The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has issued a call for proposals to develop and implement mobile-banking systems for Unbanked people in Latin America and the Caribbean.The IDB has pledged its support via M-Banking for the Unbanked, a programme implemented in cooperation with the GSM Association, a global system mobile phone operators’ organisation.The Knowledge Partnership Korea Fund for Technology and Innovation at the IDB has contributed to the financing of the programme.Mobile banking (also known as M-Banking and SMS Banking) is a term used for performing balance checks,Wholesale Jerseys, account transactions, payments and the like via a mobile device such as a mobile phone.According to an IDB release, qualified teams of mobile network operators and partner banks will receive financial and technical support for the development and implementation of M-Banking solutions on a pilot or a trial basis to verify their operational and financial viability, or to support a full-scale launch.The release stated that some examples of systems that could be supported would be M-Banking systems that connect clients with a bank account,Wholesale Jerseys, allowing them to conduct all transactions without having to go to a bank branch (branchless banking), or solutions that focus on one type of service, such as international and local money transfers (remittances).“Worldwide experience has demonstrated that mobile telephones are effective and efficient tools to provide financial services to the Unbanked, and at the same time profitable for both mobile network operators and financial institutions.In Latin America and the Caribbean,Wholesale MLB Jerseys, access to these services is still largely unavailable,” IDB says.The programme, the release added,Cheap NBA Jerseys China, will finance up to 50 per cent of the contracted costs of selected projects.The maximum amount awarded to a programme would be US$150,000. It is expected that a minimum of five projects will be supported.“Mobile network operators and partner banks interested in participating in the programme should send proposals following the template and instructions included in the application form.Applications will be evaluated and selected by the IDB on the basis of transparent and objective criteria indicated in the application form.”During a recent interview, President of the Guyana Bankers’ Association, Edwin Gooding, said that the banks have received the proposal from the IDB regarding this service. He noted that they are currently in discussion stages about the project.According to Gooding, if this service is implemented it can prove to be very beneficial, especially for persons living in outlying areas.The Inter-American Development Bank,Wholesale Hockey Jerseys 2018, the oldest and largest regional multilateral development institution, was established in 1959 to help accelerate economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean.The IDB membership totals 47 nations, including 26 Latin American and Caribbean countries,Jerseys NFL Wholesale, the United States, Canada and 19 non-regional countries.The Inter-American Development Bank Group approved new operations totaling more than US$9.6 billion in 2007, confirming its role as the leading source of multilateral lending for the region.The GSM Association (GSMA) is the global trade association representing more than 750 global system for mobile communications phone operators across 218 countries and territories of the world.The Association’s members represent more than 3 billion GSM and 3GSM connections – over 86 per cent of the world’s mobile phone connections.In addition, more than 200 manufacturers and suppliers support the Association’s initiatives.The GSMA has extensive experience and expertise regarding the implementation of M-Banking solutions targeted to the poor and the Unbanked. According to the IDB, only 35 per cent of adults in Latin America currently have bank accounts.