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Microfinance Pasifika Publications - Reports
Fiji Financial Services Sector Assessment PFIP [Suva - June 02]
This report provides an assessment of the financial services sector in Fiji. It is based upon a field research conducted in 2009 by Basix, a premier provider of microfinance services and promoter of sustanable livlihoods in India. The report highlights that while the financial services sector in Fiji is well developed when compared with other Pacific Island countries, there are missed opportunities to provide better financial services and there is a need to ensure better financial awareness and capacity building.
Financial Capability, Financial Competence and Wellbeing in Rural Fijian Households Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme April 2010
This report contains findings of a survey conducted in 2007/08, some 18 to 24 months after the introduction of training and banking services, by the UNDP Pacific Centre in conjunction with Massey University (New Zealand) and the National Centre for Small and Microenterprise Development (NCSMED).The survey, a first using a quantitative methodology, was conducted in 25 villages in the Naitasiri Province involving interviews with both the male and female principal financial decision maker in each household. The findings are considered to be also representative of other rural communities in Fiji.
Execuive Summary of the report can be accessed here.
Does microcredit really help poor people?', by Richard Rosenberg, 2010.
This report asks whether or not micredit - or microfinance more generally - is being oversold? It highlights how microfinance and microcredit may not lift people out of poverty, however, they are vital tools in helping them cope with poverty by smoothing consumption, dealing with emergencies and to help pay for big ticket expenses. This is an important part of microcredits and microfinances attractiveness to poor people and is the reason behind the high repayment rates - as people want continued access to credit.
PFIP Note Series: Women's Financial Inclusion Significantly Improves Household Wellbeing, Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme, 2009.
This report discusses the conclusion from 'Financial Capability, Financial Competence and well being in Rural Fijian households' - an in depth study of rural households in 2008. It concluded that - "The well-being of a rural household can be quantifiably improved if only one person in that household attends financial literacy training and has a savings account. A significantly higher level of well being is achieved when that person is a woman". It examines how women are more likely than men to have a greater understanding of the household finances and financial goals, however, women are less likely than men to have access to bank accounts and other financial services and training. Therefore because women are more competent than men at managing household finances giving women access to financial training would play a pivotal role in improving the well being of households.
Building a Mobile Money Distribution Network in Papua New Guinea, Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme, 2009.
The purpose of this study was to look at how mobile money services could expand in PNG. The authors sought to identify and analyze existing distribution networks that might serve as potential agents to provide cash in/out services. Existing channels for moving money “downstream,” such as the payment of salaries, purchases of commodities, and domestic money transfers and channels for moving money “upstream,” mostly through the payment for goods and services, were examined. The industries, entities, and distribution networks that are major movers of cash in, and out, of the provinces were also considered. Transaction types that have the greatest volume and frequency, particularly for low-income households, were sought. Through this analysis, the authors hoped to identify the potential for synergies between existing channels and a future mobile money agent network.This paper includes a brief review of the current environment for both the financial and telecommunications sectors, which is well documented in other sources. The main sections of the document include an analysis of the movement of money in PNG, observations on the demand and potential for building a mobile money system, and constraints to the effort.
National Conference on Micro-Finance: The Way Forward, by Mr Serge Belloni, 2005. 
Since 2000 microfinance has been promoted from a marginal and experimental business into a core activity in the development policy and institutional setting of Fiji. This article explores microfinance in Fiji and the roles of the Reserve Bank, the government, non-government organisations play in the microfinance industry. The article also looks at the issues of competition and its limits, guarantees and subsidies and the legal framework of microfinance institutions.
Report on the National Conference on Revitalizing Rural Finance in Solomon Islands, Central Bank of Solomon Islands, 2005.
This report summarieses the purpose and outcomes of the National Conference on Revitalising Rural Finance in Solom Islands in 2005. The purpose of the conference was to examine the options available to improve financial services in Solomon Islands and how to overcome the many impediments to rural financial services delivery.
Financial Sector Development in the Pacific Developing Member Countries: The Regional Report , Asian Development Bank, 2001.
This regional report is the first of two volumes providing a comprehensive analysis of financial sector development in seven pacific region countries that are members of the Asian Development Bank. It consolidates the findings of individual country reports and makes recommendations on strategies for the sustainable development of sound financial systems, accelerating the growth of the financial system and thus economic development in the region.
Chapter Six: Microfinance, Financial Sector Development in the Pacific Developing Member Countries: The Regional Report, Asian Development Bank, 2001.
Microfinance in the Pacific islands is at an early stage of development. There are a limited number of institutions providing microfinance to both urban and rural areas, mostly relying on government and donor subsidies for survival. This chapter examines the need for microfinance in Pacific Developing Member Countries (PDMCs) and documents the current supply of microfinance. Current modalities, capacity and performance, and the viability and sustainability of microfinance schemes are investigated. Lessons learned from past experience are also summarised.