WORKWEEK

Last year after my first intro call with the mega-cool producer of Money 20/20’s podcast, Rachel Morrissey, I remembered slamming my computer shut and expressing my excitement that I got to bring my show, Humans of Fintech, to the biggest stage in fintech. 

And guess what typically happens after you’ve received something you’ve always wanted? A small moment of dread that you might not live up to expectations (she’s called imposter syndrome, but I digress). 

When allowed to make my Money 20/20 debut, I knew I had to come in with an all-star guest. 

Serendipitously, I met Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President and CEO of Women’s World Banking, around the same time. 

“This is it,” I said to myself. “If I’m hitting this stage, I’m going to do it with someone unequivocally reaching for the same thing as me.” 

And that’s how my journey with Women’s World Banking starts… 

After hitting it off on and off stage, it was clear that Women’s World Banking and Fintech Is Femme were a perfect match for collaboration (you can tune into our podcast together live at Money 20/20 with Shivani Siroya, here). 

Women’s World Banking is a non-profit organization that has been devoted to promoting financial services and creating economic opportunities for women worldwide since its establishment in 1979. 

The organization has been a pioneer in the field of microfinance and has extended its focus to include financial inclusion, digital finance, and gender diversity in the financial sector. 

Women’s World Banking mission is simple: Support women to take control of their financial lives by providing them with the necessary tools and resources to grow their businesses, save for the future, and invest in themselves and their families.

The organization has established partnerships with over 50 microfinance institutions and financial service providers in more than 30 countries, reaching out to over 15 million women. 

Women’s World Banking has also been actively supporting financial inclusion through collaborations with fintech companies. 

There are several ways in which Women’s World Banking works with fintech companies. 

#1 Technical assistance and support. 

This can include help with product development, user experience design, and other aspects of building and launching a successful fintech platform. 

By sharing their expertise and best practices, Women’s World Banking is able to help fintech companies better understand the needs of women customers and design products and services that are tailored to their needs.

#2 Providing access to its network of microfinance institutions and other financial service providers. 

These institutions have deep roots in the communities they serve and have a wealth of knowledge and experience in working with women. By connecting fintech companies with these institutions, Women’s World Banking is able to help them build relationships with potential customers and gain valuable insights into the needs and preferences of women in different markets.

#3 Promoting gender diversity in the fintech industry itself. 

Despite the fact that women make up half of the world’s population, they are often underrepresented in the technology and finance sectors. By promoting the inclusion of women in fintech, Women’s World Banking is helping to create a more equitable and inclusive industry that better reflects the needs and interests of all people.

So why does Women’s World Banking matter to fintech? 

For one, the organization is helping to expand the reach of fintech by bringing innovative financial services to underserved markets. By working with microfinance institutions and other financial service providers, Women’s World Banking is helping fintech companies gain a foothold in communities where they may not have been able to do so on their own.

Additionally, Women’s World Banking is helping to ensure that fintech products and services are designed with the needs of women in mind. Women have unique financial needs and preferences, and by incorporating these into product design, fintech companies are able to create more effective and impactful products.

Finally, Women’s World Banking is playing an important role in promoting gender diversity and inclusion in the fintech industry. By working to create a more inclusive industry, Women’s World Banking is helping to unlock the full potential of fintech and ensure that it benefits everyone, not just a select few.

Clearly, Women’s World Banking is a vital player in the fintech industry, helping to expand financial inclusion, promote gender diversity, and drive innovation. 

By working with fintech companies and financial service providers around the world, Women’s World Banking is helping to create a more equitable and inclusive financial system that benefits everyone, regardless of gender, geography, or socioeconomic status. 

And I couldn’t be more proud and inspired to collaborate together.