Many of us receive our bills and salaries on a regular schedule. That predictability lets us plan ahead.
But this isn’t the case around the world. Nearly two-thirds of the world’s poor make a living through agriculture, and many of these farmers collect money only once a year. To support their business and families, they must stretch their income from one harvest to the next.
High-quality financial services can make their lives much more manageable: financial services help reduce the shock of an unexpected bill by half. Payment services let families quickly receive help from abroad. And savings accounts ensure that workers’ income remains safe.
Together, financial services ensure that parents can put food on the table throughout the year, manage expenses, seize opportunities, and endure shocks. They make it easier for us to plan, prosper, and live better lives.