The People’s Bank of China (PBOC), the central bank of China, has announced plans to legalize private lending and remove a cap on interest rates charged by microfinance institutions (MFIs). Continue Reading »
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MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: People’s Bank of China (PBOC) to Legalize Private Lending and Remove Cap on Interest Rates Charged by Microfinance Institutions (MFIs)
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) Releases Third Annual Global Ranking of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs)
The Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX), the microfinance information clearinghouse, recently released its third annual ranking of microfinance institutions (MFIs), The Mix Global 100. Continue Reading »
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: India’s Microfinance Institutions Network (MFIN) Members to Create Credit Bureau in an Effort to Prevent Client Overindebtedness and Maximize Repayment
India’s Microfinance Institutions Network (MFIN), a self-regulatory organization of 31 of India’s largest microfinance companies, recently said its members will provide borrowers’ names, addresses and loan details to a credit bureau they have created, Alpha Micro Finance Consultants P Ltd (Alpha), in an effort to prevent client overindebtedness and maximize repayment. Continue Reading »
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Local Government to Launch Microfinance Program in Selangor, Malaysia
The government of the Malaysian state Selangor recently announced that it would set up a microfinance program in an attempt belp low-income residents increase their earnings. Continue Reading »
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Janalakshmi Financial Services (JFS), a Microfinance Institution (MFI) Located in India, Raises $10m from Funders Including Tree Line Asia Master Fund (Singapore) Private Limited and Bellwether Microfinance Fund
Janalakshmi Financial Services (JFS), a microfinance institution (MFI) located in India, has raised INR 45.8 crore, the equivalent of over USD 10 million, in a second round of funding. Continue Reading »
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: SKS Microfinance, a Microfinance Institution (MFI) Based in India, Expected to File for Initial Public Offering (IPO) in Next Four Weeks
SKS Microfinance Limited, a microfinance institution (MFI) based in India, is expected to file for an initial public offering (IPO) in the next three to four weeks, according to three sources that news provider, Reuters, does not name. Continue Reading »
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Standard Chartered, an International Commercial Bank, Provides $1.6m Loan to Mitra Bisnis Keluarga Ventura (MBK), a Microfinance Institution (MFI) Located in Indonesia
Standard Chartered, an international commercial bank headquartered in London, has provided an IDR 15 billion loan, the equivalent of over USD 1.6 million, to Mitra Bisnis Keluarga Ventura (MBK), a microfinance institution (MFI) located in Indonesia. Continue Reading »
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: ACCION International Announces Inauguration of ACCION Microcredit China (AMC), a Microfinance Institution (MFI) Located in Chifeng Prefecture, Inner Mongolia, China
ACCION International, a nonprofit organization with partner microfinance institutions (MFIs) in over 20 countries, has announced the inauguration of ACCION Microcredit China (AMC), an MFI located in Chifeng Prefecture, Inner Mongolia, China. Continue Reading »
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Ranks the Philippines “Best” in World in Terms of Microfinance Regulatory Framework
A study conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), the business information arm of The Economist Group, the producer of The Economist weekly magazine, has ranked the Philippines as first in the world in terms of its microfinance regulatory framework and third in the world in terms of its microfinance business environment, following Peru and Bolivia. Continue Reading »
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: The Pakistan Microfinance Network (PMN) Develops Software to Benchmark Local Microfinance Industry
In an attempt to increase transparency for microfinance stakeholders, the Pakistan Microfinance Network (PMN) has developed two benchmarking software applications, Pakistan Microfinance Review (PMR) software and Microfinance Connect. Continue Reading »
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) of India Invites Comments on Draft Plan for Microfinance Regulation and Development
India’s National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) is seeking comments from stakeholders on a draft plan regarding regulation and development in the microfinance industry. Continue Reading »
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: LOLC Micro Credit Ltd. (LOMC) Receives $14m from Symbiotics and Three Triodos Funds to Expand Microfinance Operations in Sri Lanka
Symbiotics SA Information, Consulting and Services Switzerland, a microfinance investment intermediary, and Triodos Investment Management, a group managing four microfinance funds, recently invested the equivalent of USD 14 million in LOLC Micro Credit Ltd. (LOMC), a Sri Lankan microfinance institution. Continue Reading »
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Asian Development Bank (ADB) Provides $300m to Indian Guarantee Fund and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)
The Asian Development Bank (ADB), a multilateral development bank, will provide a USD 50 million loan to the state-owned Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) for lending to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and a partial credit guarantee of up to USD 250 million for ADB’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Development Project, which will allow public sector commercial banks to obtain medium- to long-term funds to on-lend to existing MSME clients in India. Continue Reading »
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Southern Sudan Microfinance Development Facility (SSMDF) Provides $92k to Rural Finance Initiative (RUFI), a Microfinance Institution (MFI), for Technical Assistance and On-Lending
The Southern Sudan Microfinance Development Facility (SSMDF), a microfinance investment facility supported by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Government of Southern Sudan, will provide funding of SDG 214,290, the equivalent of USD 92,565, to the Rural Finance Initiative (RUFI), a microfinance institution (MFI) located in Southern Sudan, over a period of three years. Continue Reading »
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Warns Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) to Improve Governance Standards
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), India’s central bank, has warned that microfinance institutions (MFIs) will be taken off the priority sector lending list if the industry does not improve its governance standards. Continue Reading »
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Indonesian Government Adds 13 Banks to Association of Regional Development Banks (Asbanda) to Distribute Microcredit
The government of Indonesia has added 13 existing banks to the Association of Regional Development Banks (Asbanda) to distribute microcredit across the country. Continue Reading »
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Indian Microfinance Institution SKS Microfinance Raises $21m from Debentures and Commercial Paper
SKS Microfinance, a microfinance institution in India, recently raised INR 100 crore (the equivalent of USD 21 million) by issuing INR 50 crore (the equivalent of USD 10.5 million) worth of non-convertible debentures to Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company, an Indian life insurance provider, and INR 50 crore worth of commercial paper to Religare Asset Management Company, a mutual fund. Continue Reading »
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Newsweek Article Examines Importance of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) in Post-Disaster Environments
A recent article in US-based Newsweek magazine entitled ‘Big Crisis, Small Help’ examines the importance of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in mitigating crises in post-disaster environments. Continue Reading »





