RESOURCE CENTER

SPTF-IFC Investor Forum

Responsible Finance for Digital Inclusion: Investing for Impact

Responsible Finance for Digital Inclusion: Investing for Impact

Overview

The IFC and the SPTF Social Investor Working Group held an Investor Forum from April 3-4, 2019 at IFC’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.

 

Participants shared investment lessons in social performance and impact management, discussed recent strategies for digital transformation, and shared latest developments in impact investing tools for financial inclusion and the larger impact space, critical to achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The meeting also included deep-dive sessions about how investors in financial inclusion and digital financial services (DFS) can assess and manage increased risks in the rapidly evolving digital finance landscape. Discussions included the latest initiatives among co-founding and new signatories of the Guidelines for Investing in Responsible Digital Financial Services, and its importance toward investing for impact.

 

For any questions, contact Katie Hoffmann at katiehoffmann@sptfnetwork.org.

Agenda

View the agenda here.

Participant List

View the participant list here.

Summary Webinar

SPTF Social Investor Working Group co-chairs led a webinar in May to provide an overview of the forum discussions, as well as discuss next steps for SIWG priority topics.
Recording
Presentation

Resources

Below are presentations, minutes, and background materials for the forum.

Day 1

Introduction
What makes us impact investors?
How can investors measure and manage impact for financial inclusion and progress towards SDGs?
Responsible digital transformation of financial institutions
  • Resources

    Digital Access: The Future of Financial Inclusion in Africa    : This IFC publication documents learnings from seven years of the Partnership for Financial Inclusion program in Africa. It shares lessons learned, as well as highlights both the opportunities and the challenges in furthering financial inclusion.
    • Developing a Strategy – Pages 44-48
    • The business case for digital financial services – Pages 14-21
Digitalization and the SDGs
Updates on the Data Platform
Update on SPI4 ALINUS and SPI Online
Developing a strategy for digital transformation
Innovative partnerships for digital transformation

Day 2

Operating Principles for Impact Management: Overview and Early Lessons for Digital Finance
Responsible Investing in Digital Financial Services
Evolving Practices for Responsible Digital Financial Services
Signatory and Investor Insights: Operationalizing the Guidelines:
  • Guideline 1: Promote Responsible Investment in Digital Finance
    SPTF-CDC Webinar: Evaluating Risks and Value to Clients.
    In this introductory webinar, Alex Rizzi of the Smart Campaign outlined specific client protection risks posed by FinTech, and Pim Engels of FMO discussed how his organization is adapting its due diligence process for FinTech investments.

  • Guideline 2: Manage Risks Comprehensively with Growth of Digital Inclusion
    SPTF-CDC Webinar: Evaluating Technology Risks and Opportunities.
    In this webinar, Monica Brand of Quona Capital discussed how her institution identifies technology risks and opportunities in FinTech investments, with the aim of creating value for end clients. Quona utilizes partnerships to identify such risks, and one partner – RippleWorks – joined the call to discuss how it helps investors manage technology risks.
  • Guideline 4: Facilitate Interoperability and Infrastructure for DFS Ecosystems
    Facilitate Interoperability and Infrastructures for DFS Ecosystems – Briefing Note (Coming soon) 

    SPTF-CDC Webinar: Evaluating Risks with Agent Network Management.
    In this webinar, Venkat Attaluri of MicroSave discussed the risks associated with agent network management, as well as the questions investors can ask about this risk during due diligence and monitoring of FinTech investments.

     

  • Guideline 6: Promote Fair and Transparent Pricingè
    DEG presentation 

    Promoting Fair and Transparent Pricing – Briefing Note by DEG

    SPTF-CDC Webinar: Evaluating Pricing and Pricing Transparency.

    In this webinar, Rafe Mazer of FSD Kenya discussed whether increased scale and efficiencies in digital financial services are leading to lower prices for end-consumers. Eliud Mungai of Branch International and Peace Osangir of Kopo Kopo discussed how their organizations disclose pricing to clients.

     


    SPTF Webinar. In this May 2019 webinar, the SPTF Social Investor Working Group, Dr. Thomas Koch and Jessica Espinoza Trujano of DEG expanded on their briefing note. Isabelle Barrès of the Smart Campaign provided context for how this briefing note complements the work done to define parameters for responsible pricing in the inclusive finance sector.
    Recording; Minutes; DEG presentation; Smart Campaign presentation.

  • Guideline 7: Improve Disclosure of Terms and Conditions for Customers
    SPTF-CDC Webinar: Evaluating Repayment Capacity Analysis.
    In this webinar, Anup Singh of MicroSave and Rafe Mazer, a consumer protection expert who has worked with digital credit providers, discussed the risks associated with repayment capacity analysis and predatory marketing with respect to the sustainability and profitability of investments, as well as the impact on end-consumers.

  • Guideline 8: Enhance Customer Services For Problem Resolution and Product Innovation

  • Guideline 9: Prevent Over-indebtedness, Strengthen Digital Literacy and Financial Awareness

  • Guideline 10: Track Progress to Mitigate Risks and Expand DFS Opportunities
 
 

Practical Dreamers

Cerise+SPTF are practical dreamers. Since our origins in the late 1990s-early 2000s (when inclusive finance was better known as microfinance), there has been steadily growing interest in social performance: in making sure that vulnerable low-income clients are not exploited, and that products and services help create better lives. Many organizations have published high-level principles and frameworks. Cerise+SPTF translate those aspirations into concrete, practical actions.
Search
Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Cerise+SPTF is a joint venture between SPTF | US, SPTF | Europe, and Cerise. Cerise+SPTF pursues a common strategic plan and shares resources under a Memorandum of Understanding. For legal purposes, we remain three separate entities incorporated in, and subject to the laws of, our respective home countries.