Digitalizing Microfinance in Europe The paper summarizes the results of the survey on the use of fintech solutions and digitalization of the customer relations and lending process among MFIs in Europe. While there is a widespread recognition about the need to use digital processes to a larger degree, the ability and willingness of MFIs to do that varies greatly. The ...

Proposal for a revised EU definition of microfinance and microcredit The existing EU definition of microfinance i.e. the maximum amount of 25.000 € is not satisfactory as it does not recognize the specificities and the developments of the sector. MFC and EMN joined forced and in consultation with their Members in 2017 worked out a new definition of microcredit and ...

Big data and fintech: a solution to financial exclusion? 17 October 2017 (9:00 am – 4:30 pm), Place du Congrès, 1 – 1000 Brussels The aim of the conference co-organised by ECRI, BEUC and EFIN, is to explore, from the financial inclusion perspective, both the potential risks and the potential benefits for everyone in society of innovations in financial services products ...

As part of the project exploring the ecosystem for start-ups in Europe, the MFC team will meet with microfinance institutions, NGOs, state bodies and others engaged in supporting new enterprises. We will talk about the current efforts in helping start-up enterprises and will brainstorm on the possible ways of scaling up the efforts. On 11th and 12th of September, meetings ...

  Dear Readers, Our second project newsletter brings you important milestones for the EaSI TA project: namely the successful completion of the Second Call for Expression of Interest, as well as the conclusion of the pilot phase of the EU Code of Good Conduct for Microcredit Provision (“the Code”). We are pleased to share updates to the Code, as well as ...

Please take part in our annual barometer survey and let us know about your experience using EU programs and instruments, as well as about over-indebtedness issues in your country. Find out more here

Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to learn and network with diverse alternative finance professionals representing a variety of business models and types of services. Alternative Finance Forum: Between Fintech and Social Finance Date:         October 5, 2017 Time:         9:00 – 17:00 Location:  Copernicus Conference Centre, Warsaw, Poland   Join us for this Alternative Finance Forum: Between ...

In 2017, we announced the winner of our third annual Financial Inclusion Ambassador Award, to recognize members and partners for their financial inclusion advocacy work. This year, we awarded organizations that significantly contributed to promotion or advocacy for financial inclusion at a national and regional level. Specifically, we looked for organizations that engaged in a dialogue that led to a ...

ACAF (Spain), the Self-Funded Communities Association, is a non-profit organization founded in 2004 and based in Barcelona. The organization focuses on the creation and follow-up of saving groups as a way of fighting social and financial exclusion. Learn more   Erste Group Bank AG (Austria) Founded in 1819 as the first Austrian savings bank, Erste Group went public in 1997 with ...

The European Commission in the frame of its Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) Programme has launched a fully renovated Helpdesk, which will assist all institutions and individuals interested in European microfinance. The service is addressed to microfinance and guarantee granting institutions, public and private banks, local and regional authorities, networks, business incubators, research centres and potential clients from EU Member ...