Microfinance Information Exchange
The Center for Financial Inclusion (formerly Microfinance Information Exchange) is an independent non-profit think tank housed at Accion that conducts research, pilots solutions, and convenes global stakeholders to advance responsible and inclusive financial services for underserved populations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Microfinance Information Exchange does
Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX), now operating primarily as the Center for Financial Inclusion (CFI), is an independent non-profit think tank housed at Accion and based in Washington, DC, United States. CFI was established by Accion in 2008 and merged with MIX Market — a data resource for socially responsible investors — in 2020, unifying research, convening, and data capabilities under one roof. The organization is structured around three functions: research and knowledge products that identify systems-level issues affecting financial inclusion, pilot programs that test solutions with partners, and global convenings — chiefly Financial Inclusion Week and the Responsible Finance Forum — that bring together private sector, governments, practitioners, policymakers, academics, and consumer organizations to advance evidence-based change.
Its deliverables are not software products but rather publications, research insights, sector standards, and live events. The Smart Campaign — created by CFI in 2009 to develop the first global financial consumer protection standards — was transitioned to Cerise+SPTF in 2020, and the Financial Inclusion Equity Council secretariat was transferred in 2023. CFI's current research areas include consumer protection, responsible data practices, climate adaptation and resilience, digital public infrastructure for inclusive finance, MSEs in the digital economy, and women's financial inclusion. Active initiatives include the PROTECT Initiative (anti-fraud/scam safeguarding) and the Global DPI Insights Community. CFI's 2025–2029 strategy adds responsible AI and embedded finance as explicit focus areas.
CFI's operating model is non-commercial: research and the Resource Library are distributed free to inclusive finance professionals worldwide via a self-serve website, LinkedIn, and YouTube. The company is not a for-profit technology firm; pricing is not applicable. No revenue, grant figures, or donor mix are disclosed in the source material. The 11–50 headcount (per the firmographic) and the divestitures of the Smart Campaign and FIEC secretariat indicate a deliberately narrow operating footprint. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the organization maintains a global footprint claim with no geographic restrictions, anchored by the Accion relationship for institutional support.
Microfinance Information Exchange firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Microfinance Information Exchange
- Legal name
- Accion International
- Website
- https://themix.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Center for Financial Inclusion (formerly Microfinance Information Exchange) is an independent non-profit think tank housed at Accion that conducts research, pilots solutions, and convenes global stakeholders to advance responsible and inclusive financial services for underserved populations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Microfinance Information Exchange industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Financial Inclusion Research and Advisory
- NAICS
- Activities Related to Credit Intermediation (5223)
- SIC
- International Affairs (9721)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Microfinance, Financial Inclusion & Inclusive Markets (BPAGABAM)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Financial Inclusion & Consumer Empowerment (Banking Access, Credit Building) (BPAGALAJ)
Keywords
Where Microfinance Information Exchange is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Microfinance Information Exchange business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Microfinance Information Exchange product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX), through its integrated Center for Financial Inclusion (CFI) think tank, promotes responsible financial services to underserved populations by delivering data and market insights, publishing research and knowledge products, and convening global stakeholders. The organization conducts rigorous research on financial inclusion, pilots innovative solutions with partners, and hosts flagship events such as Financial Inclusion Week and the Responsible Finance Forum to spark evidence-based change in the inclusive finance sector.
Product overview
CFI (Center for Financial Inclusion) operates as an independent think tank rather than a traditional product company. Its offerings consist of research and knowledge products (publications and insights on financial inclusion), global convenings (Financial Inclusion Week and Responsible Finance Forum), and various sector initiatives including the Global DPI Insights Community and PROTECT Initiative. The organization previously managed the Smart Campaign (consumer protection standards) and Financial Inclusion 2020 campaign but has since transitioned these to partners. CFI's core value lies in conducting rigorous research, piloting innovative solutions, and convening the inclusive finance sector to spark evidence-based change.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Smart Campaign: A global initiative focused on ensuring the safe and responsible delivery of financial products to low-income clients. Developed the first global financial consumer protection standards and established a certification program.
- Financial Inclusion Week
- Responsible Finance Forum
- Financial Inclusion 2020 Campaign
Products and services
- Research and Knowledge Products
Companies that use Microfinance Information Exchange
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Microfinance Information Exchange technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Microfinance Information Exchange partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- MIX MarketcoreCFI joined forces with MIX, a global data resource for socially responsible investors and businesses focused on inclusive finance. The integration strengthened CFI's capacity to deliver data-driven insights.
- Cerise+SPTFcoreCFI transitioned the management and maintenance of the Smart Campaign certification standards to Cerise+SPTF, long-time partners. Also transferred secretariat role for Financial Inclusion Equity Council to Cerise+SPTF in 2023.
- AccioncoreCFI is an independent think tank housed at Accion. Accion established CFI in 2008 as an independent think tank working to advance a more inclusive and responsible financial system.
- CitiminorPartnered with CFI and Visa Inc. in 2013 to launch the Financial Inclusion 2020 campaign (FI2020) with the goal of accelerating financial inclusion by uniting private sector, governments, and NGOs.
- Visa Inc.minorPartnered with CFI and Citi in 2013 to launch the Financial Inclusion 2020 campaign (FI2020) with the goal of accelerating financial inclusion by uniting private sector, governments, and NGOs.
- IFC (International Finance Corporation)coreIFC ran the Responsible Finance Forum platform from 2015 to 2022. CFI assumed convenor role in 2022.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Microfinance Information Exchange competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- J-PAL (Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab): Global research center using randomized evaluations to design effective anti-poverty policies, including financial access. Peer because of similar evidence-generation, policy advisory, and sector convening functions for inclusive finance stakeholders.
- FinEquity: Global community of practice advancing women's financial inclusion through research, dialogue, and advocacy. Peer because of comparable sector-convening function and shared focus on consumer-side financial inclusion evidence generation.
- SPTF (Social Performance Task Force): Global membership organization setting social performance and responsible finance standards for financial service providers. Directly comparable as a peer/partner setting norms and convening practitioners around client protection in inclusive finance.
- Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA): Research and policy nonprofit that generates evidence on poverty alleviation, including financial inclusion. Comparable as a research-driven organization producing rigorous evidence used by funders and policymakers in CFI's target markets.
- CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor): World Bank-hosted global partnership focused on financial inclusion research, advisory, and convening. Direct peer because both serve as authoritative think tanks producing research and convening policymakers and practitioners on inclusive finance.
- Cerise: French nonprofit providing technical assistance and social performance tools for inclusive finance. Peer because it absorbed the Smart Campaign from CFI and now operates in overlapping standards-setting and capacity-building territory.
Broad incumbents
- Omidyar Network: Impact investment firm funding inclusive finance and responsible technology initiatives. Comparable as a larger, well-capitalized sector actor influencing the same financial inclusion agenda CFI serves.
- IFC (International Finance Corporation): World Bank Group member focused on private-sector development in emerging markets, including financial inclusion. Previously ran the Responsible Finance Forum platform before transitioning convenorship to CFI, making it a close sector partner and incumbent.
- Accion International: Parent organization that houses CFI and operates a broader portfolio of microfinance, fintech, and inclusive finance investments globally. Comparable as a major sector incumbent whose mission and ecosystem overlap directly with CFI's focus.
Emerging players
- BFA Global (now part of 60 Decibels): Research and advisory firm specializing in fintech for low-income customers. Comparable as a research-driven organization producing customer insights and sector convenings on digital financial services for underserved populations.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Microfinance Information Exchange social profiles
Digital presenceMicrofinance Information Exchange financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Microfinance Information Exchange leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Microfinance Information Exchange funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Microfinance Information Exchange M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Microfinance Information Exchange
What does Microfinance Information Exchange do?
Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX), through its integrated Center for Financial Inclusion (CFI) think tank, promotes responsible financial services to underserved populations by delivering data and market insights, publishing research and knowledge products, and convening global stakeholders. The organization conducts rigorous research on financial inclusion, pilots innovative solutions with partners, and hosts flagship events such as Financial Inclusion Week and the Responsible Finance Forum to spark evidence-based change in the inclusive finance sector.
Is Microfinance Information Exchange a public or private company?
Microfinance Information Exchange is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Microfinance Information Exchange founded?
Microfinance Information Exchange was founded in 2008. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Microfinance Information Exchange based?
Microfinance Information Exchange is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Microfinance Information Exchange's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are J-PAL (Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab), FinEquity, SPTF (Social Performance Task Force), Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) and Cerise. Broad incumbents are Omidyar Network, IFC (International Finance Corporation) and Accion International. BFA Global (now part of 60 Decibels) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Microfinance Information Exchange have an API?
No public API is recorded for Microfinance Information Exchange.
What industry is Microfinance Information Exchange in?
Microfinance Information Exchange's product category is Financial Inclusion Research and Advisory. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGABAM, Microfinance, Financial Inclusion & Inclusive Markets, with a secondary code of BPAGALAJ, Financial Inclusion & Consumer Empowerment (Banking Access, Credit Building). Its NAICS code is 5223 and its SIC code is 9721.