Mastercard Foundation Launches 2017 Clients at the Centre Prize
$150,000 prize will recognize the world’s most client-centric financial services provider working with poor people
Toronto, April 3, 2017 — The Mastercard Foundation today launched its 2017 Clients at the Centre Prize competition as it invited applications from financial service providers for the US$150,000 in prize money. Awarded annually, the Prize recognizes a financial service provider, working with poor people in developing countries, that demonstrates outstanding client-centric behaviour.
“We know that universal financial inclusion will only be achieved if financial service providers truly understand the lives of the poor people they serve,” said Ann Miles, Director of Financial Inclusion, Mastercard Foundation, in launching the 2017 competition. “We also know that there are financial service companies who are setting new standards every day in the way they focus on their clients and give them the products and services they need and want, in the context of a strong business case to do so. We’re looking to award the Prize to the best of those companies, and raise the bar for everyone else.”
The Mastercard Foundation Clients at the Centre Prize was first awarded in 2015 to the Swedish mobile microinsurance firm BIMA. Last year, the Prize recognized the South African international remittance company, Hello Paisa. Each competition drew nearly 100 applicants from companies around the world.
A key feature of the Prize is that the final decision about who receives it is made by an audience of approximately 300 financial inclusion industry professionals, gathered at the Foundation’s annual Symposium on Financial Inclusion. The top three finalists in the competition present their companies to the audience which then votes on which of the three is the most client-centric.
Prize applicants must be commercial providers of financial products and services to low-income populations in developing countries. Applicants can be non-traditional players such as mobile network operators, IT or mobile-enabled technology companies, agribusinesses that provide financial services, or others. Applicants can also be traditional financial service providers (commercial banks, micro-finance institutions) or companies providing non-bank products and services such as leasing or insurance companies.
The closing date for applications for the 2017 Prize is June 5 at 23:59 GMT.
About the Mastercard Foundation
The Mastercard Foundation works with visionary organizations to provide greater access to education, skills training and financial services for people living in poverty, primarily in Africa. As one of the largest private foundations, its work is guided by its mission to advance learning and promote financial inclusion to create an inclusive and equitable world. Based in Toronto, Canada, its independence was established by Mastercard International when the Foundation was created in 2006. For more information and to sign up for the Foundation’s newsletter, please visit www.mastercardfdn.org. Follow the Foundation at @MastercardFdn on Twitter.
Media contact
Roger Morier
Senior Communications Manager
Mastercard Foundation
Email: rmorier@mastercardfdn.org
Tel: +1 416 616 1864
