Category: Finance

One of the clearest messages from CGAP’s initial work on climate change is that there is significant reason to worry about growing climate risk undermining the noteworthy progress that’s been made worldwide on financial inclusion.  Today, CGAP can share early evidence from Pakistan that confirms our fears. Pakistan has been beset by climate impacts over […]

President Donald Trump has long been preoccupied by the trade deficit — the gap between what the U.S. sells to the rest of the world and what it buys from it. He recently declared the issue a national emergency and used trade deficit data to calculate so-called “reciprocal tariffs” targeting nearly 100 countries. Although those […]

The exponential growth of new digital technologies in the financial sector, like open banking and open finance, has stimulated competition and innovation, simultaneously improving consumer outcomes and amplifying risks. While consumers can benefit from their data, unscrupulous firms can exploit it. Lack of transparency, data misuse, fraud, and inadequate redress mechanisms could undermine the benefits […]

Smartwatches and other wearable devices can feel almost magical. Strap on a Fitbit, Apple Watch or Samsung Gear and you’re suddenly presented with a stream of data generated by – and about – your body: step counts, heart rate, blood oxygen level, calories burned and more. Wearables offer tools that help people monitor and understand […]

President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to revoke Harvard University’s tax-exempt status, and some media outlets have reported that the Internal Revenue Service is taking steps in that direction. Harvard President Alan Garber says this would be “highly illegal.” Several U.S. senators, all Democrats, have urged the IRS inspector general to see whether the IRS […]

As the Class of 2025 graduates into an uncertain and fast-changing working world, they face a crucial question: What does it mean to be successful? Is it better to take a job that pays more, or one that’s more prestigious? Should you prioritize advancement, relationship building, community impact or even the opportunity to live somewhere […]

When the first cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, was proposed in 2008, the goal was simple: to create a digital currency free from banks and governments. Over time, that idea evolved into something much bigger: “decentralized finance,” or “DeFi.” With decentralized finance, people trade, borrow and earn interest on crypto assets without relying on traditional intermediaries. DeFi services […]

In a significant move to bolster Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, the World Bank has announced a $1 billion support package aimed at job creation and private sector growth over the next three years. The initiative focuses on key industries such as energy, agriculture, tourism, and regional development, sectors deemed critical for long-term stability and expansion. […]

American families are struggling to keep up with their bills. The cost of food soared by more than 23% from 2020 to 2024. Other price increases, which are especially steep for vehicles, insurance, child care and housing, come as nearly 40% more people are behind on their credit card payments than in 2022. Now, uncertainty […]

Nothing is more certain than death and taxes, Benjamin Franklin famously declared. And, since 1916, the federal government has imposed an estate tax on the transfer of property owned at death. But the Trump administration and Republican lawmakers may be on the verge of changing all that. GOP legislators are now considering a massive bill […]