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This study aim is to explore owners of small enterprises' appreciation of bank’s role in developing their businesses and the challenges that come along in accessing banking services in the context of Sefwi-Bekwai which is a rural community. Questionnaires were used to solicit information from the owners while descriptive statistics aided the data analysis. The study found that the main source of start-up capital is the owner’s funds whiles saving was recorded as the key benefit of banking. It further revealed that the high-interest rate charged was a barrier in accessing loans and the effect of bank relations was sound financial management for the SME’s operations. The paper suggests the need for small enterprise owners in the rural communities to form an association for their benefit in terms of taking advantage of group lending and demanding support and relief from relevant authorities. Improved institutional support would also give small enterprises better access to the information they need for financing and growth.

This article considers the influence of macro-economic factors as integrated factors in financial sustainability of Informal Finance Groups. Informal Finance Groups (IFGs) have become critical in poverty eradication around the world in enhancing access to finance. Despite acknowledgement of this fact, IFGs have been faced with financial constraints as a result of micro factors that affect them. This puts the financial sustainability of the IFGs at risk.  In this study, financial instability in informal finance groups is caused by these factors: loan pricing and loan repayment period. This study required to examine the connection between macro-economic factors and financial sustainability of informal finance groups in Kiharu Constituency in Murang’a County. Both primary and secondary data were collected. Findings indicate that there is relationship between macro-economic factors and financial sustainability of informal finance groups. The R value of 0.238 portrayed a positive linear relationship between the loan pricing practices and financial sustainability of Informal Finance Groups, and the R value of 0.354 portrayed a positive linear relationship between the loan repayment period and financial sustainability of Informal Finance Groups. Therefore the study concluded that the macro-economic factors have an influence on financial sustainability of informal finance groups. The study recommends that the IFGs should devise a standard criteria for optimal pricing of loans to avoid charging exorbitant rates which worsen the poverty situation of the rural residents. Further, the IFGs should also set up loan monitoring systems in place to avoid diversion and defaults.  

In the current dynamic world, those with no or little access to key financial products and services suffer a great deal of disservice. This study examines the effect of remittance channels (commercial banks and alternative sources) have on financial inclusion and then check the moderating effect of money remittance regulation on the relationship between the remittance channels and financial inclusion in Kenya. It uses the World Bank and Central Bank of Kenya’s dataset on remittances and financial inclusion covering the period from 2009 to 2018. We estimate our model using the Ordinary Least Square assumptions to find the association. We find that remittances from alternative channels other than commercial banks influence financial inclusion in Kenya. We further notice that the money remittance regulations have no moderating effect on the relationship between remittance channels and financial inclusion in Kenya. Our results suggest that commercial banks are not able to appropriately sell their products and services to remittance-receiving households while fintech and other internet remitting service providers seem to roll on products and services that enhance the use of savings and credit facilities. We suggest that more avenues and policies should be enacted to foster the use of alternative sources while improving structures within commercial banks to empower financial inclusion in Kenya

The objective of this research is centered on determining different microinsurance dimensions towards promoting the sustainability of the marginalized. This central objective leads to the assumption that microinsurance is a good tool to supplement the lack of or the unavailability of social protection programs intended for those who are socially excluded. Over the years, there have been increased calls among governments all over the world to end poverty.  The call puts to order the use of all available means to attain the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  As a background, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted in 2015 by all United Nations Member States.  It encompasses 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is an urgent call for action for all developed and developing countries to form a global partnership in promoting peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. The very heart of this framework recognizes that ending poverty and other deprivations must have effective and efficient strategies. The research made use of purely quantitative methods to achieve its objectives. There were 600 questionnaires distributed all over the Philippines but only 422 questionnaires were retrieved. The indicators of microinsurance were factor analyzed using the principal axis method with varimax rotation to determine the underlying dimensions. Since its introduction to the market, microinsurance has been a tool that enables low-income households to become resilient against adversities. In fact, it has been found in various literature that microinsurance has functioned as a social protection mechanism when social services are inadequate or not available. It can be further concluded that microinsurance with its unprecedented growth is eyed as a primary contributor to achieving the majority of the SDG 2030. This monumental role of microinsurance calls for the support of various sectors.  As indicated in the results, financial literacy has to increase among the marginalized to embrace the concept of insurance.  The government likewise has to intervene in promoting microinsurance particularly in areas that are neglected by social services for whatever reasons.

Amid the increasingly competitive competition among banking institutions today, the Village Credit Institution ‘Lembaga Perkreditan Desa’ (LPD) belonging to the Pakraman village in Bali is getting stronger. This scientific work discusses LPD as the economic and socio-cultural capital of Balinese society. As a result of qualitative research, the data obtained through literature review, observation and in-depth interviews with nine informants, namely the administrators of the Empowering Institute of LPD of Bali Province and managers LPD Kesiman, Denpasar; LPD Seminyak, Kuta-Badung; and LPD Beraban Kediri. The data analysis was done by a descriptive interpretation by using management theory and Bourdeau social practice theory. The results of the research indicate that as economic capital, LPD proved able to build entrepreneurship and empower local villagers of pakraman. As a social capital, LPD has its own value structure, has a social network and gained the trust of its customers. Furthermore, as a cultural capital, LPD is able to strengthen the tradition of local pakraman villagers and become part of the cultural pillars of Balinese society. It is expected that LPD strengthening will continue to be done according to the needs and development of Balinese people

In the current dynamic world, those with no or little access to key financial products and services suffer a great deal of disservice. This study examines the effect of remittance channels (commercial banks and alternative sources) have on financial inclusion and then check the moderating effect of money remittance regulation on the relationship between the remittance channels and financial inclusion in Kenya. It uses the World Bank and Central Bank of Kenya’s dataset on remittances and financial inclusion covering the period from 2009 to 2018. We estimate our model using the Ordinary Least Square assumptions to find the association. We find that remittances from alternative channels other than commercial banks influence financial inclusion in Kenya. We further notice that the money remittance regulations have no moderating effect on the relationship between remittance channels and financial inclusion in Kenya. Our results suggest that commercial banks are not able to appropriately sell their products and services to remittance-receiving households while fintech and other internet remitting service providers seem to roll on products and services that enhance the use of savings and credit facilities. We suggest that more avenues and policies should be enacted to foster the use of alternative sources while improving structures within commercial banks to empower financial inclusion in Kenya

The objective of this research is centered on determining different microinsurance dimensions towards promoting the sustainability of the marginalized. This central objective leads to the assumption that microinsurance is a good tool to supplement the lack of or the unavailability of social protection programs intended for those who are socially excluded. Over the years, there have been increased calls among governments all over the world to end poverty.  The call puts to order the use of all available means to attain the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  As a background, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted in 2015 by all United Nations Member States.  It encompasses 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is an urgent call for action for all developed and developing countries to form a global partnership in promoting peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. The very heart of this framework recognizes that ending poverty and other deprivations must have effective and efficient strategies. The research made use of purely quantitative methods to achieve its objectives. There were 600 questionnaires distributed all over the Philippines but only 422 questionnaires were retrieved. The indicators of microinsurance were factor analyzed using the principal axis method with varimax rotation to determine the underlying dimensions. Since its introduction to the market, microinsurance has been a tool that enables low-income households to become resilient against adversities. In fact, it has been found in various literature that microinsurance has functioned as a social protection mechanism when social services are inadequate or not available. It can be further concluded that microinsurance with its unprecedented growth is eyed as a primary contributor to achieving the majority of the SDG 2030. This monumental role of microinsurance calls for the support of various sectors.  As indicated in the results, financial literacy has to increase among the marginalized to embrace the concept of insurance.  The government likewise has to intervene in promoting microinsurance particularly in areas that are neglected by social services for whatever reasons.

This study aim is to explore owners of small enterprises' appreciation of bank’s role in developing their businesses and the challenges that come along in accessing banking services in the context of Sefwi-Bekwai which is a rural community. Questionnaires were used to solicit information from the owners while descriptive statistics aided the data analysis. The study found that the main source of start-up capital is the owner’s funds whiles saving was recorded as the key benefit of banking. It further revealed that the high-interest rate charged was a barrier in accessing loans and the effect of bank relations was sound financial management for the SME’s operations. The paper suggests the need for small enterprise owners in the rural communities to form an association for their benefit in terms of taking advantage of group lending and demanding support and relief from relevant authorities. Improved institutional support would also give small enterprises better access to the information they need for financing and growth.

Amid the increasingly competitive competition among banking institutions today, the Village Credit Institution ‘Lembaga Perkreditan Desa’ (LPD) belonging to the Pakraman village in Bali is getting stronger. This scientific work discusses LPD as the economic and socio-cultural capital of Balinese society. As a result of qualitative research, the data obtained through literature review, observation and in-depth interviews with nine informants, namely the administrators of the Empowering Institute of LPD of Bali Province and managers LPD Kesiman, Denpasar; LPD Seminyak, Kuta-Badung; and LPD Beraban Kediri. The data analysis was done by a descriptive interpretation by using management theory and Bourdeau social practice theory. The results of the research indicate that as economic capital, LPD proved able to build entrepreneurship and empower local villagers of pakraman. As a social capital, LPD has its own value structure, has a social network and gained the trust of its customers. Furthermore, as a cultural capital, LPD is able to strengthen the tradition of local pakraman villagers and become part of the cultural pillars of Balinese society. It is expected that LPD strengthening will continue to be done according to the needs and development of Balinese people

This article considers the influence of macro-economic factors as integrated factors in financial sustainability of Informal Finance Groups. Informal Finance Groups (IFGs) have become critical in poverty eradication around the world in enhancing access to finance. Despite acknowledgement of this fact, IFGs have been faced with financial constraints as a result of micro factors that affect them. This puts the financial sustainability of the IFGs at risk.  In this study, financial instability in informal finance groups is caused by these factors: loan pricing and loan repayment period. This study required to examine the connection between macro-economic factors and financial sustainability of informal finance groups in Kiharu Constituency in Murang’a County. Both primary and secondary data were collected. Findings indicate that there is relationship between macro-economic factors and financial sustainability of informal finance groups. The R value of 0.238 portrayed a positive linear relationship between the loan pricing practices and financial sustainability of Informal Finance Groups, and the R value of 0.354 portrayed a positive linear relationship between the loan repayment period and financial sustainability of Informal Finance Groups. Therefore the study concluded that the macro-economic factors have an influence on financial sustainability of informal finance groups. The study recommends that the IFGs should devise a standard criteria for optimal pricing of loans to avoid charging exorbitant rates which worsen the poverty situation of the rural residents. Further, the IFGs should also set up loan monitoring systems in place to avoid diversion and defaults.