About EA Consultants - eac- · PDF fileAbout EA Consultants | List of Past Projects 1 About EA...

About EA Consultants | List of Past Projects 1

About EA Consultants

EAConsultantsisaglobalconsultingfirmspecializedinunderstandingthefinanciallivesoflow-incomehouseholds.We are experts in the businessmodels of organizationswho serve themandworkwiththemtosecuresharedvalueacrossstakeholders.

Since 2006, we have been working worldwide to ensure that voices and needs of low-incomehouseholdsareincorporatedintoproducts,delivery,andpolicies.

We combine research and practice to ensure thatour work isinformed by an analysis andunderstandingofmarketsandcustomerneeds.Ourgoalisthatourworkleadtonewwaysofthinkingandnewpracticethataretransformativetobenefitallsegmentsofsociety.

Selected Articles TheBusinessCaseforCustomerCentricity,CGAP,April2017.

ResponsibleBundlingofMicrofinanceServices,CGAP,TheMicroinsuranceCentre,May2016.

Don'tCoverEverything:Whytargetedhealthmicroinsurancecanworkbetterthanfullcoverage,NextBillion,February2015.

"TheRightTouch"–ReducingDistributionCostsinAlternativeChannelsforMicroinsurance,MicroinsuranceCentre,May2014.

ArethePoor,EspeciallyWomen,BeingSqueezedOutoftheMFIsSetUptoServeThem?InternationalBanker,August2015.

Hardtimespushingmicro-entrepreneurstosave—study,JamaicaObserver,June2014.

¡Dinero!TheEconomicsofMexicanMigration:May9withFormerLosAngelesMayorAntonioVillaraigosa,LehmanToday,May2014.

DeflatingthePromiseofUsingRemittancestoCopewithFinancialShocks,FinancialAccessInitiative,March2014.

Microfinance:doesitpayoffforthepoor?TheGuardian,2014

SmallFortunes,TheBanker,October2008.


Past Projects


Summary of Past Projects TABLEOFCONTENTS..................................................................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

Fintech&Innovation...............................................................................................8JUMO | Social Impact Measurement & Building Customer Insights Capacity ........................................................ 8ILO Impact Insurance Facility & Global Action Network | Measuring Client Value from Index Insurance .............. 8CAF: The Development Bank of Latin America | Linking Telemedicine to Inclusive Health Insurance Distributed by Microfinance Institutions ...................................................................................................................................... 8LeapFrog Investments & BIMA | Understanding Customers & Building Social Impact Measurement Tools .......... 9Safaricom’s Linda Jamii in Kenya & ILO Impact Insurance Facility | Health Insurance Product and Business Model Analysis & Strategy ......................................................................................................................................... 9

Strategy&BusinessCase.......................................................................................9THE MIX | Strategic Planning Exercise for Finclusion Lab ......................................................................................... 9UNCDF MicroLead Programme | Lessons on the Business Case for Small-Balance Savings Mobilization .............. 9Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP / World Bank) | Firm Value Measurement and Business Case ...... 10Pro Mujer International | 2016-2018 Operational Plan .......................................................................................... 10Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP / World Bank) | The Business Case For Youth Savings .................. 10International Finance Corporation (IFC) & Banco de Finanzas (BdF) | Diagnostic of SME and Housing Units ...... 10International Finance Corporation (IFC) & Banex (formerly Findesa) | Strategic Plan .......................................... 11FINCA Uganda | Healthcare Services and Financing for Microcredit Borrowers in Uganda .................................. 11

InclusiveInsurance...............................................................................................11AXA General Insurance & AXA-Egypt | Customer Insights Research for Inclusive Insurance Product Development in Egypt .............................................................................................................................................. 11ILO Impact Insurance Facility & Global Action Network | Measuring Client Value from Index Insurance ............ 12AXA General Insurance & AXA-MANDIRI in Indonesia | Customer Insights Research for Inclusive Insurance Product Development in Indonesia ......................................................................................................................... 12InsuResilience Investment Fund & Crezcamos | Feasibility Study for Climate Insurance Products ...................... 12InsuResilience Investment Fund & Banco Continental | Feasibility Study for Climate Insurance Products .......... 13InsuResilience Investment Fund & Caja Sullana | Development of Marketing Strategy, Materials and Training on Climate Insurance ..................................................................................................................................................... 13Microinsurance Centre | Microinsurance Learning and Knowledge (MILK) Project .............................................. 13MICROSERFIN | Microinsurance Strategy and Product Design .............................................................................. 13Aseguradora Rural | Health Insurance Product Design .......................................................................................... 13Microinsurance Centre | Microinsurance Landscape in Latin America .................................................................. 14INISER & ILO Impact Insurance Facility | Strategic Plan and Product Development for Microinsurance .............. 14


Fondo de Solidaridad e Inversión Social (FOSIS) & ILO Impact Insurance Facility | Microinsurance for Micro and Small Businesses ....................................................................................................................................................... 14ILO Impact Insurance Facility | Migration-Linked Microinsurance ......................................................................... 15FINCA Uganda | Healthcare Services and Financing for Microcredit Borrowers in Uganda .................................. 15

SupportingDoubleBottomLineInvestors...................................................15Intuit & The Aspen Institute | Qualitative Analysis of Small Business Affected by Hurricane Harvey ................... 15AXA General Insurance & AXA-MANDIRI in Indonesia| Customer Insights Research for Inclusive Insurance Product Development in Indonesia ......................................................................................................................... 15Pro Mujer International | 2016-2018 Operational Plan .......................................................................................... 15JUMO | Social Impact Measurement & Building Customer Insights Capacity ....................................................... 16LeapFrog Labs | Customer Understanding, Segmentation, and Protection Workshop ......................................... 16Triple Jump Advisory Services | Measuring the Social Impact of Microfinance Institutions ................................. 17Leapfrog Investments & BIMA | Understanding Customers and Building Social Impact Measurement Tools ..... 17Inter-American Development Bank's Multilateral Investment Fund | Evaluation of Technical Assistance to Strengthen Financial Institutions ............................................................................................................................. 17Microinsurance Centre | Evaluation of Microinsurance Grants ............................................................................. 17

Impact&SocialPerformance............................................................................18Triple Jump Advisory Services | Measuring the Social Impact of Microfinance Institutions ................................. 18Pro Mujer International | Mixed Method Evaluation of Motivations and Constraints to Cancer Treatment ....... 18Consultative Group Tto Assist the Poor (CGAP / World Bank) & The Microinsurance Centre | Information Overload? A Mixed Method Evaluation of the Impact of Bundling Microfinance Services ................................... 18FINCA International | Measuring Client Empowerment and Achievement of Aspirations .................................... 18 LeapFrog Investments & BIMA | Understanding Customers & Building Social Impact Measurement Tools ........ 18Microinsurance Centre | Microinsurance Learning and Knowledge (MILK) Project .............................................. 19Inter-American Development Bank's Multilateral Investment Fund | Women-Owned Businesses in Latin America ..................................................................................................................................................................... 19ILO Impact Insurance Facility | Microinsurance Utilization in Nicaragua ............................................................... 20Global Development Network | Randomized Evaluation of Health Insurance for the Informal Sector ................ 20United States Agency For International Development (USAID) | Effects of Global Financial Crisis on Microfinance Institutions ......................................................................................................................................... 20Ford Foundation & New York University | Pro Mujer Nicaragua: Strategic Analysis of Non-Financial Services ... 21

AdvancingMicrofinanceModels.......................................................................21Financiera Fundeser | Micro Currency Hedge Product Design .............................................................................. 21Calmeadow Foundation & Inter-American Development Bank's Multilateral Investment Fund | Research on Women’s Leadership in Microfinance ..................................................................................................................... 21


Pro Mujer International | 2016-2018 Operational Plan .......................................................................................... 21Consultative Group To Assist The Poor (CGAP / World Bank) & The Microinsurance Centre | Information Overload? A Mixed Method Evaluation of the Impact of Bundling Microfinance Services ................................... 21Inter-American Development Bank's Multilateral Investment Fund | Microfinance Business Models in the Caribbean ................................................................................................................................................................. 21Pro Mujer International | Product Costing Model .................................................................................................. 22Inter-American Development Bank's Multilateral Investment Fund | Evaluation of Rural Credit Project ............ 23Inter-American Development Bank's Multilateral Investment Fund | Microenterprise Demand for Credit in the Caribbean ................................................................................................................................................................. 23Inter-American Development Bank's Multilateral Investment Fund | Success and Failure of Small Businesses in Colombia ................................................................................................................................................................... 23Pro Mujer International | Strengthening Customer Insights Capacity ................................................................... 23

International Finance Corporation (IFC); Banco De Finanzas (BdF) | Diagnostic of SME and Housing Units Error! Bookmark not def ined. FINCA Mexico | Nonfinancial Services for Microcredit Borrowers ......................................................................... 24

Gender.......................................................................................................................25AXA General Insurance & AXA-Egypt | Customer Insights Research for Inclusive Insurance Product Development in Egypt .............................................................................................................................................. 25Calmeadow Foundation & Inter-American Development Bank's Multilateral Investment Fund| Research on Women’s Leadership in Microfinance ..................................................................................................................... 25Pro Mujer International | Mixed Method Evaluation of Motivations and Constraints to Cancer Treatment ....... 25Pro Mujer International | 2016-2018 Operational Plan .......................................................................................... 25LeapFrog Investments & BIMA | Understanding Clients & Building Social Impact Measurement Tools .............. 26Inter-American Development Bank's Multilateral Investment Fund | Evaluation of Rural Credit Project ............ 26Inter-American Development Bank's Multilateral Investment Fund | Women-Owned Businesses In Latin America ..................................................................................................................................................................... 26Aseguradora Rural | Health Insurance Product Design .......................................................................................... 26Inter-American Development Bank's Multilateral Investment Fund | Success and Failure of Small Businesses in Colombia ................................................................................................................................................................... 27Pro Mujer International | Strengthening Customer Insights Capacity ................................................................... 27Pro Mujer International | Product Costing Model .................................................................................................. 27Microinsurance Centre | Microinsurance Learning and Knowledge (MILK) Project .............................................. 27INISER & ILO Impact Insurance Facility | Strategic Plan and Product Development for Microinsurance .............. 27FINCA Mexico | Nonfinancial Services for Microcredit Borrowers ......................................................................... 28

ClientProtection....................................................................................................28SMART Campaign & Acción International | Client Protection Standards For Microinsurance .............................. 29


Confederação Nacional Das Empresas De Seguros (Cnseg) | Promoting Client Value, Financial Education, and Microinsurance in Brazil ........................................................................................................................................... 29Asociación Mutual De Protección Familiar (AMPF) Argentina & Inter-American Development Bank's Multilateral Investment Fund | Distribution of Microinsurance, Financial Education, and Customer Understanding ............ 29Microinsurance Network (MIN) | Drafting of Membership Principles ................................................................... 30Microinsurance Network | "Challenges And Practices In Consumer Protection In Microinsurance" ................... 30Inter-American Development Bank's Multilateral Investment Fund | Best Practices In Microfinance Supervision .................................................................................................................................................................................. 30

Migrants&FinancialServices...........................................................................31International Organization for Migration (IOM) | Financial Tools to Protect Migrants in Crisis ............................ 31New York City Office of Financial Empowerment, Department Of Consumer Affairs | Immigrant Financial Services Study ........................................................................................................................................................... 31Inter-American Development Bank's Multilateral Investment Fund | "Risks Across Borders" .............................. 31

FinancialInclusionintheUnitedStates.........................................................31Intuit & The Aspen Institute | Qualitative Analysis of Small Business Affected by Hurricane Harvey ................... 31Neighborhood Trust Financial Partners| Knowledge Mangement and Strategic Communications ...................... 31The Aspen Institute | Contingent Workers in the U.S. and Retirement Security ................................................... 31The Center for New York City Neighborhoods | Program Design to Encourage Savings for Clients in Mortgage Distress ..................................................................................................................................................................... 32Neighborhood Trust Financial Partners| Fintech Solutions for Employee Financial Health .................................. 32The Center for New York City Neighborhoods | Financial Counseling Toolkit Design & Training ......................... 33Community Solutions with Brownsville Partnerships | Financial Service Needs of Brownsville Residents ........... 33New York City Office of Financial Empowerment, Department Of Consumer Affairs | NYC Financial Counseling and Workforce Development Evaluation ................................................................................................................ 33Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED, now Prosperity Now) | Entrepreneur Financial Services Study .................................................................................................................................................................................. 34Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED, now Prosperity Now) | Microbusiness Solutions Learning Cluster ....................................................................................................................................................................... 34New York City Office of Financial Empowerment, Department of Consumer Affairs | Financial Empowerment Constituent Qualitative Research ............................................................................................................................ 34New York City Office of Financial Empowerment, Department of Consumer Affairs | Immigrant Financial Services Study ........................................................................................................................................................... 35

Savings.......................................................................................................................35The Aspen Institute | Contingent Workers in the U.S. and Retirement Security ................................................... 35UNCDF MicroLead Programme | Lessons on the Business Case for Small-Balance Savings Mobilization ............ 35Neighborhood Trust Financial Partners| Fintech Solutions for Employee Financial Health .................................. 35


The Center for New York City Neighborhoods | Program Design to Encourage Savings for Clients in Mortgage Distress ..................................................................................................................................................................... 35Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP / World Bank) | The Business Case For Youth Savings .................. 35

Health........................................................................................................................36AXA General Insurance & AXA-Egypt | Customer Insights Research for Inclusive Insurance Product Development ............................................................................................................................................................ 36CAF: The Development Bank of Latin America | Linking Telemedicine to Inclusive Health Insurance Distributed by Microfinance Institutions .................................................................................................................................... 36The International Labour Organization Impact Insurance Facility / Changamka | Health Insurance Product and Business Model Analysis & Strategy ........................................................................................................................ 36Pro Mujer International | Mixed Method Evaluation of Motivations and Constraints to Cancer Treatment ....... 37Microinsurance Centre | Microinsurance Learning and Knowledge (MILK) Project .............................................. 37Aseguradora Rural | Health Insurance Product Design .......................................................................................... 37ILO Impact Insurance Facility | Microinsurance Utilization in Nicaragua ............................................................... 37Global Development Network | Randomized Evaluation of Health Insurance for the Informal Sector ................ 38INISER & ILO Impact Insurance Facility | Strategic Plan and Product Development for Microinsurance .............. 38FINCA Uganda | Healthcare Services and Financing for Microcredit Borrowers ................................................... 39

FinancialServicesforRural&AgriculturalCommunities.......................39ILO Impact Insurance Facility & Global Action Network | Measuring Client Value from Index Insurance ............ 39UNCDF MicroLead Programme | Lessons on the Business Case for Small-Balance Savings Mobilization ............ 40InsuResilience Investment Fund & Crezcamos | Feasibility Study for Climate Insurance Products ...................... 40InsuResilience Investment Fund & Banco Continental | Feasibility Study for Climate Insurance Products .......... 40InsuResilience Investment Fund & Caja Sullana | Development of Marketing Strategy, Materials and Training on Climate Insurance ..................................................................................................................................................... 40Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP / World Bank) & The Microinsurance Centre | Information Overload? A Mixed Method Evaluation of the Impact of Bundling Microfinance Services ................................... 40Inter-American Development Bank's Multilateral Investment Fund | Evaluation of Rural Credit Project ............ 41Microinsurance Centre | Microinsurance Learning and Knowledge (MILK) Project .............................................. 41


Detailed Project Descriptions

Fintech&Innovation

JUMO|SocialImpactMeasurement&BuildingCustomerInsightsCapacityKenya,Tanzania,Zambia,SouthAfrica|2016

EA Consultants supported JUMO, a mobile financial services platform based in South Africa, to develop asimpleprocessthatallowedtheFintechprovidertounderstandbetterandmonitoritsimpactonlow-incomeclients.Additionally,wecollaboratedcloselywithJUMOtosupportthedevelopmentofanin-housecustomerinsightsteam,trainingtheteaminquantitativeandqualitativeresearchmeasuresaswellassupportingthemonlogisticalissues.Theworkincludeddesigninganddevelopingsurveytools,dataanalysis,andfieldworkwithastrongqualitativecomponentincludingin-depthinterviewsandfocusgroupwithJUMOusers.

Keywords:Fintech,DigitalLending,SocialImpactMeasurement,CustomerInsights,CapacityBuilding

ILOImpactInsuranceFacility&GlobalActionNetwork|MeasuringClientValuefromIndexInsuranceGlobal;PilotsinEthiopia,Kenya,Senegal,Zambia,Peru|2015-2016

For smallholder farmers, index (or parametric) insurance has emerged as an alternative to traditionalindemnity-basedcrop insurancebecause it lowers thecostof lossassessmentafteradverseclimateevents,helpsreducetheproblemsofmoralhazardandadverseselection,andcanpotentiallyscaletoalargernumberofinsuredclientsduetoitslowercost.But,howdoesthevalueofindexinsurancestackupfromthefarmers’perspective?Alongwithaworkinggroupofacademicandaction-basedresearchers,EAConsultantsdesignedaclient-valueassessmenttoolforagriculturalindexinsuranceproducts,aimedatbuildingaconcisetoolthatdrewfromexistingapproaches.EAalsoledapilotinfourdifferentcountries,atthesametimetestingthetoolandassessingthevalueofexistingproductsinSenegal,Kenya,Ethiopia,andPeru.Theconsultancyincludedafinalreportwithrecommendationsforimprovementsinboththetoolandtheproductsitassessed.

Keywords:Rural&Agriculture,Microinsurance,ProductInnovation,ClientValue

CAF:TheDevelopmentBankofLatinAmerica|LinkingTelemedicinetoInclusiveHealthInsuranceDistributedbyMicrofinanceInstitutionsEcuador,Venezuela|2013-2016

EA Consultants supported CAF in a unique program that brought together various stakeholders to offerremotespecialistmedicalservicesto low-incomeandruralpopulations inEcuador. Theprograminvolvedaprivate telemedicine software provider, amedical provider network, amicrofinance institution, and a non-profitproviderof financialandhealtheducationservices. Our rolewas toofferCAFstrategicandtechnicaladvisorythroughouttheproject,monitoritsresultsanddocumenttheseforfuturereplication.EAConsultantsre-framed the project as lessons developed and created a unique value proposition for the local medicalnetworkexecuting theproject.Thework includedmeasuringproviderusage, financial results,andtechnicalknowledge,aswellasbasicindicatorsfortrackingprogramcostsacrossstakeholderstoevaluatethebusinesscase. Additionally, EA Consultants implemented client-centered research at the end of the pilot phase toassessthevaluethatclientsobtainedfromtheservices.

Keywords:Health,Technology,Microinsurance,Monitoring&Evaluation,StrategyConsulting


LeapFrogInvestments&BIMA|UnderstandingClients&BuildingSocialImpactMeasurementToolsGlobal;PilotinGhana&Bangladesh|2013-2014

EAConsultantswascontractedbyMicroinsuranceCentretosupportLeapFrogInvestments,theglobalimpactinvestor,todesignandpilotaclientsurveystrategyforBIMA,theSweden-basedmicroinsurancecarrier,withthe goal of assessing the extent to which BIMA’s life microinsurance products were reaching low-incomeclients.UsingGrameen’sProgressOutofPovertyIndex,EAdesignedasurveyinstrument,animplementationprocess, and an analysis strategy that allowed BIMA to estimate the proportion of its client base living atdifferentincomelevels.Theinstrumentalsoincludedquestionstoassessclients’awarenessandpreferences,disaggregatedbyincomegroup,gender,andregioninthefinalanalysis.AfteranEA-ledpilotinGhana,BIMAscaled up the survey to its other nationalmarkets andwent on towin theMastercard Foundation’s 2015‘ClientsattheCentre’award.

Keywords:Microinsurance,SocialImpactMeasurement,Gender,CustomerInsights,CapacityBuilding

Safaricom’sLindaJamii&ILOImpactInsuranceFacility|HealthInsuranceProductandBusinessModelAnalysis&StrategyKenya|2014

EA Consultantsworkedwith the ILO’sMicroinsurance Innovation Facility (now called the Impact InsuranceFacility)toevaluateaninnovativehealthmicroinsuranceproductinKenyathatwasofferedthroughauniquepartnership between Safaricom (the country’s largest mobile network and mobile money operator),Changamka Health (an insurance intermediary), and Britam (a multinational insurance company). Ourassignment includeda situationaldiagnosticof theproduct, including clientandnon-clientperceptionsandproductexperiences,anevaluationofdistributionchannels,costingandfinancialanalysis,andareviewofthemanagementof themedical facilitynetwork. Inaddition to theevaluation,EAConsultants recommendedachange in the value proposition offered by each stakeholder, as well as recommended specific steps tostrengthenandimprovetheproduct,itsmanagement,anddistribution.

Keywords:Health,Microinsurance,CustomerInsights,BusinessModelAnalysis,StrategyConsulting

Strategy&BusinessCase

THEMIX|StrategicPlanningforFinclusionLabUnitedStates|2017

EAConsultantssupportedastrategicplanningprocess foroneof the flagship financial inclusionproductsatThe Mix: Finclusion Lab. EA Consultants worked closely with senior management and the CEO to gatherlessonsandexperiencesoftheplatformoverthepast2yearsandprepareastrategicplanningmeeting.WefacilitatedthemeetingwithseniormanagementandaBoardmemberoftheMixandprovidedpost-meetinginsightsonactionablenextsteps.

Keywords:StrategicPlanning,FinancialInclusion,Technology

UNCDFMicroLeadProgramme|LessonsontheBusinessCaseforSmall-BalanceSavingsMobilizationBenin,BurkinaFaso,Burundi,Cameroon,Ghana,Liberia,Malawi,Rwanda,Tanzania,Uganda|2016-2017


EAConsultantsdevelopedafoundationalknowledgereportonthebusinesscaseforprovidingsmall-balancesavings services to low-incomehouseholds,witha focuson ruralpopulationsandwomen inAfrica, savingsgroup linkages, and alternative delivery channels such as doorstep deposit collection, agent, and mobilemoney networks. The work was based on case studies of 13 technical assistance projects supported byUNCDF’s MicroLead Program. In addition to a foundational knowledge management report, we led aninteractiveworkshopwithMicroLead Partners in Tanzania to share findings from the research and discussopportunitiesforfurtherstrengtheningthebusinesscaseamongpartners.

Keywords:Savings,Technology,BusinessCase,Research,Strategy

ConsultativeGrouptoAssistthePoor(CGAP/WorldBank)|FirmValueMeasurement&BusinessCaseforCustomerCentricityGlobal|2015-2016

EAConsultantswascontractedbyCGAPtodevelopavaluemeasurementconstruct(inclusiveofthebusinesscase)forfinancialserviceprovidersinadoptingormaintainingcustomer-centricbusinesspractices.Theworkincludedexpandingandrefiningtheexistingapproachtofirmvalue,validatingthetoolwithfinancialserviceproviders,developingcasestudies,draftingexternalknowledgepiecesonthetopic,andincorporatingthefirmvalueconstructintootherelementsofCGAP’swork.

Keywords:BusinessCase,Research,Strategy,FinancialInclusion

ProMujerInternational|2016-2018OperationalPlanLatinAmerica|2015

EAConsultantssupportedProMujerInternationalduringatransitionphasetodevelopanoperationalplanforits microfinance operations in the field as well as Head Office activities. The process included reviewingdocuments, including financial budgets and planning documents. We met with members of the Board,managementandstaff tobetterunderstandhumanresourceandoperationalopportunitiesandconstraintsandreviewedprojectplansforinvestmentsinIT,clientinsights,impactandotherprograms.Theresultwasadetailedworkplanaswellashigh-levelrecommendationstotheBoardandmanagement.

Keywords:Strategy,Microfinance,BusinessCase,Gender

ConsultativeGrouptoAssistthePoor(CGAP/WorldBank)|TheBusinessCaseforYouthSavingsGlobal|2013-2014

EA Consultants developed a framework for assessing the business case for an institution to offer savingsproductstoyouthclientsunderage25throughananalysisofmacro-leveldata,in-depthqualitativeinterviewswithfinancialserviceprovidersofferingyouthsavingsproductsandotherstakeholdersandadeskreviewofrelevantliterature.Findingswereconsolidatedintoaframeworkdescribingthebusinesscaseaccordingtothemarket, institutional, and client context, and shared through awebinar explaining the framework to selectfinancial institutions,donorsandotherstakeholders.CGAPpublishedafocusnoteonthestudy’s findings inJuly2014.


InternationalFinanceCorporation(IFC)&BancodeFinanzas(BdF)|DiagnosticofSMEandHousingUnitsNicaragua|2008-2009


EA Consultants, with ShoreBank International under contract with the International Financial Corporation(IFC), conducted a diagnostic of Banco de Finanzas’ SME andHousingunits. BDF is the leading bank in thecountry’shousingmarketandhadmadesignificantstrides indownscaling intomicroandSMEfinance. ThefocusoftheassignmentwastoprovidespecificrecommendationsforstrategiestostrengthenBDF’spositionintheSMEandlower-incomehousingsegmentsinNicaragua.

Keywords:Microfinance,SMEFinance,Housing,BusinessCase,Strategy

InternationalFinanceCorporation(IFC)&Banex(FormerlyFindesa)|StrategicPlanNicaragua|2008

EAConsultantswithShoreBank International (NowEnclude),undercontractwith the InternationalFinancialCorporation(IFC),conductedarevisionofthestrategicplanforFindesa,aregulatedfinancialinstitutionthatprovides services tomicro and small, andmediumenterprises (MSME) inNicaragua. The six-monthprojectconsistedofthreecomponentsincludingadiagnosticofinternalcreditpoliciesandprocedures,organizationalstructure,operations,humanresources,andIT;amarketassessmentofFindesa’scompetitivepositionintheMSME market; and final recommendations to Findesa’s strategic plan. The project involved a revision ofFINDESA’s existing client segmentation strategy with specific recommendations for improving clientsatisfactionwith amore appropriate segmentation of clients. The assignment led to recommendations tofurtherFindesa’salreadycompetitivepositionintheMSMEmarket.

Keywords:StrategicPlanning,Microfinance,ClientCenteredResearch

FINCAUganda|HealthcareServicesandFinancingforMicrocreditBorrowersUganda|2007-2008

EA Consultants collaborated in the design of an innovative financially sustainable proposal to encourage astrategicpartnershipbetweenFINCAUgandaandMicrocare,anationalhealthinsurancecompanyinUganda,to provide micro-entrepreneurs at FINCA Uganda with increased access to healthcare. EA Consultants’contributions included the design of a savings-based health insurance premium financing scheme, thedefinitionoftherolesandresponsibilitiesofthepartnersinthestrategicalliance,adefinitionoftrainingandHRrequirementsforFINCAUganda,aplanforproductrefinement,amarketingstrategy,afinancialmodeltoensuresustainability,andanoverallbudget.TheprojectwasfundedbytheInternationalLabourOrganizationunderitsMicroinsuanceInnovationGrantFacility.

Keywords:Microinsurance,Savings,Microfinance,ProductInnovation,BusinessCase

InclusiveInsurance

AXAGeneralInsurance&AXA-Egypt|CustomerInsightsResearchforInclusiveInsuranceProductDevelopmentEgypt|2017

EA Consultants conducted a study of customer needs for AXA-Egypt, with an emphasis on understandingcustomers’potentialdemandforhealthinsurance.Theworkhadastronggenderfocus,aswomenareoftenchargedwithdealingwith thecommonhealthneedsof their families.Theworkbeganwithaworkshopforinsurance and bankmanagement staff to align around the research approach. The study included in-depthinterviewsandfocusgroupswithclientsoflocalmicrofinanceinstitutions.Basedonthisqualitativeresearch,


EA designed prototypes for three new products, suggested modifications to existing products, andimprovementstoclienteducation,andwillbetestingtheseproductsinasecondphaseofquantitativework.

Keywords:Microinsurance,Research,CustomerInsights,ProductInnovation,Health,Gender,Microfinance




AXAGeneralInsurance&AXA-MANDIRI|CustomerInsightsResearchforInclusiveInsuranceProductDevelopmentIndonesia|2016-2017

EAConsultantsconductedastudyofclientneedsforAXA-Mandiri,ajointventuregeneralinsurancecompanyinIndonesia.Theworkbeganwithaworkshopforinsuranceandbankmanagementstafftoalignaroundtheresearchapproach.Thestudy included in-depth interviewsandfocusgroupswithclientsof twodistributionchannels,MandiriRetail,andMandiriMicrobusiness.Basedonthequalitativework,EAdesignedprototypesfor threenewproducts suggestedmodifications toexistingproductsand improvementsonclienteducationand finally tested these on Mandiri clients through brief quantitative surveys. Lastly, EA made clearrecommendationstoAXA-Mandiriforthemostpromisingsolutions.

Keywords:Microinsurance,Research,CustomerInsights,ProductInnovation

InsuResilienceInvestmentFund&CREZCAMOS|FeasibilityStudyforClimateInsuranceProductsColombia|2017

EA Consultants conducted a feasibility study for a largemicrofinance institution in Colombia to assess themarket and business case for developing and distributing climate insurance products. Thework included amarketstudyondemandforclimate insurance inColombia,withafocusoncropand livestockproductsforsmallholder farmers and weather insurance for rural microentrepreneurs. The work included designingqualitative research instruments, conducting in-country fieldwork, as well as a quantitative market sizinganalysisusingnationalcensusandother surveydata,andproprietarydataon themicrofinance institution’sborrowers.

Keywords:Rural&Agriculture, Climate,Microinsurance,MarketResearch,Product Innovation,Strategy&BusinessCase


InsuResilienceInvestmentFund&BancoContinental|FeasibilityStudyforClimateInsuranceProductsParaguay|2016-2017

EAConsultantssupportedBancoContinental,Paraguay’slargestlocally-ownedbank,indevelopingafeasibilitystudyfordesigningandsellingclimateinsuranceproductstothebank’sclients.Thestudyincludedademand-sideassessmentofclientneedsandinterestinclimateinsuranceandabusinesscaseanalysisofthepotentialfortheproducttosucceed.Additionally,EAConsultantswroteareportfortheInsuResilienceInvestmentFundon theoverall potential for climate insuranceproducts in Paraguay, analyzingpast products and initiatives,infrastructure,dataavailabilityandmarketconditions.

Keywords:Rural&Agriculture,Climate,Microinsurance,MarketResearch,Strategy&BusinessCase

InsuResilienceInvestmentFund&CajaSullana|DevelopmentofMarketingStrategy,Materials&TrainingonClimateInsurancePeru|2016-2017

EA Consultants supported the internal insurance business of Caja Sullana, one of the largest creditcooperatives inPeruandamicroinsurancedistributor,bydevelopingmarketingmaterials, staff trainingandclient education sessions on an agricultural insurance product. The work involved preparing in-depthdiagnosticsofstaffandcustomers’existingunderstandingoftheproductandaddressinggaps inknowledgethrough training and marketing. EA developed a radio ad with client testimonials, as well as brochures,posters, and internal marketing and training material. EA also worked closely with Caja Sullana’s insurerpartner to develop client-centered education centered. Finally, EA developed an in-depth staff trainingmodule and trained trainers to replicate it throughout the organization – focusing not only on climateinsurancebutresponsiblesalesofinsuranceproductsingeneral.

Keywords:Rural&Agriculture,Climate,Microinsurance,Marketing,FinancialEducation,SalesTraining

MicroinsuranceCentre|MicroinsuranceLearningandKnowledge(MILK)ProjectGlobal|2010-2014EA Consultants collaborated on amajor donor’s US$ 2million project to provide clarity on two key issuesregarding microinsurance—is there a value for low-income people, and is there a business case? TheMicroinsurance Learning and Knowledge (MILK) project studied a variety of microinsurance models andproducts through quantitative and qualitative research. It sought to fill some of the gaps in the currentunderstandingofclientvalueandthebusinesscasewhilehelpingbringtogetherthevariouspartiesinvolvedin microinsurance research. EA Consultants led the project’s client value initiative, designing andimplementingoriginal studies ofmicroinsuranceproducts around theworld, aswell as usingdesk researchand collaborative efforts with other researchers to generate and share lessons about the value ofmicroinsurancetolow-incomeclientsandtheirfamilies.

Keywords: Microinsurance, Market Research, Distribution, Client Math, Rural & Agriculture, Gender,KnowledgeManagement

MICROSERFIN|MicroinsuranceStrategyandProductDesignPanama,February2012-October2012

EAConsultantsworkedwithMicroserfin,oneof the largestmicrofinance institutions inPanamaandpartofthe BBVA Development Group, on developing a microinsurance strategy and pilot project. The projectincluded a study of the market focused on the evaluation of existing microfinance opportunities andmechanismsforovercomingthechallengeslow-incomeclientsofMicroserfinmayface.Suchchallengeswere


determinedthroughqualitativefocusgroupinterviewswithsegmentsofpotentialclientsidentifiedthroughaquantitativeanalysisofMicroserfin’sclientdata.Furthermore,EAConsultantsreviewedtherecentregulatorychanges inmicroinsurance toensure thatall elementsof thepilotprojectwouldbe feasiblegiven thenewrestrictions and regulations. Finally, our product design integrated a branding strategy and thecommercialization of these products across the existing agency infrastructure through capacity buildingmaterialstohelpandsupportthesaleofmicroinsurance.

Keywords:Microinsurance,Research,CustomerInsights,ProductInnovation,Distribution,Microfinance

AseguradoraRural|HealthInsuranceProductDesignGuatemala|2012-2013

EA Consultants was contracted to provide strategic guidance and coaching to Aseguradora Rural in thedevelopmentofabasiclow-costhealthinsuranceproductforlowincomeGuatemalanswithafocusonlow-incomewomenandhomemakersandotherclientsof the insurer’saffiliateddistributionnetwork,Banrural.The strategic support led to ongoing technical assistance collaboration over two additional years with theinstitutiontoassistindesigningmarketresearchandcoachingin-housestaffondevelopingandservicinglow-incomemarketproducts.

Keywords:Microinsurance,MarketResearch,ProjectInnovation,Distribution,Health,Gender

MicroinsuranceCentre|MicroinsuranceLandscapeinLatinAmericaLatinAmericaandtheCaribbean|2012

EAConsultantsmobilizedateamoflocalanalyststocollectdatafromtwenty-oneLatinAmericancountriesontheavailabilityofmicroinsuranceproductsineachcounty.Theinformationincludedananalysisofobstaclestodevelopingthesemarketsaswellascurrentopportunitiesforthemarket. ItwaspartofaninitiativewiththeInter-AmericanDevelopmentBank’sMultilateralInvestmentFund(FOMIN)tobuildtheirunderstandingofopportunitiestopromotemicroinsuranceintheregion.

Keywords:Microinsurance,MarketResearch,Distribution,KnowledgeManagement

INISER&ILOImpactInsuranceFacility|StrategicPlanandProductDevelopmentforMicroinsuranceNicaragua|2009-2010

EAConsultantswascontractedbyINISER,Nicaragua’slargestinsurancecompanyandtheInternationalLabourOrganization’s Impact Insurance Facility to conduct a feasibility study and design a strategic program formicroinsuranceforINISER.EAConsultantshelpedINISERidentifyappropriateagentsanddeliverychannelsfornew microinsurance products, assess market demand, design products, and assess the operational andinformation systems needs of the insurer and its potential agents. The final product was a strategic andimplementationplanforINISER’smicroinsuranceactivities.

Keywords:Microinsurance,MarketResearch,ProductInnovation,Distribution,Microfinance,Gender

FondodeSolidaridadeInversiónSocial(FOSIS)&ILOImpactInsuranceFacility|MicroinsuranceforMicroandSmallBusinessesChile|2010-2011

EAConsultantscollaboratedwithFOSISwiththesupportoftheILOIIFinthedesignofasupportprogramformicroinsuranceformicroandsmallbusinessesinChile.Theprojectincludedananalysisofcurrentdemandin


thecountry,businessesofferingmicroinsuranceandfinancialanalysis.Additionally,theconductedastudyofdemand, consisting of analysis of different segments of the target population throughmining data on thecurrent and potential microinsurance clients, interviews with banking and microfinance institutions,conducting focusgroupswithmicroandsmallenterprisesandsurveys.Theprojectculminated inaproductdesignand thepotential interventionofFOSIS inhelpingassure thediffusionandcommercializationof thisproduct.

Keywords:Microinsurance,MarketResearch,ProductInnovation,Distribution,Strategy

ILOImpactInsuranceFacility|Migration-LinkedMicroinsuranceGlobal|2010

EAConsultantsworkedwiththeInternationalLabourOrganization’sMicroinsuranceInnovationFacility(nowcalled the Impact Insurance Facility) to undertake a comprehensive mapping of existing microinsuranceproducts targeted to migrants worldwide. The purpose of the study was to inform the ILO/MIIF and themicroinsurance community on existing and potential models that could help to broaden access tomicroinsuranceservicesbyofferingthesetomigrantsandofferrecommendationsforexpandingthisaccess.

Keywords:Microinsurance,MarketResearch,Migrants,KnowledgeManagement



Keywords:Microinsurance,Savings,Microfinance,ProductInnovation,BusinessCase

SupportingDoubleBottomLineInvestors

Intuit&TheAspenInstitute|QualitativeAnalysisofSmallBusinessAffectedbyHurricaneHarveyHouston|2017

EAConsultantscollaboratedwithIntuittoconductqualitativeinterviewswithsmallbusinessclientsandnon-clientsofQuickBookssoftwarefollowingHurricaneHarveyintheHoustonArea.Ourworkresultedinasetofbusiness insights and recommendations for Intuit’s various business lines on engaging with clients post-disaster.Additionally,wedevelopedasetofhypothesesandresearchquestionsforfutureresearchwithIntuitandtheAspenInstituteaboutsmallbusinesses’disasterresilience.

Keywords:Climate,SmallBusiness,CustomerInsights,Fintech,Strategy


AXAGeneralInsurance&AXA-MANDIRI|CustomerInsightsResearchforInclusiveInsuranceProductDevelopmentIndonesia|2016-2017

EAConsultantsconductedastudyofclientneedsforAXA-Mandiri,ajointventuregeneralinsurancecompanyinIndonesia.Theworkbeganwithaworkshopforinsuranceandbankmanagementstafftoalignaroundtheresearchapproach.Thestudy included in-depth interviewsandfocusgroupswithclientsof twodistributionchannels,MandiriRetail,andMandiriMicrobusiness.Basedonthequalitativework,EAdesignedprototypesfor threenewproducts suggestedmodifications toexistingproductsand improvementsonclienteducationand finally tested these on Mandiri clients through brief quantitative surveys. Lastly, EA made clearrecommendationstoAXA-Mandiriforthemostpromisingsolutions.

Keywords:Microinsurance,Research,CustomerInsights,ProductInnovation




JUMO|SocialImpactMeasurement&BuildingCustomerInsightsCapacityKenya,Tanzania,Zambia,SouthAfrica|2016

EA Consultants supported JUMO, a mobile financial services platform based in South Africa, to develop asimpleprocessthatallowedtheFintechprovidertounderstandbetterandmonitoritsimpactonlow-incomeclients.Additionally,wecollaboratedcloselywithJUMOtosupportthedevelopmentofanin-housecustomerinsightsteam,trainingtheteaminquantitativeandqualitativeresearchmeasuresaswellassupportingthemonlogisticalissues.Theworkincludeddesigninganddevelopingsurveytools,dataanalysis,andfieldworkwithastrongqualitativecomponentincludingin-depthinterviewsandfocusgroupwithJUMOusers.

Keywords:Fintech,DigitalLending,SocialImpactMeasurement,CustomerInsights,CapacityBuilding

LeapfrogLabs|CustomerUnderstanding,SegmentationandProtectionWorkshopGlobal|2014

EA Consultants designed and implemented a Customer Understanding, Segmentation, and ProtectionWorkshop for investee companies of LeapFrog Investments as part of its Global Knowledge Sharing Series.The project involved gathering existing practices and challenges from investee companies as well as bestpracticesinthefieldtodesignaninteractivelearningexperience.Theworkculminatedina3-dayworkshopinNovember2014oncollection,analysisanduseofclientdata,clientprotection,andusingclientinformationtosupportastrongercommercialandclientvalueproposition.EAConsultants leadtheworkshopsessionsandsupportedparticipantsduringandaftertheworkshopinthedevelopmentofcompany-specificactionplansinclientunderstandingandclientprotection.

Keywords:CustomerInsights,Microinsurance,Research,Tools,Training


TripleJumpAdvisoryServices|MeasuringtheSocialImpactofMicrofinanceInstitutionsBolivia,Guatemala,Paraguay|2013EAConsultantspartneredwithTripleJumpto investigatethesocial impactmeasurementstrategiesofthreeLatinAmericanmicrofinanceinstitutions:FundaciónParaguaya,IDEPRO,andFundaciónGénesisEmpresarial.Usinglongitudinalclientdatafromeachinstitution,EAconductedananalysisofclients’progressovertimeona variety of social performance indicators. In addition, EA assessed each institution’s data managementprocessesandmakingrecommendationstoimprovetheaccuracyandefficiencyofitsevaluationefforts.ThefinalreportwillincludelessonslearnedandstrategiestoencouragemorewidespreadeffortsamongMFIstomonitortheirsocialimpactonclients.

Keywords:Impact,Microfinance,KnowledgeManagement

LeapFrogInvestments&BIMA|UnderstandingCustomers&BuildingSocialImpactMeasurementToolsGlobal;PilotinGhana&Bangladesh|2013-2014



Inter-AmericanDevelopmentBank’sMultilateralInvestmentFund|EvaluationofTechnicalAssistancetoStrengthenFinancialInstitutionsLatinAmerica|2012-2013

EA Consultants performed a strategic evaluation of a US$10 million technical cooperation line (IDB/MIF:EvaluationofTheSecondLineofActivityforStrengtheningFinancialInstitutionsforMicroenterprise)aimedatstrengthening financial institutions offering services to low-income segments in Latin America and theCaribbean.Theevaluationincludedareviewof29projectsandvisitstoover10institutionsinPeru,Mexico,Nicaragua,andHondurasaswell asonline surveys, telephone interviewsanddesk reviews. Theevaluationresultedinstrategicguidanceonfuturetechnicalcooperationactivities,specificallythoserelatedtoworkingwithfinancialinstitutionstargetinglow-incomeandMSMEclients.Additionally,thefinalprogramevaluationwasusedfortheMIF’smonitoringandevaluationreporting.Finally,apublicdocumentfordisseminationor“Recipe” paper was produced to distribute to stakeholders, existing and potential recipients of technicalcooperationfunds,and IDBstaff.Thedocumentoutlinessomeof themain lessons fromtheSecondLineofActivity and makes concrete recommendations about implementation of projects for institutionalstrengtheningandtransformation,ruraldevelopment,downscaling,andworkingthroughnetworkandother“clustered”institutions.

Keywords:Evaluation,Strategy,Rural&Agriculture,KnowledgeManagement

MicroinsuranceCentre|EvaluationofMicroinsuranceGrantsGlobal|2010


EAConsultantswascontractedbytheMicroInsuranceCentretocollaborateonanevaluationteamforamajordonor’sUS$70milliongrantsinmicroinsuranceinIndia;Pakistan;thePhilippines;Tanzania;andGhanaamongother countries. The work resulted in a set of strategic recommendations for future contributions of thisdonor in the field. Inparticular,EAConsultants focusedon the lessons thathavebeengenerated fromthegrants and to what extent these have been effective in bringing interest and further investment inmicroinsurance.

Keywords:Evaluation,Strategy,Microinsurance,KnowledgeManagement

Impact&SocialPerformance

TripleJumpAdvisoryServices|MeasuringtheSocialImpactofMicrofinanceInstitutionsBolivia,Guatemala&Paraguay,September2013-January2014EAConsultantspartneredwithTripleJumpto investigatethesocial impactmeasurementstrategiesofthreeLatinAmericanmicrofinanceinstitutions:FundaciónParaguaya,IDEPRO,andFundaciónGénesisEmpresarial.Usinglongitudinalclientdatafromeachinstitution,EAconductedananalysisofclients’progressovertimeona variety of social performance indicators. In addition, EA assessed each institution’s data managementprocessesandmakingrecommendationstoimprovetheaccuracyandefficiencyofitsevaluationefforts.ThefinalreportwillincludelessonslearnedandstrategiestoencouragemorewidespreadeffortsamongMFIstomonitortheirsocialimpactonclients.

Keywords:SocialImpactMeasurement,Microfinance,KnowledgeManagement

ProMujerInternational|MixedMethodEvaluationofMotivationsandConstraintstoCancerTreatmentBolivia|2015-2016EA Consultants was contracted by Pro Mujer to lead a mixed-method evaluation of the motivations andconstraints to seeking care among its clientswhowere battlingwith cancer or precancerous conditions inBolivia.Thestudyfocusedontheroleofthein-housescreeningservicesandacashinsurancepayoutofferedby ProMujer. EA conducted structured qualitative interviews with ProMujer clients to understand theirtreatment paths, motivations, and barriers to seeking care, costs incurred and financing tools (includinginsurance)thattheyused.

Keywords:SocialImpactMeasurement,Microfinance,Health,Gender

ConsultativeGrouptoAssistthePoor(CGAP/WorldBank)&TheMicroinsuranceCentre|InformationOverload?AMixedMethodEvaluationoftheImpactofBundlingMicrofinanceServicesColombia|2014-2015EAConsultantswassubcontractedbytheMicroinsuranceCentretosupportastudyinColombiaoftheimpactof different approaches to offering an insurance product (at the time of a loan offer or later) on clientunderstanding and take-up. The study used a randomized control trial (RCT) methodology, offering aninsuranceproducttosomemicrocreditclientsatthetimeoftheloantransactionandtootherclientsatalaterdate. It involved developing tools for the sales force aimed at educating clients about the product in astandard and consistent manner, including a short video, sales techniques, and calculators. Clientunderstandingandperceptionsweremeasuredthroughatelephonequestionnaireafterthesale.Qualitative


interviewswithclientscomplementedthequantitativefindings. EAConsultantssupportedallphasesof thestudy’sdesignandanalysis,andledfieldwork.

Keywords:SocialImpactMeasurement,Microinsurance,Rural&Agriculture,Distribution,Research,Training,ConsumerProtection,KnowledgeManagement

FINCAInternational|MeasuringClientEmpowermentandAchievementofAspirationsNicaragua|2011-2012EAConsultantsledaneffortindeterminingtheappropriatequestions,tools,andprocessesformeasuringtherelationshipbetweenloanproductsandtheempowermentandachievementofpersonalaspirationsofglobalclientsofFINCA.TheeffortwaspartofaninitiativeinFINCAtoestablishindicatorsofsuccessfulexecutionandprocesses ensuring those outcomes. Recommendations regarding general changes for FINCA Internationalwere also given. Tools and processes were developed for monitoring and measuring empowerment andachievementofpersonalaspirationsofclients.

Keywords:SocialImpactMeasurement,Evaluation,Microfinance,Gender,Tools,Training




MicroinsuranceCentre|MicroinsuranceLearningandKnowledge(MILK)ProjectGlobal|2010-2014EA Consultants collaborated on amajor donor’s US$ 2million project to provide clarity on two key issuesregarding microinsurance—Is there a value for low-income people? and Is there a business case? TheMicroinsurance Learning and Knowledge (MILK) project studied a variety of microinsurance models andproducts through quantitative and qualitative research. It sought to fill some of the gaps in the currentunderstandingofclientvalueandthebusinesscasewhilehelpingbringtogetherthevariouspartiesinvolvedin microinsurance research. EA Consultants led the project’s client value initiative, designing andimplementingoriginal studies ofmicroinsuranceproducts around theworld, aswell as usingdesk researchand collaborative efforts with other researchers to generate and share lessons about the value ofmicroinsurancetolow-incomeclientsandtheirfamilies.

Keywords:Microinsurance,SocialImpactMeasurement,MarketResearch,Distribution,ClientMath,Rural&Agriculture,Gender,KnowledgeManagement


Inter-AmericanDevelopmentBank’sMultilateralInvestmentFund|Women-OwnedBusinessesinLatinAmericaLatinAmericaRegional|2009-2010

EA Consultants worked with the Inter-American Development Bank’s Multilateral Investment Fund on acomprehensiveresearchstudytoexaminetheconstraintstogrowthinwomen’sbusinessesinLatinAmericaand the Caribbean (LAC). The research included a desk study to analyze LAC best practices and to gatheravailablesecondaryinformationforBolivia,Colombia,Guatemala,Mexico,Nicaragua,andPeru.Theresearchinvolved specific case studies inColombia,Nicaragua,Guatemala, andPeru that includeda review financialinstitutions’ data to understand the demographic and business profiles of their loan clients by gender, tounearth potential causes of gender gaps. Based on the results of the datamining,we collected qualitativeinformation to complement the findings. Findings were presented at the XII Annual FOROMIC conferencesponsoredbytheIDBinArequipa,andtheIDBpublishedafinalreport,“ABusinesstoCallHerOwn.”

Keywords:Evaluation,Microfinance,Gender,Research,KnowledgeManagement

ILOImpactInsuranceFacility|MicroinsuranceUtilizationinNicaraguaNicaragua|2009-2010

EA Consultantswas awarded a research grant for a study onmicroinsurance utilization in Nicaragua: “Thedemandforandtheeffectsofinsuranceenrollmentamonginformalsectorworkers.”ThestudysoughttogainagreaterunderstandingofthehealthclaimscharacteristicsoftheinformalsectorinNicaraguaaswellasthehealth outcomes on children covered by health insurance and the role of quality in the utilization andretentioninhealthinsurance.ThestudywascompletedincollaborationwiththeUniversityofMichigan.

Keywords:SocialImpactMeasurement,Evaluation,Microfinance,Microinsurance,Health,Research

GlobalDevelopmentNetwork|RandomizedEvaluationofHealthInsurancefortheInformalSectorNicaragua|2007-2009

EA Consultants implemented an experimental randomized evaluation of a pilot program in Nicaragua thatextendssocialsecurityhealthinsurancetotheinformalsector.Throughthispilotprogram,Nicaragua’sSocialSecurityInstitute(INSS)contractedthreemicrofinanceinstitutions:ACODEP,BancoProcredit,andFindesatomarketitshealthinsurancetotheirclients,affiliatenewsubscribersandcollectpaymentthroughMFIbranchnetworks. The randomized evaluation analyzed the determinants of take up of insurance, the effect ofsubsidies, adverse selection, the value of information, and the value of selling and collecting insurancepremiumsthroughMFIs.Thistwo-yearactivitywasco-fundedwiththeUSAID-fundedPSP-OneprogramandrepresentsastrongcollaborationwithalocalresearchfirminNicaragua.

Keywords: Social Impact Measurement, Evaluation, Microfinance, Microinsurance, Health, Research,KnowledgeManagement

UnitedStatesAgencyforInternationalDevelopment(USAID)|EffectsoftheGlobalFinancialCrisisonMicrofinanceInstitutionsGlobal|2008-2009

EA Consultants was commissioned by USAID to examine the current and potential effects of the globalfinancial crisis onmicrofinance institutionsworldwide. The paper identified themain risks to the industrygeneratedbythecrisisandprovidedstrategicrecommendationsonhowindustrystakeholderscouldcushiontheireffects. Theresearchprocess includedan investorsurvey,extensive interviewswithdonors, investors


andmicrofinanceinstitutionsaswellasdeskresearchandquantitativeanalysis.TheresearchwaspublishedasaMicroReport,“WilltheBottomofthePyramidHitBottom?TheEffectsoftheGlobalCreditCrisisontheMicrofinanceSector,”andaMicroNotepresentedaspartofUSAID’sAfterHoursSeriesontheCreditCrunch.

Keywords:SocialImpactMeasurement,Microfinance,Research,KnowledgeManagement

FordFoundation&NewYorkUniversity|ProMujerNicaragua:StrategicAnalysisofNon-FinancialServices

Nicaragua,February2007-May2007EA Consultants performed a rigorous, comprehensive strategic analysis of Pro Mujer Nicaragua (PMN), anetworkedmicrofinanceinstitutionthatoffersfinancialandnon-financialservicestoitsclients. Theanalysisfocused on PMN’s provision of non-financial services. It was presented to PMN in the form of specificrecommendationstostreamlinetheseservices,whichimplementationwascarriedout.Thefinalproductwasa case study for a Ford Foundation paper on “Smart Subsidies” thatwas published as a part of a broaderpublicationinthefallof2007.ThecasestudyanalyzedPMN’snon-financialservicesandprovidedguidancetodonors about the effectiveness of these serviceswith recommendations to evaluate their comparative andabsoluteadvantageswhenfundingsubsidizednon-financialservices.

Keywords:Microfinance,Microinsurance,Health,Gender,Research,KnowledgeManagement

AdvancingMicrofinanceModels

FinancieraFundeser|MicroCurrencyHedgeProductDesignNicaragua|2017

EAConsultantssupportedFinancieraFundeserinthedevelopmentofalocalcurrencyloanforitsmicrofinanceclients thatwas not indexed to theUS dollar. Thework included both in depth client insightwork and anassessment of the commercial, risk, technology and financial context of the business. it resulted in thedevelopment of a currency “hedge” product, and a correspondingmarketing and staff training strategy tosupportthisinnovativeproduct.The“hedge”productisscheduledtobelaunchedin2017inapilotphaseandexpandedin2018.

Keywords:Strategy,CustomerInsights,ProductInnovation,Microfinance,BusinessCase

CalmeadowFoundation&Inter-AmericanDevelopmentBank’sMultilateralInvestmentFund|ResearchonWomen’sLeadershipinMicrofinanceLatinAmericaRegional|2015-2016

EA Consultants collaborated with Andares, Mujeres par alas Microfinanzas to conduct a study of 136microfinanceinstitutionsandbanks inLatinAmericaandtheCaribbeantounderstandtheroleofwomeninfinancialinstitutionsservinglowincomecustomers,withanemphasisontheleadershipoftheseinstitutions.We surveyedmicrofinance institutions regionally and additionally conducted qualitative research to betterunderstandthebarriers to leadershipexperiencedbywomenandproposesolutionsat the institutionalanddonorleveltoreducetheimbalance.Thestudyisavailableas“EmpezandoporCasa:ElliderazgofemeninoenlasentidadesdemicrofinanzasenAméricaLatinayelCaribe.”

Keywords:Gender,Microfinance,Research,BusinessCase





ConsultativeGrouptoAssistthePoor(CGAP/WorldBank)&TheMicroinsuranceCentre|InformationOverload?AMixedMethodEvaluationoftheImpactofBundlingMicrofinanceServicesColombia|2014-2015EAConsultantswassubcontractedbytheMicroinsuranceCentretosupportastudyinColombiaoftheimpactof different approaches to offering an insurance product (at the time of a loan offer or later) on clientunderstanding and take-up. The study used a randomized control trial (RCT) methodology, offering aninsuranceproducttosomemicrocreditclientsatthetimeoftheloantransactionandtootherclientsatalaterdate. It involved developing tools for the sales force aimed at educating clients about the product in astandard and consistent manner, including a short video, sales techniques, and calculators. Clientunderstandingandperceptionsweremeasuredthroughatelephonequestionnaireafterthesale.Qualitativeinterviewswithclientscomplementedthequantitativefindings. EAConsultantssupportedallphasesof thestudy’sdesignandanalysis,andledfieldwork.


Inter-AmericanDevelopmentBank’sMultilateralInvestmentFund|MicrofinanceBusinessModelsintheCaribbeanCaribbean|2014-2015EAConsultantsworkedwiththeInter-AmericanDevelopmentBank’sMultilateralInvestmentFundtodevelopa framework for understanding different businessmodels for offeringmicrofinance services in the English-speakingCaribbean.Thestudyofferedspecificrecommendationsforhowdonorsandpolicymakerscouldbeengagedinsupportingthesuccessofthesemodels.Therecommendationswerebasedonunderstandingthesuccesses and challenges of the Caribbean Microfinance Capacity Building (Carib-Cap II) capacity buildingprojectandhowvariousfinancialserviceproviders—includingcooperatives,banks,microfinanceinstitutions,consumerlendersandeventuallymobilephoneproviders—couldinteractinadifferentmarketcontexttobestsupportbroaderaccesstofinancialservicesforlow-incomeentrepreneursinurbanandruralareas.ThefocusoftheworkwasinJamaica,Belize,andGrenadaandresultedinapublication:“OpenforBusiness:SupportingaSustainableMicrofinanceIndustryintheCaribbean.”

Keywords:Microfinance,BusinessCase,Rural&Agriculture,Research,KnowledgeManagement

ProMujerInternational|ProductCostingModelArgentina,Bolivia,Mexico,Nicaragua,Peru|2010-2011EA Consultants was contracted by Pro Mujer, an international microfinance organization that works inArgentina,Bolivia,Peru,MexicoandNicaraguatostrengthentheirexistingcostaccountingprocessfortheir


financialproductsandservices.TheassignmentinvolvedanonsiteanalysisofoneofProMujer’soperationsinPeruandthedevelopmentofaproductcostingmodelbasedonthisoperationthatcanbestandardizedandadaptedthroughoutProMujer.ThemodelwastestedinfivecountrieswhereProMujeroperatesbystaffwiththeassistanceofEAConsultantsthatofferedsupportthroughaseriesofpracticalin-housetrainingsessionsineachcountryaswellasremotely.

Keywords:Microfinance,BusinessCase,Rural&Agriculture,Gender,Tools,Training

Inter-AmericanDevelopmentBank’sMultilateralInvestmentFund|EvaluationofRuralCreditProjectColombia,Paraguay,Perú|2012-2015

EAConsultantsperformedanevaluationfortheInter-AmericanDevelopmentBank’sMultilateralInvestmentFund(FOMIN)tocapturelessonsfromaprojectwithWomen’sWorldBanking,theobjectiveofwhichwastobuild access to credit for individuals, especiallywomen,who live in rural areas of Columbia, Paraguay, andPeru. The project included a diagnostic assessment of three institutions and their different levels ofimplementationoftheproject.Italsoincludedthedevelopmentandimplementationofmonitoringindicatorsandplansforthethreeinstitutions,whichallowedFOMINtomonitortheprojectovertimethroughremoteandin-personvisits,interviewsanddatacollection.Also,EAConsultantsdraftedanextensiveinternallessonslearned document resulting from the monitoring, which helped FOMIN design future projects aimed atsupporting rural credit access forwomen. Finally,wedrafted twoexternally focuseddocumentswith high-levellessonsaboutsupportingagriculturallendinginitiativesandsupportingcreditaccessforruralwomen.

Keywords:Microfinance,BusinessCase,Rural&Agriculture,Research,Gender,KnowledgeManagement

Inter-AmericanDevelopmentBank’sMultilateralInvestmentFund|MicrofinanceBusinessModelsintheCaribbeanCaribbean|2014-2015EAConsultantsworkedwiththeInter-AmericanDevelopmentBank’sMultilateralInvestmentFundtodevelopa framework for understanding different businessmodels for offeringmicrofinance services in the English-speakingCaribbean.Thestudyofferedspecificrecommendationsforhowdonorsandpolicymakerscouldbeengagedinsupportingthesuccessofthesemodels.Therecommendationswerebasedonunderstandingthesuccesses and challenges of the Caribbean Microfinance Capacity Building (Carib-Cap II) capacity buildingprojectandhowvariousfinancialserviceproviders—includingcooperatives,banks,microfinanceinstitutions,consumerlendersandeventuallymobilephoneproviders—couldinteractinadifferentmarketcontexttobestsupportbroaderaccesstofinancialservicesforlow-incomeentrepreneursinurbanandruralareas.ThefocusoftheworkwasinJamaica,Belize,andGrenadaandresultedinapublication:“OpenforBusiness:SupportingaSustainableMicrofinanceIndustryintheCaribbean.”

Keywords:Microfinance,BusinessCase,Rural&Agriculture,Research,KnowledgeManagement

Inter-AmericanDevelopmentBank’sMultilateralInvestmentFund|SuccessandFailureofSmallBusinessesinColombiaColombia|2011-2012

EAConsultants supervised a studyon the factors of success and failure forwomen’s small businesses. ThisincludedquantitativeandqualitativeresearchonsmallbusinessesofmenandwomeninColombiatobetterunderstand the factorsdetermining their successor failure, taking intoaccountbusiness factors influencingoutcomes(selectionacrosssectors,abilitiesandaccesstocredit)aswellaspersonalfactorssuchasambition,aspiration, family structureand responsibilitiesamongothers.WesupportedanevaluationofaBID/FOMIN


program that lent training support and instruction for businesses inBucaramanga, Colombia.A final reportcombiningbothaspectsoftheprojectwasdisseminatedpublicly.

Keywords:Microfinance,BusinessCase,Gender,Research,KnowledgeManagement

ProMujerInternational|StrengtheningCustomerInsightsCapacityArgentina,Bolivia,Peru,Mexico,Nicaragua|2009-2012

EA Consultants was contracted by Pro Mujer—an international microfinance organization that works inArgentina, Bolivia, Peru, Mexico, and Nicaragua—to strengthen its existing customer insights process. Theassignment involved a diagnostic of ProMujer’s existing systems for collecting, storing and analyzing clientinformationandresultedinrecommendationsforstrengtheningtheseprocessesthroughoutthefivecountriesinwhichProMujerworks.TheworkincludedanextensivedataminingexercisetounderstandthebehaviorsofpoorwomenclientsinProMujer’screditportfolioandidentifygapsinknowledge.Additionally,areviewofall qualitative research methods used a Pro Mujer was implemented to identify where the most usefulinformationwas coming from, to streamline processes and to identify areas ofweaknesswhere additionaltrainingwasrequired.Afollow-uptrainingwasdeliveredtoallseniorstaffoninformationmanagement,datamining, qualitative research methods and analysis of client behavior. Additionally, EA developed trainingmaterialsoncreditriskmanagementthroughtheanalysisofpredictivebehaviorsandscoringandperformedan assessment of operational risks in ProMujer Peru’s village bankingmethodology. EA then designed astandardizedclientdatacollectionprocessacrossProMujer’s5countriesofoperationinordertoobtainthemostconsistentandusefuldatatodevelopnewproducts,adaptexistingproductsandimproveprocesses.

Keywords:Microfinance,CustomerInsights,Gender,Research,Tools,Training

InternationalFinanceCorporation(IFC)&BancodeFinanzas(BdF)|DiagnosticofSMEandHousingUnitsNicaragua|2008-2009

EA Consultants, with ShoreBank International under contract with the International Financial Corporation(IFC), conducted a diagnostic of Banco de Finanzas’ SME andHousingunits. BDF is the leading bank in thecountry’shousingmarketandhadmadesignificantstrides indownscaling intomicroandSMEfinance. ThefocusoftheassignmentwastoprovidespecificrecommendationsforstrategiestostrengthenBDF’spositionintheSMEandlower-incomehousingsegmentsinNicaragua.

Keywords:Microfinance,SMEFinance,Housing,BusinessCase,Strategy

FINCAMexico|NonfinancialServicesforMicrocreditBorrowersMexico|2007-2008

EAConsultantsdevelopedaproposalforFINCAMexicotopilotaprogramtooffernon-financialservicestoitsclients. Thepreparatorywork included an analysis of client demand through focus group interviews in twostates: Hidalgo and Puebla. The review also included an assessment of FINCA Mexico’s current creditmethodologyanditscompatibilitywithprovidingnon-financialservices,throughinterviewswithloanofficers,branchmanagers,andFINCAMexicomanagement.Italsoincludedareviewofpublic,privateandNGOhealthservice infrastructure in the two states, which drove the design of a pilot program focused on demand-generating activities such as training in family health care. To ensure the cost-effective delivery of healthtraining, EA Consultants identified a specialized training institute, IMIFAP, and facilitated a strategicpartnershipbetweenthemandFINCAMexico.Theprogramwasdesignedtobeself-sustainingovertimeandtobeapartoftheongoingdevelopmentoffinancialproductsandservicesinhealth.ThepilottiedintoFINCA


Mexico’s ongoing efforts to develop new client-focus products. EA Consultants assisted FINCAMexico andFINCAInternationalinfundraisingactivitiesrelatedtotheproject.

Keywords:Microfinance,ClientInsights,Gender,Health,Strategy

Gender


EA Consultants conducted a study of customer needs for AXA-Egypt, with an emphasis on understandingcustomers’potentialdemandforhealthinsurance.Theworkhadastronggenderfocus,aswomenareoftenchargedwithdealingwith thecommonhealthneedsof their families.Theworkbeganwithaworkshopforinsurance and bankmanagement staff to align around the research approach. The study included in-depthinterviewsandfocusgroupswithclientsoflocalmicrofinanceinstitutions.Basedonthisqualitativeresearch,EA designed prototypes for three new products, suggested modifications to existing products, andimprovementstoclienteducation,andwillbetestingtheseproductsinasecondphaseofquantitativework.

Keywords:Microinsurance,Research,ClientInsights,Health,Gender,Microfinance

CalmeadowFoundation&Inter-AmericanDevelopmentBank’sMultilateralInvestmentFund|ResearchonWomen’sLeadershipinMicrofinanceLatinAmericaRegional|2015-2016

EA Consultants collaborated with Andares, Mujeres par alas Microfinanzas to conduct a study of 136microfinanceinstitutionsandbanks inLatinAmericaandtheCaribbeantounderstandtheroleofwomeninfinancialinstitutionsservinglowincomecustomers,withanemphasisontheleadershipoftheseinstitutions.We surveyedmicrofinance institutions regionally and additionally conducted qualitative research to betterunderstandthebarriers to leadershipexperiencedbywomenandproposesolutionsat the institutionalanddonorleveltoreducetheimbalance.Thestudyisavailableas“EmpezandoporCasa:ElliderazgofemeninoenlasentidadesdemicrofinanzasenAméricaLatinayelCaribe.”

Keywords:Gender,Microfinance,Research,BusinessCase


Keywords:Microinsurance,SocialImpactMeasurement,Microfinance,Health,Gender


ProMujerInternational|2016-2018OperationalPlanLatinAmerica,2015

EAConsultantssupportedProMujerInternationalduringatransitionphasetodevelopanoperationalplanforits microfinance operations in the field as well as Head Office activities. The process included reviewingdocuments,includingfinancialbudgetsandplanningdocuments.WemetwiththeBoard,ManagementandStaff, to better understand human resource and operational opportunities and constraints and reviewedproject plans for investments in IT, client insights, impact and other programs. The result was a detailedworkplanaswellashighlevelrecommendationstotheBoardandmanagement.








Inter-AmericanDevelopmentBank’sMultilateralInvestmentFund|Women-OwnedBusinessesinLatinAmericaLatinAmericaRegional|2009-2010

EA Consultants worked with the Inter-American Development Bank’s Multilateral Investment Fund on acomprehensiveresearchstudytoexaminetheconstraintstogrowthinwomen’sbusinessesinLatinAmerica


and the Caribbean (LAC). The research included a desk study to analyze LAC best practices and to gatheravailablesecondaryinformationforBolivia,Colombia,Guatemala,Mexico,Nicaragua,andPeru.Theresearchinvolved specific case studies inColombia,Nicaragua,Guatemala, andPeru that includeda review financialinstitutions’ data to understand the demographic and business profiles of their loan clients by gender, tounearth potential causes of gender gaps. Based on the results of the datamining,we collected qualitativeinformation to complement the findings. Findings were presented at the XII Annual FOROMIC conferencesponsoredbytheIDBinArequipa,andtheIDBpublishedafinalreport,“ABusinesstoCallHerOwn.”

Keywords:Evaluation,Microfinance,Gender,Research,KnowledgeManagement




Inter-AmericanDevelopmentBank’sMultilateralInvestmentFund|SuccessandFailureofSmallBusinessesinColombiaColombia|2011-2012

EAConsultants supervised a studyon the factors of success and failure forwomen’s small businesses. ThisincludedquantitativeandqualitativeresearchonsmallbusinessesofmenandwomeninColombiatobetterunderstand the factorsdetermining their successor failure, taking intoaccountbusiness factors influencingoutcomes(selectionacrosssectors,abilitiesandaccesstocredit)aswellaspersonalfactorssuchasambition,aspiration, family structureand responsibilitiesamongothers.WesupportedanevaluationofaBID/FOMINprogram that lent training support and instruction for businesses inBucaramanga, Colombia.A final reportcombiningbothaspectsoftheprojectwasdisseminatedpublicly.

Keywords:Microfinance,BusinessCase,Gender,Research,KnowledgeManagement

ProMujerInternational|StrengtheningCustomerInsightsCapacityArgentina,Bolivia,Peru,Mexico,Nicaragua|2009-2012

EA Consultants was contracted by Pro Mujer—an international microfinance organization that works inArgentina, Bolivia, Peru, Mexico, and Nicaragua—to strengthen its existing customer insights process. Theassignment involved a diagnostic of ProMujer’s existing systems for collecting, storing and analyzing clientinformationandresultedinrecommendationsforstrengtheningtheseprocessesthroughoutthefivecountriesinwhichProMujerworks.TheworkincludedanextensivedataminingexercisetounderstandthebehaviorsofpoorwomenclientsinProMujer’screditportfolioandidentifygapsinknowledge.Additionally,areviewofall qualitative research methods used a Pro Mujer was implemented to identify where the most usefulinformationwas coming from, to streamline processes and to identify areas ofweaknesswhere additionaltrainingwasrequired.Afollow-uptrainingwasdeliveredtoallseniorstaffoninformationmanagement,datamining, qualitative research methods and analysis of client behavior. Additionally, EA developed trainingmaterialsoncreditriskmanagementthroughtheanalysisofpredictivebehaviorsandscoringandperformedan assessment of operational risks in ProMujer Peru’s village bankingmethodology. EA then designed a


standardizedclientdatacollectionprocessacrossProMujer’s5countriesofoperationinordertoobtainthemostconsistentandusefuldatatodevelopnewproducts,adaptexistingproductsandimproveprocesses.

Keywords:Microfinance,CustomerInsights,Gender,Research,Tools,Training

ProMujerInternational|ProductCostingModelArgentina,Bolivia,Mexico,Nicaragua,Peru|2010-2011EA Consultants was contracted by Pro Mujer, an international microfinance organization that works inArgentina,Bolivia,Peru,MexicoandNicaraguatostrengthentheirexistingcostaccountingprocessfortheirfinancialproductsandservices.TheassignmentinvolvedanonsiteanalysisofoneofProMujer’soperationsinPeruandthedevelopmentofaproductcostingmodelbasedonthisoperationthatcanbestandardizedandadaptedthroughoutProMujer.ThemodelwastestedinfivecountrieswhereProMujeroperatesbystaffwiththeassistanceofEAConsultantsthatofferedsupportthroughaseriesofpracticalin-housetrainingsessionsineachcountryaswellasremotely.

Keywords:Microfinance,BusinessCase,Rural&Agriculture,Gender,Tools,Training

MicroinsuranceCentre|MicroinsuranceLearningandKnowledge(MILK)ProjectGlobal|2010-2014EA Consultants collaborated on amajor donor’s US$ 2million project to provide clarity on two key issuesregarding microinsurance—is there a value for low-income people, and is there a business case? TheMicroinsurance Learning and Knowledge (MILK) project studied a variety of microinsurance models andproducts through quantitative and qualitative research. It sought to fill some of the gaps in the currentunderstandingofclientvalueandthebusinesscasewhilehelpingbringtogetherthevariouspartiesinvolvedin microinsurance research. EA Consultants led the project’s client value initiative, designing andimplementingoriginal studies ofmicroinsuranceproducts around theworld, aswell as usingdesk researchand collaborative efforts with other researchers to generate and share lessons about the value ofmicroinsurancetolow-incomeclientsandtheirfamilies.




Keywords:Microinsurance,MarketResearch,Distribution,Microfinance,Gender

FINCAMexico|NonfinancialServicesforMicrocreditBorrowersMexico|2007-2008

EAConsultantsdevelopedaproposalforFINCAMexicotopilotaprogramtooffernon-financialservicestoitsclients. Thepreparatorywork included an analysis of client demand through focus group interviews in twostates: Hidalgo and Puebla. The review also included an assessment of FINCA Mexico’s current credit


methodologyanditscompatibilitywithprovidingnon-financialservices,throughinterviewswithloanofficers,branchmanagers,andFINCAMexicomanagement.Italsoincludedareviewofpublic,privateandNGOhealthservice infrastructure in the two states, which drove the design of a pilot program focused on demand-generating activities such as training in family health care. To ensure the cost-effective delivery of healthtraining, EA Consultants identified a specialized training institute, IMIFAP, and facilitated a strategicpartnershipbetweenthemandFINCAMexico.Theprogramwasdesignedtobeself-sustainingovertimeandtobeapartoftheongoingdevelopmentoffinancialproductsandservicesinhealth.ThepilottiedintoFINCAMexico’s ongoing efforts to develop new client-focus products. EA Consultants assisted FINCAMexico andFINCAInternationalinfundraisingactivitiesrelatedtotheproject.

Keywords:Microfinance,ClientInsights,Gender,Health,Strategy

ClientProtection

SMARTCampaign&AccionInternational|ClientProtectionStandardsforMicroinsuranceGlobal|2014-2015EAConsultantssupportedtheSMARTCampaigninthereviewandadaptationofitscurrentClientProtectionStandardsandToolsforMicrocredittoofferrecommendationsforadaptingthesetoincludemicroinsuranceprotection standards and indicators. Theprocess included a consultativeprocesswith industry experts, theSMARTCampaignSteeringCommittee,andstafftoreachaconsensusonnewstandards.

Keywords:Microinsurance,ClientInsights,ConsumerProtection

ConfederaçãoNacionalDasEmpresasDeSeguros(Cnseg)|PromotingClientValue,FinancialEducationandMicroinsuranceinBrazilBrazil|2013-2014EAConsultantsperformeda reviewof themicroinsuranceandmass-market insuranceproductsof7privatecompaniesinthemarketusingtheILO’sImpactInsuranceFacility’sPACEtoolforunderstandingclientvalue.The review compared products to each other as well as to a domestic market benchmark and alsobenchmarkedtheBrazilianproductsagainstcomparableproductsinSouthAfrica,thePhilippines,andKenya.Additionally, EA Consultants examined financial education and consumer protection initiatives in Brazilrelevant to low-income insurance and developed a specific comprehensive strategy for CNseg and itsmembersinfinancialeducationformicroinsurance.

Keywords:Microinsurance,ConsumerProtection,Strategy

AsociaciónMutualDeProtecciónFamiliar(AMPF)Argentina&Inter-AmericanDevelopmentBank’sMultilateralInvestmentFund|DistributionofMicroinsurance,FinancialEducation,andCustomerInsightsArgentina|2015EAConsultantswas contracted by the Inter-AmericanDevelopment Bank’sMultilateral Investment Fund tosupportAMPF,anArgentinemutualassociation,initseffortstoimproveitsdistributionofinsuranceproducts.Theproject consists of threemain components: 1) conducting amarket studyof existingAMPF clients andtheir experiences with and perceptions of existing insurance products offered by the mutual, 2) leadingtrainingforAMPFstaff(bothexecutivesandlocalofficemanagers)onbasicmicroinsuranceconceptsandthe


challengesandopportunitiesofdistributingmicroinsurance,and3)designingmaterialstosupportbothsalesandunderstandingofinsuranceproductsbystaffandclients.

Keywords:Microinsurance,ConsumerProtection,Strategy,Tools,Training

MicroinsuranceNetwork(MIN)|DraftingofMembershipPrinciplesLuxembourg|2014EAConsultantsassistedtheMicroinsuranceNetworktoproposeprinciplesfortheNetworkmembersaimedatstrengtheningmembership and commitment ofmembers to theNetwork’s Strategic vision to promote thedevelopment and delivery of effective insurance services for low-income people by encouraging sharedlearning,facilitatingknowledgegenerationanddissemination,andprovidingamulti-stakeholderplatform.

Keywords:Microinsurance,ConsumerProtection

MicroinsuranceNetwork|ChallengesandPracticesinConsumerProtectioninMicroinsuranceGlobal|2012-2013EAConsultantswascontractedbytheMicroinsuranceNetworktodevelopaframeworkforunderstandingthemainchallengesandpractices inconsumerprotectioninmicroinsurance,withafocusonidentifyingthekeythemes in consumerprotection inmicroinsurance. The studywhichhad the supportof two case studiesofconsumerprotection inColombiaandthePhilippines,aswellasexamplesofspecific issuesandapproachesdrawnfromoutsidethesetwocountries.Thefield-workincludedextensiveinterviewswithstakeholdersandclient focusgroup interview togain insight intowhatare theeffectiveapproaches to consumerprotection.Theobjectiveof this studywas tounderlinekey lessons fromthespecificpractices in this relativelymaturemicroinsurancemarket.

Keywords:Microinsurance,ConsumerProtection,KnowledgeManagement

Inter-AmericanDevelopmentBank’sMultilateralInvestmentFund|BestPracticesinMicrofinanceSupervisionLatinAmericaRegional|2009-2010EA Consultants worked with the IDB/MIF to implement a consultative process to validate with themicrofinance industry a set of guidelines for the regulation and supervisionmicrofinance. The goal of theguidelines,developedinconjunctionwiththeAssociationofBankSupervisorsoftheAmericas(ASBA),wastopromote best practices under the supervision of the microfinance industry. As part of the consultativeprocess, EAConsultants conducted a survey of nearly 100MFIs in the LatinAmerica and theCaribbean, inadditiontointerviewsandround-tablediscussionswithindustrypractitioners.

Keywords:Microfinance,Supervision,Regulation,KnowledgeManagement


Migrants&FinancialServices

InternationalOrganizationforMigration(IOM)|FinancialToolstoProtectMigrantsinCrisisGlobal|2015-2016EA Consultants has provided ongoing support to the International Organization forMigration’sMigrants inCountries inCrisis Initiative,withaviewtoguiding initiativesand informingpilotprojects. Thesupporthasincluded participating in three consultations with public and private stakeholders assisting migrants anddrafting a brief onmodels and existing practices relevant to insurance formigrants (with a focus on low-incomemigrantworkers).

Keywords:Microinsurance,ConsumerProtection,Migrants,KnowledgeManagement

NewYorkCityOfficeofFinancialEmpowerment,DepartmentofConsumerAffairs|ImmigrantFinancialServicesStudyUnitedStates|2011-2012

EAConsultants implementedamarketstudyontheaccesstofinancialservices for immigrants inNewYork.Thestudyfocusedonunderstandingtheneedsofthetargetpopulationandunderstandingtheopportunitiesandchallengesforfinancialentitiesinthemarketofofferingtheappropriateservicestothosecommunities.Thestudyfocusedonthosefinancialproductsthatallowfortheprotectionofdepositsandinterest,savingsaccounts,productandservice transactions,and remittance.EAConsultantsanalyzed thedemand factorsofthethreeprimarycommunitiesof immigrants inNewYork(Mexico,Ecuador,andChina)throughqualitativeinterviewsandsurveyswithmorethan1400immigrantsregardinghowtheexistingservicesbothformalandinformalfunctionedforthem.EAConsultantsidentifiedgamesbetweenthesupplyanddemandforfinancialservicesandproposedaseriesofpilotactivitiesfortheCity.

Keywords:Migrants,Research,MarketResearch,Policy,FinancialHealth,KnowledgeManagement

Inter-AmericanDevelopmentBank’sMultilateralInvestmentFund|RisksAcrossBordersUnitedStates|2010

EA Consultants worked with the IADB/MIF on a two-part assessment of the feasibility of a cross-bordermicroinsurance product betweenMexico and theUS. The project involved an assessment of the supply ofexistingproducts,includingworldwidemodelsthatcanbereplicated;thedemandforsuchproducts,througha market study with Mexican migrants in the New York City area; and an assessment of the legal andregulatorybarrierstotheseproducts.

Keywords:Migrants,Research,Microinsurance,MarketResearch,Policy,KnowledgeManagement

FinancialInclusionintheUnitedStates

Intuit&TheAspenInstitute|QualitativeAnalysisofSmallBusinessAffectedbyHurricaneHarveyHouston|2017


EAConsultantscollaboratedwithIntuittoconductqualitativeinterviewswithsmallbusinessclientsandnon-clientsofQuickBookssoftwarefollowingHurricaneHarveyintheHoustonArea.Ourworkresultedinasetofbusiness insights and recommendations for Intuit’s various business lines on engaging with clients post-disaster.Additionally,wedevelopedasetofhypothesesandresearchquestionsforfutureresearchwithIntuitandtheAspenInstituteaboutsmallbusinesses’disasterresilience.

Keywords:Climate,SmallBusiness,CustomerInsights,Fintech,Strategy

NeighborhoodTrustFinancialPartners|KnowledgeManagement&StrategicCommunicationsUnitedStates|2017

EA Consultants supportedNeighborhood Trust Financial Partners’ initiatives to disseminate lessons learnedfromtheirworkwithemployers.Wedevelopedtwoknowledgemanagementproductsaspartofthisproject.The firstwas awhite paper, entitled “Re-Imagining theWorkplace as a Hub for FinancialWellness: A newvisiontoleverageHRprocessesto improveemployees’financialhealth,”highlightingemployers’role intheiremployees’ financial health and sharing lessons fromNeighborhood Trust’s collaborations with employers.Thesecondproductwasatoolkit,called“TheHRDesignToolkit:ARoadmapforDesigningHRInterventionstoImprove Employee FinancialHealth,”which offered granular ideas and suggestions for employers basedontheselessons.

Keywords:Strategy,FinancialHealth,Tools,Fintech,KnowledgeManagement

TheAspenInstitute|ContingentWorkersintheU.S.andRetirementSecurityUnitedStates|2017

EAConsultants conducted research for theAspen Instituteon the current situationof “contingentwork”—non-permanent or alternative work arrangements—in the United States and its implications for theretirementsavingsofworkers.Theproject includedanexhaustive literaturereview,secondarydataanalysisandprimarysourceinterviewswithleadingexperts.EAConsultantswroteanIssueBriefonthetopicandwillbeparticipatinginaconveningofexpertsin2018todiscussthestudy’spolicyandresearchimplications.

Keywords:CompetitiveLandscapeMapping,Strategy,Savings,Tools,Fintech

TheCenterForNewYorkCityNeighborhoods|ProgramDesigntoEncourageSavingsforClientsinMortgageDistressNewYork(September–December2017)

EA Consultants developed a design for a pilot program aimed at incentivizing homeowners in mortgagedistress to set aside savings for futuremortgage payments and other emergencies. The work included indepth interviews with clients, rapid prototype development, and testing. We combined these behavioralinsights with a financial analysis of various prototypes, and developed a final recommendation for a cost-effectiveandfeasiblepilotprogram.

Keywords:CustomerInsights,ProductInnovation,BusinessCase,Strategy,FinancialHealth,Savings

NeighborhoodTrustFinancialPartners|FintechSolutionsforEmployeeFinancialHealthUnitedStates|2017EA Consultants supported a New York City–based non-profit organization, Neighborhood Trust FinancialPartners,withastrategicassessmentofthemarketforoneofitsnewfinancialserviceandcounselingtools:TheEmployerSolution.Thetooloffersafintechsolutiontomanagingirregularhouseholdcashflowsthrough


salary advances and tech-enabled counseling, combinedwith in-person and remote counseling services. EAConsultants analyzed themarket for employer-based financialwellness initiatives, the landscape of fintechsolutions,andpayrolladvanceservices.Inaddition,westudiedopportunitiestoexpandface-to-facefinancialcounseling services to specific communities throughout the United States. We provided a strategicrecommendation forNeighborhoodTrust’smanagementandBoard todetermine its strategy forexpandingservices.

Keywords:CompetitiveLandscapeMapping,ProductInnovation,Strategy,FinancialHealth,Savings,Fintech

TheCenterforNewYorkCityNeighborhoods|FinancialCounselingToolkitDesign&TrainingNewYork|2016

EAConsultantsworkedwiththeCenteronaprojecttoembedfinancialcounselingintoitsexitingforeclosurepreventionandhomeowner counseling services.Weheld focusgroupswith counselors tounderstand theircapacity,resources,andavailabletimeaswellasinterestinofferingadditionalcounselingandheldindividualinterviews with a sample of housing counseling clients to better understand their needs and priorities atdifferentpointsintheirjourneyswithCenterPartners. Finally,wedevelopedasetoftoolstointegrateintotheexistingservicesandtrainedcounselorsontheirusage.

Keywords:ProcessMapping,CustomerInsights,Strategy,FinancialHealth,Savings,Tools,Training

CommunitySolutionswithBrownsvillePartnerships|FinancialServiceNeedsofBrownsvilleResidentsNewYork|2015

EA Consultants was contracted by Community Solutions to work in collaboration with BrownsvillePartnerships,NewYorkCity’sOfficeofFinancialEmpowerment,andMetLifeonaprojectaimedatidentifyingthebarriersthatresidentsofBrownsville,NewYorkfacetousingfinancialservicesmostefficiently.Withover30% of Brownsville residents in public housing, the project had a secondary aim of understanding specificconstraintsfacingBrownsvillepublichousingresidents. EAConsultantsperformedamappingofthesupply-side services available to residents and implemented a set of qualitative interviews and focus groups onidentifyingsomeofthebehavioralandstructuralconstraintsthatresidentsfacedinleveragingtheseservicesmost effectively. The study resulted in recommendations for three interventions aimedat increasing assetbuildingandresilienceamongresidents,usingservicesthatwerebestsuitedtotheirneedsandconstraints.

Keywords:CompetitiveLandscape,CustomerInsights,FinancialHealth,Strategy,Policy

NewYorkCityOfficeofFinancialEmpowerment,DepartmentofConsumerAffairs(OFE)|NYCFinancialCounselingandWorkforceDevelopmentEvaluationNewYork|2015

EA Consultants was contracted by OFE to study the workforce development and small business supportservicesofferedthroughtheNewYorkCityDepartmentofSmallBusinessServices(SBS).Thisaimsresearchisto develop a strategy for OFE’s financial counseling services into the existing employment andentrepreneurshipservicesofferedbySBS.Theworkinvolvedaprocessmappingofclients’navigationofSBSservicesandunderstandingthefinancialneedsandcognitiveconstraintsduringdifferenttouchpointsintheinteractionwiththeSBSservices. Thisallowedustopinpointthedeliverycontent,timing,andchannelthatcouldoptimizeclients’utilizationandbenefit fromOFEservices. It resulted inactionablerecommendationsonwhenandhowfinancialcounselingmightbeintegratedintotheprogram,thesubstantivefinancialtopicsmost useful to cover, and the SBS service users most likely to benefit from various financial counseling


services. Data was collected through qualitative interviews with SBS service users and providers of thoseservices.

Keywords:ProcessMapping,CustomerInsights,FinancialHealth,Strategy,Policy

CorporationforEnterpriseDevelopment(CFED–nowProsperityNow)|MicrobusinessSolutionsLearningClusterUnitedStates|2014

TheCorporation forEnterpriseDevelopment (CFED),anon-profit corporation,contractedEAConsultants todesign,conductandsynthesizequalitativeconcepttestingofthetenapplicantstotheMicrobusinessSolutionsLearningCluster,aninitiativedesignedtoimproveexistingfinancialproductandservicestrategiesthatcouldimprove financial capability, financial security and cash flow outcomes for low- and moderate-incomemicrobusiness owners. The topics range from a broad set of services including credit-scoring innovations,online and mobile applications that support businesses in gaining greater financial control and access tobudgeting, and training and technical assistance. EA Consultants interviewed small business clients thatrepresent thepotentialmarket segmentof these interventions togain insights into:Microbusinessowners’specific likes and dislikes about each product or service; Microbusiness owners’ preferences for certainfeatures within each product or service; Whether microbusiness owners are likely to adopt any of theproductsorservices,especiallyincomparisontoexistingproductsandservicestheyalreadyuse;Whetheranyideasareeitheruniversallylikedordislikedbymicrobusinessowners.

Keywords:SmallBusiness,Microfinance,CustomerInsights,Research,MarketResearch,Strategy,Policy

CorporationforEnterpriseDevelopment(CFED–nowProsperityNow)|EntrepreneurFinancialServicesStudyUnitedStates|2013

EA Consultants conducted a demand-side study aimed at understanding 1) what experience do low- andmiddle-incomesmallbusinessowners in theUnitedStateshavewithcertain financialproductsandservicesand2)what are the financial challenges andneedsof these small businessowners andhow influential arethese in constraining asset building and growth of their businesses. The study utilized a nationwide onlinesurveyandin-depthtelephoneinterviewswithsmallbusinessowners.ThisstudyisintendedtoinformCFED'sfutureworktosupportlow-andmiddle-incomesmallbusinessesintheUnitedStates.

Keywords:SmallBusiness,Microfinance,CustomerInsights,FinancialHealth,Research,MarketResearch,Strategy,Policy

NewYorkCityOfficeofFinancialEmpowerment,DepartmentofConsumerAffairs(OFE)|FinancialEmpowermentConstituentQualitativeResearchNewYork|2014

EA Consultants designed and implemented a qualitative study of the experience of users of free financialcounseling centers offeredby theCity ofNewYork. The study included in-depth individual interviews andfocus groups with approximately 200 recipients of this service. It includes a comprehensive review of theprocesses and content related to the financial counseling as well as discussions with counselors andstakeholders. Thestudyculminated inbothqualitative resultsaimedatbetterunderstanding theprocessandexperiencefromtheclientperspectiveaswellasspecificprogrammatic findingsandrecommendations.Additionally,itledtorecommendationsthatsupportedtheoptimizationofservicesinordertoreachgreaterscale.

Keywords:CustomerInsights,Research,MarketResearch,FinancialHealth,Strategy,Policy


NewYorkCityOfficeofFinancialEmpowerment,DepartmentofConsumerAffairs|ImmigrantFinancialServicesStudyUnitedStates|2011-2012

EAConsultants implementedamarketstudyontheaccessto financialservices for immigrants inNewYork.Thestudyfocusedonunderstandingtheneedsofthetargetpopulationandunderstandingtheopportunitiesandchallengesforfinancialentitiesinthemarketofofferingtheappropriateservicestothosecommunities.Thestudyfocusedonthosefinancialproductsthatallowfortheprotectionofdepositsandinterest,savingsaccounts,productandservice transactions,and remittance.EAConsultantsanalyzed thedemand factorsofthethreeprimarycommunitiesof immigrants inNewYork(Mexico,Ecuador,andChina)throughqualitativeinterviewsandsurveyswithmorethan1400immigrantsregardinghowtheexistingservicesbothformalandinformalfunctionedforthem.EAConsultantsidentifiedgamesbetweenthesupplyanddemandforfinancialservicesandproposedaseriesofpilotactivitiesfortheCity.

Keywords:Migrants,Research,MarketResearch,Policy,FinancialHealth,KnowledgeManagement

Savings

TheAspenInstitute|ContingentWorkersintheU.S.andRetirementSecurityUnitedStates|2017

EAConsultants conducted research for theAspen Instituteon the current situationof “contingentwork”—non-permanent or alternative work arrangements—in the United States and its implications for theretirementsavingsofworkers.Theproject includedanexhaustive literaturereview,secondarydataanalysisandprimarysourceinterviewswithleadingexperts.EAConsultantswroteanIssueBriefonthetopicandwillbeparticipatinginaconveningofexpertsin2018todiscussthestudy’spolicyandresearchimplications.

Keywords:CompetitiveLandscapeMapping,Strategy,Savings,Tools,Fintech


EAConsultantsdevelopedafoundationalknowledgereportonthebusinesscaseforprovidingsmall-balancesavings services to low-incomehouseholds,witha focuson ruralpopulationsandwomen inAfrica, savingsgroup linkages, and alternative delivery channels such as doorstep deposit collection, agent, and mobilemoney networks. The work was based on case studies of 13 technical assistance projects supported byUNCDF’s MicroLead Program. In addition to a foundational knowledge management report, we led aninteractiveworkshopwithMicroLeadPartnersinTanzaniatosharethefindingsfromtheresearchanddiscussopportunitiesforfurtherstrengtheningthebusinesscaseamongpartners.


NeighborhoodTrustFinancialPartners|FintechSolutionsforEmployeeFinancialHealthUnitedStates|2017EA Consultants supported a New York City–based non-profit organization, Neighborhood Trust FinancialPartners,withastrategicassessmentofthemarketforoneofitsnewfinancialserviceandcounselingtools:TheEmployerSolution.Thetooloffersafintechsolutiontomanagingirregularhouseholdcashflowsthroughsalary advances and tech-enabled counseling, combinedwith in-person and remote counseling services. EAConsultants analyzed themarket for employer-based financialwellness initiatives, the landscape of fintech


solutions,andpayrolladvanceservices.Inaddition,westudiedopportunitiestoexpandface-to-facefinancialcounseling services to specific communities throughout the United States. We provided a strategicrecommendation forNeighborhoodTrust’smanagementandBoard todetermine its strategy forexpandingservices.

Keywords:CompetitiveLandscapeMapping,ProductInnovation,Strategy,FinancialHealth,Savings,Fintech

TheCenterForNewYorkCityNeighborhoods|ProgramDesigntoEncourageSavingsforClientsinMortgageDistressNewYork,February2016-July2016

EAConsultantsworkedwiththeCenteronaprojecttoembedfinancialcounselingintoitsexitingforeclosurepreventionandhomeowner counseling services.Weheld focusgroupswith counselors tounderstand theircapacity,resources,andavailabletimeaswellasinterestinofferingadditionalcounselingandheldindividualinterviews with a sample of housing counseling clients to better understand their needs and priorities atdifferentpointsintheirjourneyswithCenterPartners. Finally,wedevelopedasetoftoolstointegrateintotheexistingservicesandwilltraincounselorsontheirusage.

Keywords:ProcessMapping,ClientInsights,Strategy,FinancialHealth,Savings,Tools,Training

ConsultativeGrouptoAssistthePoor(CGAP/WorldBank)|TheBusinessCaseforYouthSavingsGlobal|2013-2014

EA Consultants developed a framework for assessing the business case for an institution to offer savingsproductstoyouthclientsunderage25throughananalysisofmacro-leveldata,in-depthqualitativeinterviewswithfinancialserviceprovidersofferingyouthsavingsproductsandotherstakeholdersandadeskreviewofrelevantliterature.Findingswereconsolidatedintoaframeworkdescribingthebusinesscaseaccordingtothemarket, institutional, and client context, and shared through awebinar explaining the framework to selectfinancial institutions,donorsandotherstakeholders.CGAPpublishedafocusnoteonthestudy’s findings inJuly2014.


Health


EA Consultants conducted a study of customer needs for AXA-Egypt, with an emphasis on understandingcustomers’potentialdemandforhealthinsurance.Theworkhadastronggenderfocus,aswomenareoftenchargedwithdealingwith thecommonhealthneedsof their families.Theworkbeganwithaworkshopforinsurance and bankmanagement staff to align around the research approach. The study included in-depthinterviewsandfocusgroupswithclientsoflocalmicrofinanceinstitutions.Basedonthisqualitativeresearch,EA designed prototypes for three new products, suggested modifications to existing products, andimprovementstoclienteducation,andwillbetestingtheseproductsinasecondphaseofquantitativework.

Keywords:Microinsurance,Research,ClientInsights,Health,Gender,Microfinance


CAF:TheDevelopmentBankofLatinAmerica|LinkingTelemedicinetoInclusiveHealthInsuranceDistributedbyMicrofinanceInstitutionsEcuador,Venezuela|2013-2016

EA Consultants supported CAF in a unique program that brought together various stakeholders to offerremotespecialistmedicalservicesto low-incomeandruralpopulations inEcuador. Theprograminvolvedaprivate telemedicine software provider, amedical provider network, amicrofinance institution, and a non-profitproviderof financialandhealtheducationservices. Our rolewas toofferCAFstrategicandtechnicaladvisorythroughouttheproject,monitoritsresultsanddocumenttheseforfuturereplication.EAConsultantsre-framed the project as lessons developed and created a unique value proposition for the local medicalnetworkexecuting theproject.Thework includedmeasuringproviderusage, financial results,andtechnicalknowledge,aswellasbasicindicatorsfortrackingprogramcostsacrossstakeholderstoevaluatethebusinesscase. Additionally, EA Consultants implemented client-centered research at the end of the pilot phase toassessthevaluethatclientsobtainedfromtheservices.

Keywords:Health,Technology,Microinsurance,Monitoring&Evaluation,StrategyConsulting

Safaricom’sLindaJamii&ILOImpactInsuranceFacility|HealthInsuranceProductandBusinessModelAnalysis&StrategyKenya|2014

EA Consultantsworkedwith the ILO’sMicroinsurance Innovation Facility (now called the Impact InsuranceFacility)toevaluateaninnovativehealthmicroinsuranceproductinKenyathatwasofferedthroughauniquepartnership between Safaricom (the country’s largest mobile network and mobile money operator),Changamka Health (an insurance intermediary), and Britam (a multinational insurance company). Ourassignment includeda situationaldiagnosticof theproduct, including clientandnon-clientperceptionsandproductexperiences,anevaluationofdistributionchannels,costingandfinancialanalysis,andareviewofthemanagementof themedical facilitynetwork. Inaddition to theevaluation,EAConsultants recommendedachange in the value proposition offered by each stakeholder, as well as recommended specific steps tostrengthenandimprovetheproduct,itsmanagement,anddistribution.

Keywords:Health,Microinsurance,CustomerInsights,BusinessModelAnalysis,StrategyConsulting


Keywords:Impact,Microfinance,Health,Gender

MicroinsuranceCentre|MicroinsuranceLearningandKnowledge(MILK)ProjectGlobal|2010-2014EA Consultants collaborated on amajor donor’s US$ 2million project to provide clarity on two key issuesregarding microinsurance—is there a value for low-income people, and is there a business case? TheMicroinsurance Learning and Knowledge (MILK) project studied a variety of microinsurance models and


products through quantitative and qualitative research. It sought to fill some of the gaps in the currentunderstandingofclientvalueandthebusinesscasewhilehelpingbringtogetherthevariouspartiesinvolvedin microinsurance research. EA Consultants led the project’s client value initiative, designing andimplementingoriginal studies ofmicroinsuranceproducts around theworld, aswell as usingdesk researchand collaborative efforts with other researchers to generate and share lessons about the value ofmicroinsurancetolow-incomeclientsandtheirfamilies.





ILOImpactInsuranceFacility|MicroinsuranceUtilizationinNicaraguaNicaragua|2009-2010

EA Consultantswas awarded a research grant for a study onmicroinsurance utilization in Nicaragua: “Thedemandforandtheeffectsofinsuranceenrollmentamonginformalsectorworkers.”ThestudysoughttogainagreaterunderstandingofthehealthclaimscharacteristicsoftheinformalsectorinNicaraguaaswellasthehealth outcomes on children covered by health insurance and the role of quality in the utilization andretentioninhealthinsurance.ThestudywascompletedincollaborationwiththeUniversityofMichigan.

Keywords:Impact,Evaluation,Microfinance,Microinsurance,Health,Research

GlobalDevelopmentNetwork|RandomizedEvaluationofHealthInsurancefortheInformalSectorNicaragua|2007-2009

EA Consultants implemented an experimental randomized evaluation of a pilot program in Nicaragua thatextendssocialsecurityhealthinsurancetotheinformalsector.Throughthispilotprogram,Nicaragua’sSocialSecurityInstitute(INSS)contractedthreemicrofinanceinstitutions:ACODEP,BancoProcredit,andFindesatomarketitshealthinsurancetotheirclients,affiliatenewsubscribersandcollectpaymentthroughMFIbranchnetworks. The randomized evaluation analyzed the determinants of take up of insurance, the effect ofsubsidies, adverse selection, the value of information, and the value of selling and collecting insurancepremiumsthroughMFIs.Thistwo-yearactivitywasco-fundedwiththeUSAID-fundedPSP-OneprogramandrepresentsastrongcollaborationwithalocalresearchfirminNicaragua.

Keywords: Social Impact Measurement, Evaluation, Microfinance, Microinsurance, Health, Research,KnowledgeManagement




Keywords:Microinsurance,MarketResearch,Distribution,Microfinance,Gender



Keywords:Microinsurance,Savings,Microfinance,BusinessCase

FinancialServicesforRural&AgriculturalCommunities






EAConsultantsdevelopedafoundationalknowledgereportonthebusinesscaseforprovidingsmall-balancesavings services to low-incomehouseholds,witha focuson ruralpopulationsandwomen inAfrica, savingsgroup linkages, and alternative delivery channels such as doorstep deposit collection, agent, and mobilemoney networks. The work was based on case studies of 13 technical assistance projects supported byUNCDF’s MicroLead Program. In addition to a foundational knowledge management report, we led aninteractiveworkshopwithMicroLeadPartnersinTanzaniatosharethefindingsfromtheresearchanddiscussopportunitiesforfurtherstrengtheningthebusinesscaseamongpartners.


InsuResilienceInvestmentFund&CREZCAMOS|FeasibilityStudyforClimateInsuranceProductsColombia|2017

EA Consultants conducted a feasibility study for a largemicrofinance institution in Colombia to assess themarket and business case for developing and distributing climate insurance products. Thework included amarketstudyondemandforclimate insurance inColombia,withafocusoncropand livestockproductsforsmallholder farmers and weather insurance for rural microentrepreneurs. The work included designingqualitative research instruments, conducting in-country fieldwork, as well as a quantitative market sizinganalysisusingnational censusandother surveydata,andproprietarydataonthemicrofinance institution’sborrowers.


InsuResilienceInvestmentFund&BancoContinental|FeasibilityStudyforClimateInsuranceProductsParaguay|2016-2017

EAConsultantssupportedBancoContinental,Paraguay’slargestlocally-ownedbank,indevelopingafeasibilitystudyfordesigningandsellingclimateinsuranceproductstothebank’sclients.Thestudyincludedademand-sideassessmentofclientneedsandinterestinclimateinsuranceandabusinesscaseanalysisofthepotentialfortheproducttosucceed.Additionally,EAConsultantswroteareportfortheInsuResilienceInvestmentFundon theoverall potential for climate insuranceproducts in Paraguay, analyzingpast products and initiatives,infrastructure,dataavailabilityandmarketconditions.


InsuResilienceInvestmentFund&CajaSullana|DevelopmentofMarketingStrategy,Materials&TrainingonClimateInsurancePeru|2016-2017

EA Consultants supported the internal insurance business of Caja Sullana, one of the largest creditcooperatives inPeruandamicroinsurancedistributor,bydevelopingmarketingmaterials, staff trainingandclient education sessions on an agricultural insurance product. The work involved preparing in-depthdiagnosticsofstaffandcustomers’existingunderstandingoftheproductandaddressinggaps inknowledgethrough training and marketing. EA developed a radio ad with client testimonials, as well as brochures,posters, and internal marketing and training material. EA also worked closely with Caja Sullana’s insurer


partner to develop client-centered education centered. Finally, EA developed an in-depth staff trainingmodule and trained trainers to replicate it throughout the organization – focusing not only on climateinsurancebutresponsiblesalesofinsuranceproductsingeneral.

Keywords:Rural&Agriculture,Climate,Microinsurance,Marketing,FinancialEducation,SalesTraining

ConsultativeGrouptoAssistthePoor(CGAP/WorldBank)&TheMicroinsuranceCentre|InformationOverload?AMixedMethodEvaluationoftheImpactofBundlingMicrofinanceServicesColombia|2014-2015EAConsultantswassubcontractedbytheMicroinsuranceCentretosupportastudyinColombiaoftheimpactof different approaches to offering an insurance product (at the time of a loan offer or later) on clientunderstanding and take-up. The study used a randomized control trial (RCT) methodology, offering aninsuranceproducttosomemicrocreditclientsatthetimeoftheloantransactionandtootherclientsatalaterdate. It involved developing tools for the sales force aimed at educating clients about the product in astandard and consistentmanner, including a short video, sales techniques, and calculators. Clients’ level ofunderstandingandperceptionsweremeasuredthroughatelephonequestionnaireafterthesale.Qualitativeinterviewswithclientscomplementedthequantitativefindings. EAConsultantssupportedallphasesof thestudy’sdesignandanalysis,andledfieldwork.





MicroinsuranceCentre|MicroinsuranceLearningandKnowledge(MILK)ProjectGlobal|2010-2014EA Consultants collaborated on amajor donor’s US$ 2million project to provide clarity on two key issuesregarding microinsurance—is there a value for low-income people, and is there a business case? TheMicroinsurance Learning and Knowledge (MILK) project studied a variety of microinsurance models andproducts through quantitative and qualitative research. It sought to fill some of the gaps in the currentunderstandingofclientvalueandthebusinesscasewhilehelpingbringtogetherthevariouspartiesinvolvedin microinsurance research. EA Consultants led the project’s client value initiative, designing andimplementingoriginal studies ofmicroinsuranceproducts around theworld, aswell as usingdesk research


and collaborative efforts with other researchers to generate and share lessons about the value ofmicroinsurancetolow-incomeclientsandtheirfamilies.


About EA Consultants - eac- · PDF fileAbout EA Consultants | List of Past Projects 1 About EA...

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