N.B. This will be the last issue of 2014 for The FAIV, which will return on January 9th. FAI wishes all of our readers a happy and safe holiday season and a prosperous New Year!
1. Poverty in the U.S.: “It’s assumed that we’re not unstable because we’re poor, we’re poor because we’re unstable. So let’s just talk about how impossible it is to keep your life from spiraling out of control when you have no financial cushion whatsoever.” Slate
2. Agricultural Loans: Forgiveness of agricultural loans has been a common occurrence in India. it's about to happen again. But who gets the benefits and what happens after? Bloomberg
3. Cash Transfers: Evidence is building for positive impact of both unconditional cash transfers and graduation models for the ultra-poor. How do you decide between the two? NextBillion
4. Microinsurance: New research examines the profitability and client value of banking and retail correspondents in four countries as alternative insurance distribution channels. ILO
5. The Unbanked: Argentina is experiencing an uptick in armed robberies due to its citizens' distrust of banks and tendency to operate mainly in cash. NPR