Independent Research and Policy Advocacy

FSLRC on Systemic Risk

Following the IMF-FSB-BIS definition, the FSLRC defines systemic risk as “[a] risk of disruption to financial services that is caused by an impairment of all or parts of the financial system and has the potential to have serious negative consequences for the real economy.”

How Utkarsh Microfinance handles Customer Grievance

On a recent visit to MFIs working in eastern Uttar Pradesh, we chanced upon some great innovations and field practices, which are clearly taking customer focus to the next level. In this post, I elaborate on the innovation we saw at Utkarsh Microfinance in Varanasi.

FSLRC on Financial Regulatory Architecture

India’s regulatory architecture has been driven by the creation of product-specific regulators. We have multiple regulators: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) that regulates savings and credit,

Response to Proposed Survey under the National Strategy for Financial Education

The Technical Group on Financial Inclusion and Financial Literacy proposes to carry out a nationwide survey to assess the ‘state of financial inclusion and financial literacy’ in India. Prior to commissioning this large-scale effort, it would be important to look into the design aspects of such a survey, including: (I)Coordinating with existing large-sample surveys on financial inclusion

FSLRC on Financial Inclusion and Market Development

The FSLRC report identifies three problems that occur when regulators pursue the objectives of financial inclusion and market development like subsidizing credit for agriculture or increasing the flow of credit into certain states,

FSLRC on Financial Consumer Protection

Keeping in mind the existing state of consumer protection measures in place for India, FSLRC has proposed a consumer protection framework for financial services, with the stated objectives being – to protect and further the interests of consumers of financial products and services; and to promote public awareness in financial matters.

Cost of Delivering Rural Credit in India

Central to the debate on access to finance for India, is the question of the most appropriate channel for credit delivery. Credit intermediation has traditionally been the stronghold of banks, driven by policy mandates and regulatory backing.