Building a More Inclusive Finance System - Why Good Return and Cerise+SPTF are Natural Partners

Building a More Inclusive Finance System - Why Good Return and Cerise+SPTF are Natural Partners

Building livelihoods requires more than access - it demands systemic change from within. Most people working in financial inclusion already know this isn’t just good for communities — it’s good business. Serving more clients not only builds brand trust and credibility, it attracts broader funding opportunities and fosters innovation in customer engagement

Good Return is proud to be a member of Cerise+SPTF, a global leader in advancing responsible finance. We share a common goal: transforming the financial system from the inside out, so that financial services are truly inclusive, tailored to the real needs of vulnerable communities, and delivered responsibly.

SPTF strengthens responsible inclusive finance by embedding social goals at the core of financial institutions. Their approach is holistic - making sure governance, staff incentives, product design, and client engagement are all aligned around fairness, transparency, and improving lives.

Nitin Madan, SPTF’s Director for the Responsible Inclusive Finance Facility for Southeast Asia

Nitin Madan, SPTF’s Director for the Responsible Inclusive Finance Facility for Southeast Asia, says most financial service providers (FSPs) already want to do the right thing. “It’s not about intention—most financial providers want to get it right. It’s about capability. We work with them to build their understanding of responsible inclusive finance and how to apply that in a way that lasts.”

Responsible inclusive finance (or RIF) goes beyond better products or policies - it’s about reimagining how finance serves people at every level. “RIF is a way of doing business that puts the client at the centre of everything you do,” says Nitin. “If your sales team is incentivised by something different from your social goals, then nothing changes.”

Nitin highlights that a more inclusive financial system benefits everyone. For vulnerable clients, it means gaining independence from predatory moneylenders and building pathways out of poverty. For FSPs in emerging economies, this means stronger and more diverse portfolios.  “When you look at markets like Southeast Asia, there aren’t that many large corporates to lend to. These are MSME markets - financial providers need to serve these clients to grow.”

While progress is being made, Nitin cautions against symbolic gestures that don’t truly serve clients. Offering so-called ‘green loans’ won’t solve the climate crisis without proper product design, and building a digital banking app doesn’t guarantee accessibility or value if it doesn’t meet people’s real needs. This supports Good Return’s approach to building a more inclusive financial system - ensuring loans for climate resilient businesses are supported by technical training for the business owner, and designing digital literacy tools in collaboration with the communities they are intended for. 

For Nitin, responsible inclusive finance means doing no harm and eventually graduating to actively improving people’s financial health or doing good. As he puts it:  “The true test of responsible finance is when things go badly. If a client is struggling but still feels respected by their lender, that’s when I know we’ve made a difference.”

For a taster of training provided by SPTF, try the new Environmental Performance Management course available free if your organisation is looking to measure, manage and reduce its environmental impact.