In his article, published in British newspaper Financial Times, Jonathan Wheatley reports that, as the global banking system sinks into its worst crisis since the 1930s, there is a resurgence of interest in microfinance among Latin American banks. Several articles and papers have reported on this up and coming trend. Continue Reading »

Grama Vidiyal Microfinance Ltd (GVM) is in talks with private equity firms to raise INR 500 million (USD 9.7 million) to fund a proposed expansion that includes establishing branches in neighboring states as well as recruiting 700 more employees. We currently do not have any information as to which private equity funds have been approached for funding. Founded in 1993 and based in Tamil Nadu, India, Grama Vidiyal Microfinance Ltd is a non-governmental microfinance institution. As of March 2008, its total gross loan portfolio is USD 28.7 million, total assets USD 30.8 million, and total equity USD 4.8 million. Continue Reading »

BASF SE and Grameen Healthcare Trust, a member of the Grameen Family that helps build new microfinance institutions (MFIs) around the world, have announced the establishment of BASF Grameen Ltd. BASF Grameen Ltd is a joint social business venture whose purpose is to improve the health and business opportunities of the poor in Bangladesh. To meet this purpose, the company will start with two products from BASF’s portfolio, a dietary supplement sachet containing vitamins and micronutrients and impregnated mosquito nets that offer protection against insect-borne disease. Continue Reading »

In Madurai, Indian Bank will be opening a new branch exclusively for the purpose of microfinancing. This will be the 15^th such branch for Indian Bank. Continue Reading »

First European Research Conference on Microfinance

June 2-4, 2009, Université Libre de Bruxelles in Brussels, Belgium

The First European Research Conference on Microfinance is being co-hosted by the Centre for European Research in Microfinance (CERMi) and the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP). The conference consists of workshops and panels where researchers will present their work and discuss it with their international colleagues. The conference will be chaired by Professor Marek Hudon, member of CERMi, from the Université Libre de Bruxelles Belgium and Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, and keynote speakers include Professor David Hulme from the University of Manchester, Professor Jonathan Morduch from New York University, and Professor Jean-Michel Servet from the Institut Universitaire d’Etudes du Développement de Genève. Continue Reading »