Max Nino-Zarazua Email & Phone Number

Bath, United Kingdom

I have proven experience as a results-driven consultant with a successful track of assignments. I am a pragmatic and creative person who enjoys creating solutions to complex situations and transforming business challenges and innovative ideas into larger social impact. Areas of specialisation:• FinTech & Digital Financial Services, experience with FinTech models, promotion and enhancement of Sandbox, SupTech/RegTech implementation, Open Finance engagement, and DFS for low-income… Show more I have proven experience as a results-driven consultant with a successful track of assignments. I am a pragmatic and creative person who enjoys creating solutions to complex situations and transforming business challenges and innovative ideas into larger social impact. Areas of specialisation:• FinTech & Digital Financial Services, experience with FinTech models, promotion and enhancement of Sandbox, SupTech/RegTech implementation, Open Finance engagement, and DFS for low-income populations.• Innovation & Product development: Design and launch of innovative client-led financial services and programmes. • Design, implementation and evaluation of projects. • Evaluation: Social impact assessment, Institutional assessment.• Creative Strategy & Business Development: commercial and operational models, capacity building and strategic plans. Selected projects:Design and implementation of Regulatory Sandbox, Innovation Finance Lab UNDP Ethiopia, National Bank of Ethiopia, CMA EthiopiaStudy on Inequalities European Union's Global Gateway projects. El Salvador, Lesotho. CONCORDEliminating Child Labour in Coffee Supply Chains. Honduras, Uganda. UNICEF, FAO, ILO, ITCBusiness Case for Financial Health. European Microfinance PlatformMarket Research on housing microfinance . New Story, InternationalMarket Research and Feasibility Study for FinTech in Mexico. AFIRMEImpact assessment of Credit Cooperative's housing microfinance programme, MexicoImpact assessment of the CONSTRUYE T programme. UNDP-MexicoImpact evaluation of Mibanco housing microfinance programme, Habitat for Humanity International, PeruStrategic planning workshop for ECLOF International microfinance network, SwitzerlandImpact evaluation of ESAF Small Finance Bank's and Growing Opportunity Finance's housing microfinance programmes, Habitat for Humanity International, IndiaLead Technical Consultant AFIRME Banking Institution, Mexico Show less

United Kingdom

The 'From Research to Practice’ Action Group (AG on Research) was created in April 2020 as an initiative to bring evidence-based research, best practices and new technologies to financial inclusion practitioners with the aim of contributing to improve the lives of the populations in developing countries served by the financial sector. The AG Research is supported by experienced members and organisations working in the frontline of financial inclusion, such as University of Bergamo, ADA,… Show more The 'From Research to Practice’ Action Group (AG on Research) was created in April 2020 as an initiative to bring evidence-based research, best practices and new technologies to financial inclusion practitioners with the aim of contributing to improve the lives of the populations in developing countries served by the financial sector. The AG Research is supported by experienced members and organisations working in the frontline of financial inclusion, such as University of Bergamo, ADA, ILO, Microfinanza Rating, Amarante Consulting, MSC, Lendwithcare at CARE International UK, UNCDF, Opportunity International. The main focus of our work is driven by the financial inclusion industry needs and interests. With the collaboration from different FSPs, investors, regulators, academics, we are currently conducting first-class work in the areas of financial health and financial education. Some of our publications include the following: * Research Digest #2 - Building a Bridge Between Financial Education and Financial Health * Research Digest #1 Covid-19 and the Financial Inclusion Value Chain * Identifying the Research needs of Financial Inclusion actors (survey results) * Covid-19 and the Financial Inclusion Value Chain (full report) Show less

Bristol, United Kingdom

I joined DEKI’s board of trustees to provide over 20 years of experience managing teams and leading the growth of microfinance institutions, banks and development organisations. I have a passion for innovation, strategy, financial products and business solutions that work for the poor together with my academic background and extensive practical experience in the microfinance sector will be instrumental to help Deki achieve its growth strategy.

Mexico - United Kingdom

Led the direction and implementation of the of the 3-year, £10 million Mexico Financial Services (MFS) programme. The MFS programme was a aimed at increasing financial inclusion in Mexico through three interventions: (1) Increasing financial inclusion for Mexico’s vulnerable and poor youth, particularly women, through a human-centred design behavioural financial education programme; (2) Supporting financial services regulators for the implementation of the Fintech law in Mexico, through rollout… Show more Led the direction and implementation of the of the 3-year, £10 million Mexico Financial Services (MFS) programme. The MFS programme was a aimed at increasing financial inclusion in Mexico through three interventions: (1) Increasing financial inclusion for Mexico’s vulnerable and poor youth, particularly women, through a human-centred design behavioural financial education programme; (2) Supporting financial services regulators for the implementation of the Fintech law in Mexico, through rollout of Open Finance, implementation of Suptech and Regtech solutions, and promotion of a functional Regulatory Sandbox, and; (3) deploying a socially focused Adoption/Education Programme to support FinTechs and their MSMEs and male and female users. Some of the main achievements included:• Successfully designed and implemented two editions of the Sandbox Challenge competition awarded 14 FinTechs in partnership with the Banking Commission and the Pensions Commission attracting more than 300 FinTechs from Mexico, LATAM and worldwide.• Provided TA for Open Finance Phase I and II, and the initial stages of Phase III together with the co-funding collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank.• Successfully completed the development of SupTech platform Phase I.• Completed the National Policy for Financial Inclusion Platform for the Banking and Securities Commission • Successfully designed and implemented Caravana FinTech initiative facilitating 53 virtual events impacting more 770 MSMEs, more than 3,600 people with the participation of more than 140 FinTechs and collaboration of partners such as Google, LinkedIn, Visa, IFC, FinTech Mexico, BIVA, BFA, Banxico, Impact Hu, Iupana, AWS, AMEXCAP, SVX, OECD, IADB, Fundación Capital, ProMujer, amongst others.• Successfully developed and implemented a digital financial education platform for the inclusion of people into Saving Systems in partnership with the Mexican Pension Funds Association and a high-school network . Show less

Barcelona Area, Spain

Storm is a start-up that is testing Troka- a marketplace platform that provides micro business in the Global South with digital technology and tools to gain access to affordable working capital loans. Troka links a point of sale app with a marketplace platform enabling micro merchants to manage their business, sell digital services and accept card or digital payments. The app is also the gateway to connect with their main stock suppliers and buy from them on real time. Troka records… Show more Storm is a start-up that is testing Troka- a marketplace platform that provides micro business in the Global South with digital technology and tools to gain access to affordable working capital loans. Troka links a point of sale app with a marketplace platform enabling micro merchants to manage their business, sell digital services and accept card or digital payments. The app is also the gateway to connect with their main stock suppliers and buy from them on real time. Troka records inflow and outflow transactions and uses credit scoring algorithms to generate tailored loans to finance their working capital requirements, based on their commercial needs and financial ability. Show less

Bath, United Kingdom

Bath Social Development Research Ltd (Bath SDR) is an applied research social enterprise based in Bath, UK. It specialises in assessing the impact of development interventions through an innovative tool called the ‘QuIP’ or qualitative impact protocol. Bath SDR works across diverse areas such as financial inclusion, social impact investment, rural development, food security, livelihoods, working conditions, etc. I have been involved in the following projects:Lead Evaluator and… Show more Bath Social Development Research Ltd (Bath SDR) is an applied research social enterprise based in Bath, UK. It specialises in assessing the impact of development interventions through an innovative tool called the ‘QuIP’ or qualitative impact protocol. Bath SDR works across diverse areas such as financial inclusion, social impact investment, rural development, food security, livelihoods, working conditions, etc. I have been involved in the following projects:Lead Evaluator and Project Manager of the impact evaluation and institutional assessment of the Micro Build India Housing Microfinance programme in India. Habitat for Humanity International.I led the evaluation study that entailed qualitative data collection and analysis of two MFIs in Kerala and Tamil Nadu trough two components:• Assessment of the social impact of housing microfinance (HMF) on clients wellbeing. • Institutional analysis and sustainability of HMF. Lead Evaluator and Project Manager of the YQYP programme aimed at improving the wellbeing and productivity of Textile & Apparel workers in Mexico, C&A Foundation.I led the end-term evaluation of a wellbeing and life skill programme for determining its relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact and sustainability and therefore provide an independent assessment which would allow the funders to scale and replicate this model in other regions. Show less

Mexico City Area, Mexico

Led the development and commercial operation of housing financial products for the low-income sector, reporting to the CEO.Key achievements:• Led the housing microcredit portfolio of US$65 million with 300 points of sale and a team of 120 people. • Established strategic alliances and joint ventures with the public and private sector.• Key member of the product development team including product design, piloting and roll out.• Developed and implemented a branchless… Show more Led the development and commercial operation of housing financial products for the low-income sector, reporting to the CEO.Key achievements:• Led the housing microcredit portfolio of US$65 million with 300 points of sale and a team of 120 people. • Established strategic alliances and joint ventures with the public and private sector.• Key member of the product development team including product design, piloting and roll out.• Developed and implemented a branchless operation.• Dissemination of results with internal and external stakeholders. Show less

Mexico City Area, Mexico

Consubanco is the leading consumer credit banking institution, subsidiary of one of the largest supermarket chains in Mexico. I successfully designed, launched and led the day-to-day operation of a microfinance institution, reporting to the CEO.Key responsibilities and achievements:• I led from scratch the design, project implementation and launch of a profitable microfinance institution, with 50 employees and a US$2 million loan portfolio working with tight deadlines, limited… Show more Consubanco is the leading consumer credit banking institution, subsidiary of one of the largest supermarket chains in Mexico. I successfully designed, launched and led the day-to-day operation of a microfinance institution, reporting to the CEO.Key responsibilities and achievements:• I led from scratch the design, project implementation and launch of a profitable microfinance institution, with 50 employees and a US$2 million loan portfolio working with tight deadlines, limited resources and budget constraints.• Designed and implemented village banks and a micro insurance product including product development, credit policies and processes, building and training teams, and branch set-up.• Led the day-to-day operation.• Developed and implemented tools to control the operation.• Managed the business resources within budget. Show less

Monterrey Area, Mexico

Credito Firme is the microfinance institution of AFIRME bank, the largest bank of the North of Mexico. I led the growth of the operation including product development and strategic planning, reporting to the CEO.Key responsibilities and achievements:• Led the development and innovation of microfinance products including village banks, solidarity groups, individual microloans, consumer loans and micro insurance products for low-income entrepreneurs.• Developed strategic &… Show more Credito Firme is the microfinance institution of AFIRME bank, the largest bank of the North of Mexico. I led the growth of the operation including product development and strategic planning, reporting to the CEO.Key responsibilities and achievements:• Led the development and innovation of microfinance products including village banks, solidarity groups, individual microloans, consumer loans and micro insurance products for low-income entrepreneurs.• Developed strategic & operational plans increasing the loan portfolio from US$10 million to $US15 million and expanding the branch network from 25 to 77 branches in six months.• Implemented and led the operation of business intelligence and operational control systems aimed at improving the portfolio’s quality; reducing PAR 30 days from 15% to less than 4% in 8 months.• Responsible for developing relationships with funders (US$30 million) and setting-up new funding ventures.• Key team member of the development and implementation of the front-end credit system. Show less

Guadalajara Area, Mexico

OI is one of the largest networks of microfinance institutions in the world providing products and services to poor entrepreneurs. I executed the day-to-day operation with outstanding results, reporting to the Board of Directors.As Interim CEO at Opportunity International, Mexico (an international microfinance NGO) I successfully facilitated the company’s growth and financial sustainability by inspiring people to meet the organisation’s mission, introducing a new incentive scheme for… Show more OI is one of the largest networks of microfinance institutions in the world providing products and services to poor entrepreneurs. I executed the day-to-day operation with outstanding results, reporting to the Board of Directors.As Interim CEO at Opportunity International, Mexico (an international microfinance NGO) I successfully facilitated the company’s growth and financial sustainability by inspiring people to meet the organisation’s mission, introducing a new incentive scheme for loan officers, improving the operational processes and consolidating the management team. The organisation improved the turn-out rate and grew from 80 to 100 employees and this impacted more clients, growing from 10 to 15 thousand which meant a net portfolio’s growth of US$2 million keeping PAR 30 days under 2%. Show less

Guadalajara Area, Mexico

I was responsible for the commercial operation of group-based loans across the West of Mexico. When was Commercial Manager, the microfinance sector in Mexico was sky rocketing and driving poor entrepreneurs to an increasing debt trap. My main role was to expand the microcredit programme and impact more families without increasing indebtedness. By introducing a new incentives scheme and improving due diligence processes I triggered exponential growth. In 8 months I increased sales performance of… Show more I was responsible for the commercial operation of group-based loans across the West of Mexico. When was Commercial Manager, the microfinance sector in Mexico was sky rocketing and driving poor entrepreneurs to an increasing debt trap. My main role was to expand the microcredit programme and impact more families without increasing indebtedness. By introducing a new incentives scheme and improving due diligence processes I triggered exponential growth. In 8 months I increased sales performance of group-based loans rising the number of active clients from 10 to 15 thousand keeping PAR > 30 days under 2%. Show less

United Kingdom

• Financial access action-research project by MicroSave-Africa and the Decentralised Financial Services Office. Financial Sector Deepening Programme, Kenya and Uganda.• Market research, product development, market penetration, impact assessment and strategic planning. Opportunity International US and Mexico.• Technical assistance on microfinance product development and financial education. IMIFAP, Mexico.

Bath, Uk

Project Analyst. University of Bath, UK (Part-time).Research Assistant. Imp-Act Microfinance Programme. University of Bath, UK (Part-time).• Assisted on an action research programme between the universities of Bath, Sheffield and Sussex aimed at improving the impact of microfinance on poverty.

Mexico

• Centres for Microentrepreneurial Support (CAM) – a strategic partnership between technological universities, private sector institutions and local governments of Mexico. CAM used graduates and facilities of technological universities to provide poor local artisans and micro-entrepreneurs with small loans and technical assistance to strengthen their income-generation activities and improve their livelihoods on a more sustainable basis.• Community Centre – a joint programme between UNACE… Show more • Centres for Microentrepreneurial Support (CAM) – a strategic partnership between technological universities, private sector institutions and local governments of Mexico. CAM used graduates and facilities of technological universities to provide poor local artisans and micro-entrepreneurs with small loans and technical assistance to strengthen their income-generation activities and improve their livelihoods on a more sustainable basis.• Community Centre – a joint programme between UNACE, A.C. and Familias Mexicanas, Inc., (Non-profit Organisation established in USA) aimed at supporting poor rural women and their children in Mexico whose husbands were working in the USA. Meanwhile the project supported the migrant husbands in the USA through legal advice and community-based programmes.• The Global Programme for the Microenterprise Support – advisory role for a nation wide development programme launched by the largest development bank in Mexico aimed at supporting micro-entrepreneurial communities.• Economic Valuation of Air Quality Improvement in the Metropolitan Area of Mexico City – research role for a project financed by the World Bank. Show less

Phd, Economics And International Development

Activities and Societies: Thesis: Financial services in a poor area of Mexico City: from physical access to effective use PUBLICATIONS.

Msc, Economics And Social Policy Analysis

Activities and Societies: Dissertaion: Microfinance as a tool for poverty alleviation