Publicación: Leveraging Sex-Disaggregated and Alternative Data in Credit Scoring for Women-Owned SMES (+...)

Publicación: Leveraging Sex-Disaggregated and Alternative Data in Credit Scoring for Women-Owned SMES https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/d15ba762-2195-4753-8500-f9e88d475f3f This paper examines how financial service providers (FSPs) use sex-disaggregated and alternative data in credit scoring and underwriting for women-owned and led small and medium-sized enterprises (WSMEs).2 Drawing on a World Bank Group survey of 46 providers across 30 jurisdictions—including banks, microfinance institutions (MFIs), cooperatives and credit unions, non-bank lenders, and fintechs—the study maps current data practices across the credit lifecycle, identifies operational and regulatory constraints, and highlights opportunities and challenges for data-driven credit provision. The findings are intended to inform policy and regulatory measures on sex-disaggregated and alternative data that can help expand inclusive access to finance for women entrepreneurs.