A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
The value chain of financial services is no exception.
Cerise+SPTF works at the market systems level to promote responsible business practices—and create positive outcomes for people and the planet. We coordinate our activities with all major stakeholders, including regulators, investors, associations, consultants, and financial service providers, to build a strong financial ecosystem in each country, with a shared understanding of what good practice is and how to implement it.
For responsible inclusive finance to fulfill its promise—empowered customers using safe, affordable, convenient, and effective financial services to seize opportunities and manage risks—all the actors in the chain must do their parts. It is not enough for consumers to be financially literate if they have no access to appropriate services. It is not enough for financial service providers to have good intentions if they lack tools to translate those intentions into strong social and environmental performance. It is not enough to have strong regulatory frameworks without rating agencies to assess providers’ compliance.
Cerise+SPTF works on all fronts at once.
Demand side
Supply side
Our signature product, the Universal Standards for Social and Environmental Performance Management, is the roadmap for financial service providers to turn their good intentions into actions—and impact. Financial service providers work towards applying the Standards, and we work continually on tools that help that process.
Regulators
We provide strategic counsel to strengthen regulation on client protection. We also share global best practices on regulation and client protection. Multiple regulators have adopted our standards and indicators in their supervision tools.
Investors
Ensuring that their partners and clients are implementing the accepted global standards via the use of covenants. Our Social Investor Working Group, or SIWG, consists of the leading impact investors in inclusive finance.
Support
Cerise+SPTF maintains the SEPM Pros network of qualified experts to help financial service providers in implementing social and environmental performance management, and chart the path to success. Cerise+SPTF manages facilities to co-fund projects, and oversees the methodology for the Client Protection Pathway.
Related Work and Publications
Blog Post
Enfoque basado en los sistemas de mercado en Nicaragua
Durante los últimos diez años, Cerise+SPTF ha trabajado en Nicaragua para apoyar “una recuperación arraigada en la solidaridad”. Hemos producido un podcast que presenta este proceso a través de las perspectivas de profesionales de diversos grupos de interés.
Market System Approach in Nicaragua
Over the last ten years, Cerise+SPTF has been engaged in Nicaragua to support “a recovery rooted in solidarity”. We’ve produced a podcast that revisits this journey through the eyes of practitioners from a variety of stakeholder groups.
Blog Post
Approche systémique au sein du marché financier au Bénin
Cerise+SPTF est engagée au Bénin depuis de nombreuses années. Aujourd’hui, une approche systématique et structurée est mise en œuvre à travers plusieurs initiatives complémentaires.
Market System Approach in Benin
Cerise+SPTF has been engaged in Benin for many years. Today, a systematic and structured approach is being implemented through several complementary initiatives.
Blog Post
Enfoque basado en los sistemas de mercado en la República Dominicana
En 2025, Cerise+SPTF puso en marcha un proyecto de enfoque basado en los sistemas de mercado en la República Dominicana con financiación del Banco Europeo de Inversiones (BEI).
Market System Approach in the Dominican Republic
In 2025, Cerise+SPTF launched a market systems approach project in the Dominican Republic with funding from European Investment Bank (EIB).
