Development For The People By The People: A Study Of Designing Successful Cooperative Banking Programs as a Means Of Addressing Vulnerable Populations

This study measures the impact of collective banks with microlending programs on vulnerable populations, specifically sex worker populations. It measures program success along five markers: increase in personal security, change in community perception, change in self-perception, subversion of shadow economies, and the effect of service provision. Semi-structured interviews are used as a means of measuring impacts along these markers. A combination of deductive and inductive coding was used to group the interview data into themes and then thematic analysis was performed to draw meaningful inferences. The interview data revealed that there was a tangible increase in physical, mental, and financial security amongst the participants. There was also a marked positive change in community and self-perception. The subversion of shadow economies was also a result of the financial blanket the bank provided. Lastly, the study shows that service provision was a big part of the success of the program design.