Category: Finance

Social Security is one of the federal government’s biggest programs. Roughly 67 million Americans, most of whom are 65 or older, received Social Security benefits in 2023. An estimated 183 million workers paid the Social Security payroll taxes that provided the bulk of the nearly US$1.4 trillion in benefits that year, which consumed 21% of […]

Can loans to low-income customers be delivered fully digitally, with no people or paper involved, while still protecting customer interests and maintaining portfolio quality? Enter x-techs. A digital-first MFI built for scale Avanti Finance (a member of CGAP’s ABERA cohort) is a digital-first non-banking financial company that aims to make financial services affordable and accessible […]

Artificial intelligence (AI) is not a novel concept in finance; so, what is driving renewed interest in addressing regulatory gaps around the technology? A straightforward answer is that the rapid pace of AI developments requires both proactive and adaptive responses from multiple country authorities and intergovernmental bodies. Currently, there are global variations in the scope […]

The global risk landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, posing significant threats to attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As extreme weather, macroeconomic shocks, conflict, and other risks intensify and intertwine, they can create ripple effects that amplify existing vulnerabilities and put both human and development progress in peril. People living in poverty bear […]

Artificial intelligence (AI) will fundamentally change the financial sector for years to come. The integration of AI technologies – such as machine learning, natural language processing, generative AI (GenAI), and advanced data analytics – will enable financial institutions to optimize their operations, enhance customer experiences, develop innovative products, and better manage risks. AI is already […]

Open finance in India has grown rapidly in the last year. As of December 2024, 120 million accounts had been linked through Account Aggregators (AAs) – India’s version of open finance – up from 39 million in December 2023. According to Sahamati’s annual report, more than 570 regulated financial entities were a part of the […]

Financial health – or financial well-being – is a multidimensional concept that encompasses an individual’s ability to manage finances, cope with shocks, pursue goals, and feel confident about their financial future. Measuring financial health could help government authorities, in particular financial sector authorities, develop policies, regulations, and supervisory tools that enhance financial capability, promote financial […]

BUENOS AIRES / WASHINGTON, April 9, 2025 — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) confirmed Tuesday that it has reached a staff-level agreement with Argentina on a US$20 billion, 48-month loan programme, marking a key development in President Javier Milei’s drive to stabilize the country’s fragile economy. The agreement now awaits formal approval from the IMF’s […]

Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies have a unique opportunity to accelerate the growth of B2B e-commerce platforms that serve micro-retailers or neighborhood shops – also called kiranas, dukas, and many other names. In emerging economies, these shops provide essential goods, create employment, and play a crucial role in local economies and community life. They serve […]

Tax Day is right around the corner – an annual reminder that without the option to file jointly, singles pay more per dollar earned than married people. Tax advantages are just one of over 1,000 legal and economic benefits married couples enjoy, a disparity worsened by marketplace and employer practices. Despite its disadvantages, single living […]