“Can Money Buy You Happiness?“, Alphina Jos, Rosalind Piggot, Mukul Singh, Sonal Agarwal and Jaspreet Singh, MicroSave 2013
This report investigates how low-income working-age respondents think of old age and how they prepare for it. While many know that they can no longer rely on the extended family, few are able to prioritize old-age provisioning
“Access to Credit in Andhra Pradesh Post Microfinance Crisis”, Alphina Jos, A. Ghiyazuddin Mohammad, Nishant Kumar, and Anjaneyulu Ballem, MicroSave 2013
A study conducted by MicroSave in Andhra Pradesh in 2011 highlighted the importance of MFIs as a source of accessible micro-credit for the low-income segment.
“Making the Business Correspondent (BC) Model work for Self-Help Groups (SHGs)”, Alphina Jos, A. Ghiyazuddin Mohammad, Nishant Kumar, Ritika Srivastava, and Anjaneyulu Ballem, MicroSave 2013
This case study highlights the SHG-BC model, how the model can be further improved, and factors that contributed to the success of the model
“Implementing a Bank Supervised Agent Network”, Alphina Jos, Denny George, and Nitin Garg, MicroSave 2013
In this Note, we explore how banks can potentially address challenges associated with pursuing a “bank managed/supervised” approach to agent networks in the business correspondent model
“Bank Managed Agent Networks – The Challenges”, Alphina Jos, Denny George, and Harsh Pandey, MicroSave 2013
This paper discusses the challenges banks are likely to face in building and managing their own agent networks.
“The Case for a Bank Managed Agent Network in the Business Correspondent Model”, Alphina Jos, Denny George and Nitin Garg, MicroSave 2013
In this Note, we outline the core incentives to adopt a directly managed agent network.
“Mobile Money – Influencers of success”, Alphina Jos, Denny George, Harsh Pandery, Mukesh Sadana, Ritesh Dhawan, Raunak Kapoor, Shivshankar V, MicroSave 2013
In this study, we attempt to examine some notable mobile money deployments across the globe.
“Are Banks and Microfinance Institutions Natural Partners in Financial Inclusion?”, Alphina Jos, Ignacio Mas, Akhand Tiwari, Denny George, Krishna Thacker, Nitin Garg, Raunak Kapoor, Shivshankar V, Swati Mehta, Vartika Shukla, MicroSave 2012
This report presents the case of MFIs as one potentially viable channel with which banks can collaborate to reach the base of the pyramid market more economically. It also details the top strategic and operational choices that MFIs need to make before they function as a BC as well as the way forward.
“Beyond Remittances – How to Expand Your Mobile Money Product Suite”, Alphina Jos, Graham A.N Wright, MicroSave 2011
This Note discusses Remittance, the most common entry point for mobile money systems as it not only addresses significant pain points for customers but also builds trust in the system.
“When You Can’t Save Up – Saving Down and Saving Through”, Alphina Jos, Minakshi Ramji, MicroSave 2011
This Note discusses how low-income households move financial value through time using loans and chit funds in order to access large sums of money.
“Institutional or Individual BCs – The Banker’s Perspective”, Alphina Jos, Minakshi Ramji, MicroSave 2011
This Note provides perspective on how individual and institutional BCs are perceived by banks. The Note examines how banks might choose between the two approaches, by using the decision parameters such as:
- Customer Acquisition and Outreach,
- Customer Relationship and Retention,
- Control: Monitoring and Support, and,
- Resources.
It serves as a starting point for discussion and decision-making for banks interested in entering the BC business, and for BCNMs interested in partnering with them
“Institutional or Individual BCs – The Client’s Perspective”, Alphina Jos, Minakshi Ramji, MicroSave 2011
This Note is the first of a two-part series, which provides some perspective on how individual business correspondents (BCs) and institutional BCs are perceived by clients and banks.This Note approaches the question from the client’s perspective. It concludes that institutional BCs have the advantage of delivering better on most of the key parameters: trust and customer relationship; quality of service delivery; consumer protection and cash availability, primarily because the BCNMs are dedicated to, and focused on, the success of the overall system. In the case of individual BCs, clients may find that the local bank branch does not have the motivation or the resources to provide dedicated teams to provide superior service. This is especially true in India where the banks prefer to outsource their priority sector/financial inclusion activities (for both credit and savings).
“Relative Risk to the Savings of the Poor in Tamil Nadu”, Alphina Jos, V. Shivshankar, Stanley Thomas, Minakshi Ramji MicroSave 2011
In order to understand how poor people save and the relative risks involved, MicroSave conducted a study in three different Indian states – Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu this past year. This paper focuses on Tamil Nadu
“Relative Risk to the Savings of the Poor in Rajasthan”, Alphina Jos, Minakshi Ramji, Akhand Tiwari, Akhilesh Kumar, Anurodh Giri, Abhishek Lahiri and Ritesh Dhawan, MicroSave 2011
In order to understand how poor people save and the relative risks involved, MicroSave conducted a study in three different Indian states – Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu this past year. This paper highlights learning from Rajasthan.
“Understanding Remittance Networks – Gujarat, Orissa and Bihar”, Alphina Jos, Minakshi Ramji, Akhand Tiwari, Akhilesh Kumar, Anurodh Giri, and Ritesh Dhawan, MicroSave 2011.
This research explores the remittance options currently available to Indian migrant workers in Gujarat and recipient families in rural Orissa and Bihar. It also examines the benefits of a business correspondent remittance service.
“FINO’s Electronic Benefit Transfer System for Tendu Leaf Collectors – A Study”, Alphina Jos, Abhay Parek, Mukul Singh, MicroSave 2011
The current case study attempts to look at few EBT system set up by FINO in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Forest Corporation Ltd. for the rural producers.
“Cost and Willingness to Pay in Tamil Nadu”, Alphina Jos, Denny George, V. Shivshankar, Stanley Thomas and A. Ghiyazuddin Mohammad, MicroSave 2011
This multi-region study focuses specifically on the services business correspondents provide in rural areas – and whether or not this particular customer segment thinks the greater convenience and other potential benefits are worth paying for.
“Exploring Reasons for Dormancy in No Frills Savings Accounts in Tamil Nadu”, Alphina Jos, Denny George, V. Shivshankar, Stanley Thomas and A. Ghiyazuddin Mohammad, assisted by Akhilesh Kumar, MicroSave 2011
This research aims to understand the reasons for widespread dormancy in No Frills Accounts opened through various service providers like public and private sector banks, RRBs and business correspondents.
“Cost and Willingness to Pay in Uttar Pradesh”, Alphina Jos, Akhand Tiwari, Akhilesh Kumar, Anurodh Giri, Priyank Mishra, Sanchin Bansal, Vartika Shukla, and Ritesh Dhawan with Ann-Byrd Platt and Graham A.N. Wright, MicroSave 2010
This multi-region study focuses specifically on the services business correspondents provide in rural areas – and whether or not this particular customer segment thinks the greater convenience and other potential benefits are worth paying for.
“Review of Savings Options for MFIs in India”, Alphina Jos, Denny George, Sachin Kumar, Veena Yamini and Krishna Thacker, MicroSave 2010
This paper provides information on the savings products available in India and provides a review of the different options by comparative analysis and by listing out the pros and cons of each.