Banking through networks of retail agents

Abstract

Only about one-quarter of households in developing countries have any form of financial savings with formal banking institutions: 10 percent in Kenya, 20 percent in Macedonia, 25 percent in Mexico, 32 percent in Bangladesh. Yet access to financial services whether in the form of savings, payments, credit, or insurance is a fundamental tool for managing a family's well-being and productive capacity: to smooth expenditure when inflows are erratic (occasional work, seasonality of crops), to be able to build up purchasing power when expenditures are large and sporadic (school fees, buying seeds), or to protect against emergencies (natural disasters, death in the family). The authors have analyzed the structure and performance of agent networks in a variety of countries and how they support the goals and objectives of policy makers, banks, and mobile network operators. This focus note explains in detail how the banking agent model works and how specifically it can help banks achieve much broader and deeper reach into underserved communities.