The Morning Brief Women Bank Better, Still Remain a $700 Billion Blind Spot
Mar 9, 2026
Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President and CEO of Women's World Banking, a leader in women's financial inclusion, reflects on five decades of progress and gaps. She discusses the $700 billion market opportunity, why women are strong financial clients, India's digital financial models, tech barriers women face, and links between women's finance and climate resilience.
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Account Gains Hide Product Gaps
- Account ownership rose to 73% for women in low- and middle-income countries but this masks limited access to broader financial tools like credit and insurance.
- Women's loans are smaller and insurance penetration is lower despite women buying insurance more when available.
Women Deliver Higher Client Lifetime Value
- Women are more loyal and maintain relationships with financial providers longer, and they buy cross-sold products once trust is built.
- Women's repayment rates are systematically stronger at both microfinance and SME levels, showing reliable credit performance.
$700 Billion Annual Blind Spot
- Gender-lens investing is moving mainstream by reframing women as an untapped, high-value client segment rather than a niche theme.
- The sector is leaving an estimated $700 billion annual opportunity by not serving women fully.