Microfinance and mobile banking for the bottom of the pyramid

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to illuminate the necessary features of a microfinance mobile banking platform through the use of agents.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper, not an empirical one.

Findings

The authors illuminate the importance of specifiying what successful partnership between the mobile network operator and the microfinance organization must include and they highlight what a mobile application should include.

Social implications

There are roughly two billion unbanked mobile phone users who could be served by a partnership between mobile technology and microfinance. This type of partnership begins to address financial exclusivity among the poor.

Originality/value

The paper offers an original, detailed solution about how agents and technology can be used to help the poor access mobile banking platforms.

Citation

Reeves, M. and Sabharwal, N. (2013), "Microfinance and mobile banking for the bottom of the pyramid", Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, Vol. 7 No. 2, pp. 155-166. https://doi.org/10.1108/17506201311325805