Women's World Banking

The article “Gender equality fund performance disappoints” published July 8th, 2024 in the Financial Times raises several important points. As a recognized global pioneer in gender lens investing and equity investor Women's World Banking Asset Management reminds investors to base investment decisions on relevant and contextualized data. As the article points out – not all funds are doing the same (actually, what does “doing the same” mean?), and many focus solely on women in #leadership rather than gender diversity at all levels within an organization - which, unsurprisingly, doesn’t lead to improving gender equality. Our data shows a strong positive correlation between client and staff gender diversity and key financial performance indicators, including ROE and revenue growth. We also observe a positive correlation between women loan officers and outreach to women clients.   A cornerstone of WAM’s strategy is the collection and analysis of gender-disaggregated data. Holding ourselves and our portfolio companies accountable to enhancing access to #financialservices for low-income women while fostering gender diversity throughout all levels of the employee base yields stronger financial and operational results.   Simply said – to grow business, grow gender diversity, and to reach more Women, hire more Women. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eFaDKaqQ #genderlensinvesting #womeninleadership

Women's World Banking is thrilled to announce the winners of our 2024 Policy Pitch Competition! This event is held annually as part of the Leadership & Diversity Program for Regulators and supports our participants in using and showcasing what they have learned and the work they are doing. The competition began at our in-person convening in Oxford, where the cohort selected their 5 finalists: • Central Bank of Nigeria • Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe • SIDBI(Small Industries Development Bank of India) • National Bank of Rwanda (NBR) • Superintendency of Banks Dominican Republic The competition showcased innovative solutions and policies aimed at enhancing financial inclusion and gender diversity in the financial sector. The creativity and dedication demonstrated by all participants were truly remarkable. Please join us in congratulating this year’s winner: 🏆  Small Industries Development Bank, India (Anisha Pal & Anubha Prasad)! Their visionary idea and commitment to driving positive change will undoubtedly make a significant impact in promoting women's economic empowerment. They are focusing on a framework to identify and supporting women-owned MSME’s. A special thank you to our esteemed panel of judges for their insightful and inspiring feedback and questions: 👏 Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President and CEO, Women’s World Banking 👏 Andrea Donkor, Chief Compliance Officer, PayPal, Inc. 👏 Ariadne Plaitakis, Senior Program Officer for Regulatory and Consumer Protection Technologies, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation 👏 Vishakha R M, Executive Coach, Former Managing Director & CEO, IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company. We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to SIDBI for their support and to Anisha Pal for her excellent presentation and passion.

We are proud to be part of the newly launched Africa Leaders Business Council by the Milken Institute! By 2050, 90 cities in Africa will be home to over a million people, and the continent will hold six of the world’s mega cities—those with more than 10 million residents. These demographics, coupled with the urgent need for #healthcare, education and climate-focused investments, are signals that Africa is a region of opportunity, ready for investors’ capital. Women's World Banking aims to empower 15 million women in Africa with access to and responsible usage of formal financial services in 2027 by accelerating access to credit for women-led MSMEs, enhancing women's financial health and resilience, and building robust women agent networks. Together with other distinguished partners, we are excited to contribute to deepening engagement and investment in #Africa. https://bit.ly/4bGMvxd #FinancialInclusion #GenderLensInvesting

Exciting news! Our President & CEO Mary Ellen Iskenderian officially joined CNBC’s Global Financial Wellness Advisory Board, an expert group of thought leaders and influencers who are passionately committed to advancing personal finance education by promoting #FinancialLiteracy research and policy. CNBC is the #1 business news media company globally, and the Global Financial Wellness Advisory Board is part of their financial education initiative, #CNBCYourMoney, dedicated to helping people manage, grow and protect their money so they can live ambitiously.   This is a significant milestone for us, as it aligns perfectly with our mission to empower the 1 billion women who are currently underserved by the formal financial sector. By joining this board, we are amplifying our voice and leveraging our expertise in serving women and using it to influence policies and strategies that can bring about substantial change. This next step is a testament to Women’s World Banking’s commitment to making a difference and shaping a future where every woman has access to the financial tools they need to thrive in a global economy! https://lnkd.in/grQWv_xM

Apply for the TechEquity: Women in Inclusive Tech Regulation Program by this Friday! Our new program equips the next generation of women policymakers, regulators and supervisors with the knowledge and mindset to be at the cutting edge of technology and accelerate efforts to close the gender gap in #FinancialInclusion. Don't miss this opportunity to gain invaluable insights from industry leaders, access exclusive networking events, participate in specialized training sessions, and receive personalized mentorship: https://bit.ly/4cklz7a #WomeninTech #LeadershipPrograms

Only one week left to apply for TechEquity: Women in Inclusive Tech Regulation Program! Kicking off in August to October 2024, learn from experts at Women’s World Banking, AIR - Alliance for Innovative Regulation, New York University, and University of Pennsylvania. Gain insights into the latest tech trends, build global networks, and receive mentorship from industry leaders. Who Should Apply: Mid- to senior-level women professionals in regulation or policymaking interested in technology and innovation. Why Apply: Develop leadership skills, connect with peers worldwide, and drive financial inclusion. Advance your career and make an impact! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e42ewmcQ #WomenInTech #LeadershipPrograms #TechPrograms

Did you know 98% of Nigerian women are still left out of formal credit markets? Investing in women’s empowerment correlates with improved education, health, lower poverty rates, and #EconomicDevelopment. Rooted in women-centered design, Women's World Banking's Digital Credit Activation Toolkit supports financial services providers in enhancing and optimizing their digital credit solutions, specifically catering to the needs of low-income #WomenEntrepreneurs. Learn more. ⬇️ https://bit.ly/4cgIRev

Empowering women-led MSMEs in the Global South through digital #FinancialInclusion isn't just about economic growth—it's about building resilient communities and fostering inclusive development. By leveraging digital financial tools, we unlock the potential of millions of #WomenEntrepreneurs, allowing them to transform their lives, uplift their communities, and strengthen their economies. #DigitalEmpowerment #ItsHerEconomyToo Read more here: https://bit.ly/3zjKBFe

On United Nations #MSMEDay, we are highlighting the Women’s Digital #FinancialInclusion Advocacy Hub! Lead by Women's World Banking and United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), this collective advocates for accessible and affordable #digital solutions tailored to women’s unique needs and aspirations. Our new white paper underscores nine critical steps needed to cultivate an environment where women-led businesses can flourish. Let’s ensure that our last-mile women customers are not left behind in our journey towards #EconomicEmpowerment. Together, we can make a difference! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eunnY_nU #ItsHerEconomyToo

Women’s World Banking was thrilled to be part of this year's LSEG (London Stock Exchange Group) Foundation Day! LSEG’s commitment to driving financial stability, empowering economies, and enabling customers to create sustainable growth aligns seamlessly with our belief that when women thrive, so do their families and communities, leading to a more sustainable and inclusive future for all. Being a trusted partner of the LSEG Foundation means so much to us and reinforces our dedication to serve the nearly 1 billion women excluded from the formal financial sector. Our CEO Mary Ellen Iskenderian sat down with Erica Bourne, Chief People Officer at LSEG and Chair of the LSEG Foundation, for an inspiring fireside chat to discuss the barriers, challenges and opportunities around empowering women. Together they shone the light on the importance of #WomenInLeadership, and the ways we can all advocate for women’s #FinancialInclusion. We are thrilled that our CFO/COO J. Thomas Jones, who sits on the board of the LSEG Foundation also took the stage to emphasize the importance of allyship and fostering gender-diverse teams, that are critical to create inclusive environments where everyone can thrive. Women’s World Banking is proud to be a partner of the LSEG Foundation and we’re delighted to work on projects that contribute to Women’s World Banking’s goal to reach 100 million women by 2027 and LSEG’s goal of impacting 1 million lives by 2030. Together we are looking to create a world where every woman has the opportunity to succeed and lead.