Urban MFIs, therefore, tend to have lower transaction costs. All the various categories of informal, semi-formal, formal financial suppliers and public sector programs are found in both Northern and Southern Ghana. Privately owned, for profit MFIs such as Savings and Loans, however, are found predominantly in Southern Ghana. This is due to the high density of the population and economic activities, which ensure low transaction costs. Northern Ghana has a higher concentration of subsidized public sector programs.
Susu collectors operate throughout rural and urban Ghana as independent agents.
Traditionally, they have been male. However, a few women have joined the profession, although there is no information on their numbers or proportions. The normal arrangement for mobilizing savings deposits from clients is for the Susu collectors to collect a pre-determined installment of money on a daily or weekly basis. At the end of a cycle of about thirty days, an accumulated sum is paid to the client, less one day s deposit as commission. In an attempt to provide customized service, most Susu collectors begin mobilizing daily deposits starting from noon each day.