> Posted by Center Staff

This week’s Top Picks includes some good news for banks, some welcome calls in Mexico’s mobile market, a wrap-up of Vijay Mahajan’s trek across India’s microfinance landscape, and a look at Kiva’s contributions to non-traditional services and loans.

  • “These are not the best of times for banks globally” might be an understatement, but Kabir Kumar identifies some reasons for optimism in his CGAP Technology Blog post “Banks Have Some Good News…Are They Listening?”
  • Vijay Mahajan, who we earlier noted was “Treading Carefully in Indian Microfinance’s Troubled Landscape,” encapsulates the insights gained during his investigation/walk in his blog’s post “Shodh Yatra – A Video Summary of 79 Days in 15 mins.”
  • “Without a credit card, bank account, or official employment history, mobile providers are unwilling to take the gamble on providing a post-paid monthly plan option to Mexico’s poor,” observes Josh Cleveland in his post “Reinventing the Mobile Market in Mexico” for NextBillion.
  • “[V]oluntary savings programs, health care, women’s empowerment, higher education and much more,” are part of what Kiva backers are indirectly supporting, notes the organization’s Sr. Director of Social Performance, JD Bergeron,  in his webinar “What Kiva is Doing Beyond Funding Business Loans.”

Image credit: Iainf

Have you read?

Energy Drinks, Lebanon, & Impact Investing – Top Picks of the Microfinance Blogosphere – September 14, 2011

Andhra Pradesh, Haiti & Corporate Capital – Top Picks of the Microfinance Blogosphere – August 22, 2011

Financial Ed, Mobile Money, & Savings – Top Picks of the Microfinance Blogosphere – August 3, 2011

Women, India, & Tourism – Top Picks of the Microfinance Blogosphere – July 19, 2011

Armenia, Andhra Pradesh & Pakistan – Top Picks of the Microfinance Blogosphere – June 13, 201