Post office-based financial services play a major role in bringing poorer members of society into the formal economy. But they offer much more than the chance to normalise the economies of the developing world. Many of today's post offices, aware of their eroding market positions, are teaming up with major finance providers to provide an alternative to traditional High Street banks. In some markets they are becoming a formidable force, with an expanding product portfolio that includes mortgages and loans in addition to traditional banking and savings services.
展开▼
