1. Language of Money: The nuances of financial jargon provide clarity in conversation, but exclude many. The New Yorker
2. Biometric Identification: Many countries, including India and Nigeria, continue to roll out biometric identity cards which can improve access to financial services. Alliance for Financial Inclusion
3. Islamic Microfinance: How can Sharia-compliant microfinance help bring financial tools to the 650 million Muslims living on less than $2 a day? The World Bank
4. Immigrant Finance: The prospect of comprehensive immigration reform highlights the opportunity for financial institutions to build long-term relationships with immigrants. Center for Financial Services Innovation
5. Financial Innovation: In developing new products, when is it better to follow than to lead? Next Billion
A new report from The Urban Institute finds 5.3% of Americans have debt past due; the share is higher in the South.
Editors’ Note: Hi, Laura and Jonathan here. A few of the pieces this week come from people who spent years up close with how poor households actually handle money, and keep coming back with something more tangled than the story usually told, and more persistent. Tim will be back for the next edition. - Laura Freschi and Jonathan Morduch