Publications
Jan 14, 2020
This note analyzes the evolution of Credit Information Systems, including the emergence of new technologies that use alternative data in credit decisioning and the opportunities and risks associated with these trends. This paper also predicts the potential development effect of these disruptive technologies and proposes a role for the World Bank...
Jun 25, 2019
This whitepaper analyzes the information content of the digital footprint – information that people leave online simply by accessing or registering on a website – for predicting consumer default. Using more than 250,000 observations, we show that even simple, easily accessible variables from the digital footprint equal or exceed the information...
Jun 19, 2019
Access to finance is an essential component of economic development and job creation. A host of studies have shown a positive correlation between financial development and economic growth. Access to finance is also critical for larger corporations and conglomerates, which, given their size, performance, and assets, typically meet funding...
May 14, 2019
This note analyzes the evolution of CISs, including the emergence of new technologies that use alternative data in credit decisioning and the opportunities and risks associated with these trends. This paper also predicts the potential development effect of these disruptive technologies and proposes a role for the World Bank Group in leveraging...
Apr 25, 2019
The Small Business Credit Survey (SBCS), a national collaboration of the 12 Federal Reserve Banks, delivers timely information on small business financing needs, decisions, and outcomes to policymakers, lenders, and service providers. The report findings provide an in-depth look at small business performance, debt holdings, and credit experiences...
Apr 22, 2019
The Small Business Lending Survey is a nationally-representative survey of U.S. banks and their small business lending practices. The report of survey findings offers new information for both small and large banks on many aspects of their small business lending. The results provide context for the implications of current bank consolidation trends...
Apr 19, 2019
The report provides a comprehensive review on the development of the so-called Micro and Small Finance (MSF) market in China, meaning credit services to Small and Micro Enterprises (MSEs), unincorporated but registered urban businesses and MSE owners. As the Chinese Medium Enterprises are relatively large, this definition corresponds more or less...
Apr 11, 2019
Since 2014, in order to better serve low-income women in Sub-Saharan Africa with financial products, Women’s World Banking and Financial Sector Deepening Africa (FSDA), an initiative funded by the U.K.’s Department for International Development (DFID), have partnered to build the capacity of leading financial institutions in Nigeria, Tanzania and...
Feb 12, 2019
IFC and Garanti Bank Romania launched a joint report highlighting the importance and impact of increasing access to finance for the country’s women entrepreneurs. “Taking Women Entrepreneurs to the Bank in Romania”, shows the impact of Garanti Bank Romania’s Women SME Banking Program. Garanti Bank was the first bank to focus on the needs of women-...
Jan 07, 2019
The report is a benchmarking index that assesses the enabling environment for financial access in 55 countries. The research underscores the evolving landscape of financial inclusion itself. This year’s index was completely revised to take a forward-looking focus on digital financial services, and to address the critical role of financial...