Finance & Market

  Despite encouraging advancements in the number of first time bank account holders, a startling gender gap persists in financial inclusion as a result of a variety of barriers to access across the developing world. Bringing women into the formal financial sector not only empowers them directly but also leads to welfare gains for the entire household and the community at large. This article lays out the empirical evidence linking …

  Interview with Umber Tanya Ansari — Head of Marketing & Distribution, UBL Fund Managers Ltd Profile Umber Tanya Ansari has been gaining experience in the asset management industry since 2008, and holds a Degree in Psychology from the University of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. She began her career in advertising at Interflow Communications Limited, handling categories of notable brands such as Pepsi, UBL, PSO, and BMA. Thereafter, she was recruited …

  Presently Pakistan is one of the active and effective players in worldwide Islamic finance industry and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has remained at forefront in developing and promoting Islamic finance in the country. Learning from past experience, SBP adopted an evolutionary approach for establishing Islamic banking in Pakistan in 2001. Since then and the industry commencing from scratch in 2001, has increased above 11 percent share in assets …

  Posts strong financial results for first quarter of 2016 Habib Bank Limited (HBL) has recently achieved a landmark in the banking history by becoming the first Pakistani bank to receive a license for opening a branch in Urumqi in Western China. The Bank expects that the branch will be operational by the end of the year and will further cement links with China. With ample liquidity and a sound …

  Mobile banking an effective way for achieving financial inclusion According to latest official figures regarding real-time online banking, the network of ATMs in the banking industry continued to grow reaching from 10,099 to 10,736 during the second quarter of current fiscal year 2016. During this period some 5,689 POS machines were also added to the network showing a growth of 12.82% as compared to first quarter of FY16. The …

  In Pakistan microfinance sector depends upon external consultants and their strategic sights for economic development. These consultants are being hired to obtain utmost coherence with strategic ways and their alliance with output. Consultants are accountable for initializing business ideas for microfinance sector. The business ideas are best in function and offer principles how to start from day one till end of business. This sector in the country is keen …

  Country wins global recognition in online banking policy initiatives and businesses Branchless banking regulation was first introduced in Pakistan in April 2008. From the start, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has taken a positive regulatory approach by providing clear cut guidance and adjusting regulation where necessary. Pakistan has now firmly established the regulatory environment and supporting institutional framework to extend the field of branchless banking. A variety of business …

  The agriculture sector lacks financial resources, due to which small-scale farmers are facing a lot of problems, consequently affecting the agriculture and livestock sector. But in Muslim countries including Pakistan, the primary reason behind the lack of financial inclusion in the agricultural sector is unavailability of such financial products that are in correlation with the religious and social belief of the Muslims and if we want to promote agriculture …

  After persistent decline in the country’s exports, the foreign remittances are now intend to be a major source of forex earning for the country. Efforts are underway at different levels to produce trained human resource, can serve abroad and earn precious forex for the country. In this regard, TEVTA, NAVTEC and other training institutions are playing lead role. Overseas Pakistani workers remitted $12,714.57 million in the first eight months …

  Provides a vital cushion to foreign exchange and money market stability The home remittances by overseas Pakistanis have become a considerable source of external flows, which have provided the much needed cushion to foreign exchange as well as money market as both money and foreign exchange markets exhibited relative tranquility in Pakistan. While talking to PAGE, Sirajuddin Aziz, President and CEO Habib Metro said that Pakistani banks and other …