Taking place in New York from May 14 to 16, the Global Microfinance Investment Congress brought together delegates from microfinance institutions (MFIs), microfinance investment vehicles (MIVs), commercial banks, financial institutions, and government agencies. While the congress tackled microfinance investments and the industry’s future, this article will summarize a few themes addressed during the presentations and panels. Continue Reading »

This 4-page paper discusses the subprime credit market collapse and the comparable forces that could apply to microfinance. Written by Cecelia Beirne, a portfolio manager at global microfinance intermediary MicroVest Capital Management, the paper concludes with recommendations for the microfinance industry. One can find the full version here. Continue Reading »

ASIA-PACIFIC REGIONAL MICROCREDIT SUMMIT 2008

JULY 28-30, 2008, BALI, INDONESIA

The Asia-Pacific Regional Microcredit Summit 2008 (APRMS) is the 12^th conference in a series of global and regional summits by the Microcredit Summit Campaign (MSC). In plenary sessions, APRMS will discuss 4 commission papers and present tow Institution Action Plans. The Summit will also feature 3 sets of workshop sessions, a 5-day course on a variety of subjects, and 12 sessions organized by delegates. Continue Reading »

At a seminar for Finance Correspondents and Business Editors, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said it was worried about microfinance banks (MFBs) drifting from their core functions. The CBN also expressed concern about the distribution of MFBs in the country and the lack of functional support institutions. Continue Reading »

Indian non-banking finance company, Grama Vidiyal Microfinance (GV), will look to increase its branches by 115 for its current 100. Currently GV operates in 18 districts of the southern state of Tamil Nadu. By December of 2009, the company expects to open branches in Andhra Pradesh and then in northern India. Continue Reading »

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) published a 2008 Business Outlook Survey on the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sector in India. Providing a general overview of MSMEs, the survey also prioritized key policy initiatives and discussed future scenarios for the sector. Furthermore, the CII National SME Forum changed its 2007-2008 theme to “Building MSMEs, Building India”. Continue Reading »

The Dutch Bank ING published its updated 2008 study on commercial bank microfinance activity, called “A Billion to Gain? The Next Phase”. A MicroCapital summary of the paper can be read here. MicroCapital is reviewing the microfinance activities of several of large international banks covered in the study, such as Deutsche Bank (DB). Continue Reading »

The Dutch Bank ING published its updated 2008 study on commercial bank microfinance activity, called “A Billion to Gain? The Next Phase”. A MicroCapital summary of the paper can be read here. MicroCapital is reviewing the microfinance activities of several of large international banks covered in the study, such as Crédit Agricole SA (CA). Continue Reading »

The Dutch Bank ING published its updated 2008 study on commercial bank microfinance activity, called “A Billion to Gain? The Next Phase”. A MicroCapital summary of the paper can be read here. MicroCapital is reviewing the microfinance activities of several of large international banks covered in the study, such as Commerzbank AG. Continue Reading »

The World Bank will grant USD 6 million to the Rwandan government for the ongoing reform of the microfinance sector. The injection will also support the improvement of auditing and accounting standards and strengthen the regulation and supervision of non-bank financial institutions (NBFI) and microfinance institutions (MFI). Continue Reading »

The Dutch Bank ING published its updated 2008 study on commercial bank microfinance activity, called “A Billion to Gain? The Next Phase”. A MicroCapital summary of the paper can be read here. MicroCapital is reviewing the microfinance activities of several of large international banks covered in the study, such as Citigroup (Citi). Continue Reading »

The Mindanao Microfinance Council, Inc. (MMCI) will conduct a study to assess microfinance activities. More specifically, the study will focus on whether microfinance beneficiaries are benefiting from microloans as well as how to improve access to certain regions. Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines and includes the predominantly Muslim provinces. Continue Reading »

This 21-page paper provides microfinance institutions (MFIs) guidelines to measure their social performance and thus stay true to their mission and goals. Part of ACCION International’s InSight Series, the paper was written by Senior Director Rekha Reddy, who is responsible for measuring the poverty and social performance of ACCIOn affiliates. ACCION International is an international, non-profit microlending organization. One can find the full paper here. Continue Reading »

East Indian microfinance institution (MFI) Bharat Integrated Social Welfare Agency (BISWA) sold USD 5.9 million of its agricultural assets, otherwise known as agri assets. The sale was arranged by Grameen Capital India (GCI), who was also responsible for identifying a pipeline of potential purchasers among domestic, private Indian banks. Continue Reading »

The Dutch Bank ING published its updated 2008 study on commercial bank microfinance activity, called “A Billion to Gain? The Next Phase”. A MicroCapital summary of the paper can be read here. MicroCapital is reviewing the microfinance activities of several of large international banks covered in the study, such as the AXA Group. Continue Reading »

Indian microfinance institution (MFI), SKS Microfinance (SKS) announced it will partner with Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company to provide its members with a group insurance product. The product will be distributed by SKS and- according to the CEO of Bajaj Allianz Mr. Kamesh Goyal- will give Bajaj Allianz access to the micro-insurance market. Continue Reading »

The Dutch Bank ING published its updated 2008 study on commercial bank microfinance activity, called “A Billion to Gain? The Next Phase”. A MicroCapital review of the paper can be read here. MicroCapital is reviewing the microfinance activities of several of large international banks covered in the study, such as American International Group (AIG). Continue Reading »

This 24-page article discusses the ethical and legal arguments behind credit as a basic human right. Written by Marek Hudon of the Solvay Business School at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), the paper proposes that credit in a “goal-right” system as opposed to a blind human right will appropriately work towards universal access to credit. One can find the full paper here. Continue Reading »