Financial services for the rural poor and women in India: Access and sustainability

"This paper, based on a study commissioned by the World Bank, reviews the performance of Indian financial institutions in providing services to the rural poor and examines the key issues facing policy makers and institutions as the country moves forward on financial sector reforms. The study posits two sets of causal variables for institutional performance: (i) Internal Practices Attitudes (IPAs); and (ii) mechanisms for client interface that either enhance or thwart access by the rural poor and women (MEAs). Both of these variables are largely within the control of the financial institutions. The study sought to identify changes in these variables that could improve access to financial services by the rural poor. The authors conclude, however that rural financial institutions are faced with a hierarchy of constraints, largely beyond their control, and any attempt at developing workable and sustainable approaches to improved access of the rural poor to financial services will need to address a whole range of macro-policy issues including depoliticization, ownership and governance in addition to regulatory issues."