FGV EAESP

This chapter aims to present a case study on an innovative experience involving a solidarity fintech called Palmas e-Dinheiro, and its role in promoting both financial inclusion and local development in poor territories in the Northeast region of Brazil. The development of Palmas e-Dinheiro is strongly connected to the historical movement of community banks in the country. We start by presenting the context that has characterized the 20 years since the creation of Banco Palmas in 1998, including a description of the solidarity tools developed during this period to launch the e-Dinheiro mobile payment platform and support the operations of community banks. We conclude by describing the expansion of the e-Dinheiro platform, including its adoption by more than 80 community banks around the country and the creation of Banco Mumbuca in 2013, which currently has more than fifty thousand users and represents the largest e-Dinheiro operation.