Comments on: In Malawi, biometric ATMs confront traditional ways of moving money http://technology.cgap.org/2009/12/03/in-malawi-biometric-atms-confront-traditional-ways-of-moving-money/ How can technology increase the reach of microfinance? Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:55:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Rural banking in Malawi « Madoit http://technology.cgap.org/2009/12/03/in-malawi-biometric-atms-confront-traditional-ways-of-moving-money/comment-page-1/#comment-1633 Rural banking in Malawi « Madoit Fri, 08 Jan 2010 10:58:41 +0000 http://technology.cgap.org/?p=1567#comment-1633 [...] In Malawi, biometric ATMs confront traditional ways of moving money. [...] [...] In Malawi, biometric ATMs confront traditional ways of moving money. [...]

]]> By: pelani http://technology.cgap.org/2009/12/03/in-malawi-biometric-atms-confront-traditional-ways-of-moving-money/comment-page-1/#comment-1470 pelani Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:47:40 +0000 http://technology.cgap.org/?p=1567#comment-1470 Please contact http://www.malswitch.mw as it has technology for m-banking and m-commerce for its partner banks. Please contact http://www.malswitch.mw as it has technology for m-banking and m-commerce for its partner banks.

]]> By: Claudia http://technology.cgap.org/2009/12/03/in-malawi-biometric-atms-confront-traditional-ways-of-moving-money/comment-page-1/#comment-1464 Claudia Fri, 04 Dec 2009 21:50:13 +0000 http://technology.cgap.org/?p=1567#comment-1464 Vivien - In a country like Malawi where most clients use basic phones, application options are limited to those that do require MNO involvement, such as STK and USSD. Of course if you are in a context where using a Java or web application on phones is feasible, then it is easier to purchase an off-the-shelf technology solution with minimal involvement from the MNO. OIBM did hire an external technology vendor to help with the interface between the messaging service (SMS, USSD) and the bank’s portfolio management system. However, as this area is still so new, few vendors have a solid track record and the industry does not yet have clear standards. The main point of that paragraph in my blog was to point out that there is no set road map yet (especially for bank-led, poverty-focused m-banking models) and OIBM had to figure out technical specifications and client needs in a country with virtually no m-banking experience. Madoit - You are correct that customer acceptance and basic logistics were two of the major challenges we faced. Opportunity International did write a more detailed case study on this last year titled 'Banking Rollout Approaches in Rural Markets,' again heavily drawing on experiences in Malawi. You can find it here: http://www.opportunity.net/Publications/CaseStudies/ Vivien – In a country like Malawi where most clients use basic phones, application options are limited to those that do require MNO involvement, such as STK and USSD. Of course if you are in a context where using a Java or web application on phones is feasible, then it is easier to purchase an off-the-shelf technology solution with minimal involvement from the MNO. OIBM did hire an external technology vendor to help with the interface between the messaging service (SMS, USSD) and the bank’s portfolio management system. However, as this area is still so new, few vendors have a solid track record and the industry does not yet have clear standards. The main point of that paragraph in my blog was to point out that there is no set road map yet (especially for bank-led, poverty-focused m-banking models) and OIBM had to figure out technical specifications and client needs in a country with virtually no m-banking experience.

Madoit – You are correct that customer acceptance and basic logistics were two of the major challenges we faced. Opportunity International did write a more detailed case study on this last year titled ‘Banking Rollout Approaches in Rural Markets,’ again heavily drawing on experiences in Malawi. You can find it here:
http://www.opportunity.net/Publications/CaseStudies/

]]> By: Madoit http://technology.cgap.org/2009/12/03/in-malawi-biometric-atms-confront-traditional-ways-of-moving-money/comment-page-1/#comment-1461 Madoit Fri, 04 Dec 2009 09:18:03 +0000 http://technology.cgap.org/?p=1567#comment-1461 Thanks for sharing your experiences with rural banking. It is interesting how you were able to grow the customer base to 200,000 people. The rural banking challenge has two parts to it a) Over coming the user cultural & acceptance hurdle b) Solving logistical problem (i.e. electricity, security etc) I would love to understand how you over came both these? Is there a more detailed case study on this or a way get more information. Thanks for sharing your experiences with rural banking. It is interesting how you were able to grow the customer base to 200,000 people. The rural banking challenge has two parts to it a) Over coming the user cultural & acceptance hurdle b) Solving logistical problem (i.e. electricity, security etc)

I would love to understand how you over came both these? Is there a more detailed case study on this or a way get more information.

]]> By: Vivien http://technology.cgap.org/2009/12/03/in-malawi-biometric-atms-confront-traditional-ways-of-moving-money/comment-page-1/#comment-1454 Vivien Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:46:27 +0000 http://technology.cgap.org/?p=1567#comment-1454 Very interesting history. But there's something am still missing. What have MNOs to do with the mBanking platform development? I always thought it was third parties applications that are connected to the MNOs backhaul system to set the system up for functioning...?Someone help please! Very interesting history. But there’s something am still missing. What have MNOs to do with the mBanking platform development? I always thought it was third parties applications that are connected to the MNOs backhaul system to set the system up for functioning…?Someone help please!

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