Updates from the Field
The successful opening of sub-branches in Zambia
With support The MasterCard Foundation, FINCA Zambia is rolling out a plan to broaden and diversify its delivery channels, including establishing a network of sub-branches that offer services in less densely populated areas. With its lean staffing structure and smaller size, this enables FINCA Zambia to serve marginalized populations at half the cost of building a full scale branch. This type of branch allows clients to access savings services, conveniently make loan payments, and conduct money transfers.
Our first sub-branch was established in 2013, in Kafue, a town located one hour outside of Lusaka. Prior to this, there was only a FINCA sales outlet in Kafue, which meant that clients were required to travel to Lusaka in order to withdraw funds. Loan repayments were made through a local commercial bank, which often resulted in account reconciliation issues between their institution and FINCA, which was costly to the business. Now, the presence of the sub-branch has made a huge impact on our clients’ lives, saving them unnecessary travel time and allowing them to focus on growing their businesses. A second sub-branch was established in 2014 in Choma, with plans to open a third location by the end of the year.
Partnering with MNOs in Tanzania
As part of our Delivery Channel Strategy, FINCA Tanzania has engaged in a partnership with Vodacom, the largest mobile network operator (MNO) in the country. Through this partnership, FINCA customers use Vodacom’s mobile money platform, MPESA, to make payments to a FINCA account for monthly loan installments and savings.
This arrangement enables FINCA customers to make payments directly from their e-Wallet, saving them significant travel time and other transaction costs typical of microfinance operations. One year into the partnership, 28% of the total value of deposits and 34% of the total number of transactions are now being remitted through MPESA, and FINCA Tanzania represents the fifth largest source of transactional volume for Vodacom in Tanzania.
FINCA Tanzania is looking to expand this channel by engaging in other MNOs through an aggregator, Selcom.
Agency banking (FINCA Express) pilot launched in Tanzania
In September 2014, FINCA Tanzania launched its agency banking pilot in four Dar Es Salaam branches—Magomeni, Temeke, Ilala, and Tegeta.
The pilot has been a huge success, with over 2,000 customers transacting through this channel. Agency banking allows FINCA customers to perform deposits and make withdrawals, in addition to balance inquiries, mini-statements and funds transfers.
FINCA Tanzania will be performing an evaluation of the pilot in January 2015 before full rollout.
