Even though the West Bank is not a sovereign state‚ the nearly 2.5 million people living there still require a well–functioning financial system to invest in enterprises‚ build personal assets‚ and insure their households against risks.

AED’s Expanded and Sustained Access to Financial Services project is working to improve that system on all levels to meet the needs of consumers and spur broad–based economic growth.

“By strengthening the banking system in the West Bank and providing financial education to consumers‚ we are building the foundation for future growth‚” said Timothy Nourse‚ ESAF chief of party in the AED Center for Enterprise and Capacity Development.

AED works with regulatory bodies to improve bank oversight. The project is also collaborating with more than 40 banks‚ microfinance institutions‚ and insurance companies to improve their products and outreach‚ especially to low–income populations.

The goal of the three–year project‚ which started in late 2008‚ is to reach 35‚000 households with financial–education materials and increase lending by $100 million. Although the project recently started‚ it has already helped 1‚000 enterprises access more than $10 million in loans.

Critical Issues

Where We Work

Regions around
the World

United States

Latin America & the Caribbean

Sub–Saharan Africa

Middle East & North Africa

Asia & the Pacific

Europe & Eurasia

 

Share with a Colleague