Business Correspodent Model: A Preliminary Exploration
October 2009, Electronic version
Since its inception in 2006, various banks have promoted the BC model in all corners of the country, though few of these efforts have scaled up beyond modest pilots. There is scarce documentation on how these pilots work in the field and whether they contribute to the BC model’s financial inclusion objectives. Thus, before endorsingthe existing business correspondent model as an effective channel for financial inclusion, there are a number of key questions that must be answered. Are BC’s bringing the unbanked into the formal banking system? Who are the clients of BC’s and what are their needs? How are incentives and regulations aligned for the banks, BC’s and other entities involved? Are the institutional setups between BC’s and the promoting banks efficient and scalable? The Centre for Micro Finance gathered information from four BC model implementations to help fill this knowledge gap. Based on the preliminary findings presented herein, CMF hopes to conduct further research on the model.

Meeting the Needs of the Unbanked in Jharkhand State
November 2008, Electronic version

To better understand Jharkhand's challenges in achieving financial inclusion and economic growth, this study gathers a wide range of perspectives on the status and future potential of expanding the outreach of financial services in the state's banking and non-banking sectors. The perspectives include apex institutions, public and private banks, microfinance institutions and NGOs; it aims to, in aggregate, provide an overview of who is working towards poverty alleviation in the state and the challenges they face.

Fighting Malaria with Microfinance: BISWA Case Study
October 2008, Electronic version

This case study highlights BISWA Microfinance’s pilot project in which they offered SHG members across 50 villages the opportunity to purchase bednets through cash or credit contracts.  The paper focuses on the process of developing the product and the key challenges and lessons gleaned during implementation. 

Implementing Health Insurance through Micro-credit: SKS Microfinance
September 2008, Electronic version

This report documents the steps involved in SKS' development of the health insurance product from conceptualization to rollout to operational processes and challenges. These insights will help other microfinance institutions with design and rollout of their own insurance products.

Client Profiling Study: A Qualitative Study of Experiences of Female Microfinance Clients
December 2007, Electronic version [390 KB]

This study uses in-depth interviews to understand how women decide to be clients of an MFI, which factors guide loan usage and repayment, and women's negotiating powers within the household. The focus is on the micro-credit client rather than the MFI.

What Savings Products do People Want?
June 2007, Electronic version

This exploratory study, conducted in Tamil Nadu, explores how low-income people save without access to a formal bank account. Using this analysis, the authors also explore what types of savings products would best serve this target group.