC - International Finance Corporation ’s Collen Masunda - (FCCA, CDFA, RPAC, Fulbright Fellow) explains that leveraging alternative data can significantly enhance access to...

Insurance Opportunities to Support Small Business Growth

Geethanjali Jagannathan

SME Insurance

Mar 20, 2025

During our webinar on March 19th - organized in partnership with Berne Union - our guest speakers discussed the critical role of i nsurance for SMEs . Insurance acts as a shock absorber of adverse events, provides critical risk mitigation services, encourages saving, improves access to credit, and helps attract private capital to economies. They...

SME Finance Virtual Marketplace - Digital Lenders for Small Entrepreneurs

Geethanjali Jagannathan

Digital Financial Services

Mar 13, 2025

During our latest Marketplace on March 12 th , the fintech invited highlighted how they serve small businesses in emerging markets to address the needs of underserved segments . Either through direct lending operations or partnering with financial institutions, Prestamype , Validus Q- lana , Vexi and Kaleidofin are strategically targeting small...

Scaling MSME Finance in Creative Industries

Geethanjali Jagannathan

Alternative Financing

Mar 04, 2025

During our webinar on February 26th , our guest speakers highlight ed the immense potential of creative industries in driving economic growth, creating employment, and fostering innovation. They underscore d the financing challenges faced by this sector despite its potential and the need for tailored financial products, de-risking mechanisms, and...

Round Table - Leading Innovations in SME Finance: A Leadership Perspective

Geethanjali Jagannathan

Digital Financial Services

Feb 10, 2025

Key Takeaways from the Round Table on Leading Innovations in SME Finance On December 16th, 2024, industry leaders convened for a round table session to discuss the latest trends and innovations in SME finance. This high-level gathering brought together experts who shared their insights on various innovative approaches in SME finance. Below are the...

Increasing SME Access to Working Capital: E-invoicing and Digital Credit Infrastructure

Geethanjali Jagannathan

Digital Financial Services

Jan 29, 2025

Welcome to our latest blog post where we delve into the fascinating world of SME banking. The adoption of e-invoicing is increasing rapidly, driven by the digitization of business processes and, in some markets, by government mandates.  Digital invoice repositories, whether third-party platforms or government-operated systems, are forming part of...

SME Finance Marketplace - Focus on Non-Financial Services Platforms

Geethanjali Jagannathan

Non Financial Services

Jan 22, 2025

How Non-Financial Services are Empowering SMEs NFS platforms and Commercial Bank Partnership Welcome to our latest blog post where we delve into the fascinating world of SME banking. During our latest SME Finance Marketplace on January 22, we invited three NFS platforms: International Trade Center, Strands, and Silver Lining to talk about the...

Impact Stories: Cascade Develops Asset-Based Lending Platform to Increase Accuracy, Efficiency, and Transparency

Geethanjali Jagannathan

Sustainable Finance

Jan 09, 2025

In today’s fast-paced financial landscape, loan originators need asset-based financing from institutional investors to grow their portfolios. However, the traditional fundraising process and ongoing tasks associated with managing debt facilities are operationally intensive, error-prone, and slow. Cascade set out to change that by developing an...