Study Visit to Trefi and the next generation of SME ease of doing business and access to finance

During the annual flagship event Global SME Finance Forum 2019 held last October, the SME Finance Forum organized ten study visits. The Forum's study visits are an integral part of the peer learning opportunities. During these visits, organized in Amsterdam and other Dutch cities, visitors had the opportunity to learn about the latest fintech innovations and good practice in SME banking and non-financial services from local institutions. 

Community of Practice (CoP): Risk Management -  2019 Meeting in Amsterdam

The SME Finance Forum established the Risk Management Community of Practice (CoP) with the primary goal to foster the exchange of ideas, practical experiences, and new approaches to credit risk identification, monitoring and management, which can further improve the FIs’ operational effectiveness and efficiency, and benefit their SME clients.

SME Finance Forum members have opportunities to influence policy outcomes under Saudi G20 Presidency

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for 90% of all operational businesses, two thirds of employment worldwide, and half of world’s GDP. Despite their important role as the engine of growth, the enabling policy environment in many countries is not well suited to their growth and they very often lack access to financing to grow their businesses.

According to the G20, the global SME financing gap is significant. Over 200-245 million SMEs worldwide are in need of financing to invest, grow and create employment opportunities. 

Investors Predict Tech, Finance Companies With More Gender Diversity Will See Stock Prices Rise: Study

A study by Stanford University, Northwestern University, Dartmouth College and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology found investors are more likely to bet that a company will see its stock prices rise if it reported “higher-than-average” gender diversity among its staff.

Article via The Washington Informer.


 

ESAF Small Finance Bank Joins 160 Other Financial Institutions to Promote SME Finance 

Washington, D.C., September 12th, 2019 – ESAF Small Finance Bank became the newest member of the SME Finance Forum, a global membership network that brings together financial institutions, technology companies, and development finance institutions to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of SMEs. 

Member News: Grab in talks to merge Indonesian payment firms to overtake Gojek

SoftBank-backed ride hailer Grab is in talks to merge OVO, an Indonesian digital payments firm in which it owns shares, with an Ant Financial-backed local peer to build heft and power ahead of archrival Gojek, people familiar with the matter said. 
Grab and Gojek are the top-two startup brands in Southeast Asia, valued at $14 billion and $10 billion, respectively, according to sources. They compete in a host of areas including financial services, e-commerce, ride-hailing and food delivery.

Bank loans to SMEs in Korea surge on new rule to promote corporate loans

Bank lending to small- and medium-sized enterprises in South Korea surged nearly 30 trillion won ($25 billion) over a year on new regulations aimed to increase funding for the smaller business sector and contain household loans. Market analysts attributed the surge in banks’ SME loans to the country’s new loan-to-deposit ratio (LDR) rule, requiring lenders to increase loans to companies and reduce the share of consumer loans.

News via The Pulse News Korea
 

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