MicroFinance Transparency (MFTransparency), a US-based nongovernmental organization that provides information on microcredit products and their prices, recently revealed the Truth in Lending Tables (TILT) Data Platform that displays the interest rates and fees charged to 40 million microfinance clients of 429 institutions across 20 countries. Continue Reading »
Since Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo vowed in 2012 to replace all cash wage payments in the hopes of minimizing corruption, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has issued wage payments to 270,000 of 1 million civil servants via mobile banking. Continue Reading »
The Luxembourg Fund Labeling Agency (LuxFLAG), a nonprofit organization that investigates whether investment vehicles actually support the microfinance and environment sectors, is accepting applications from microfinance investment vehicles (MIVs) for its annual Microfinance Label until May 7, 2013. Continue Reading »
“Microfinance Institution Tier Definitions;” published by MicroRate; April 2013; 2 pages; available at http://www.microrate.com/media/downloads/2013/04/MicroRate-White-paper-Microfinance-Institution-Tier-Definitions.pdf
This report proposes a “tier system that defines microfinance institution [MFI] peer groups by institutional maturity to provide a foundation for industry analysis and informed dialogue.” Continue Reading »
The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), a quasi-independent agency of the federal government that insures deposit-taking financial institutions, recently announced that it will grant an undisclosed amount of financial assistance to distressed microfinance banks (MFBs) and primary mortgage banks (PMBs) recently closed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Continue Reading »
The China Microfinance Institution Association (CMIA), an organization that advocates for the interests of 92 domestic member microfinance institutions (MFIs) covering 27 provinces, plans to introduce a credit rating system to evaluate MFIs as early as July.
MicroFinance Transparency (MFTransparency), a US-based NGO, is bringing its “Transparent Pricing Initiative” to Morocco. Continue Reading »
The Social Performance Task Force (SPTF), a working group initiated in 2005 by a group of NGOs based in the US and Switzerland, is calling for microfinance industry professionals to fill out an online survey intended to identify what social performance management practices are being implemented throughout the microfinance industry, what challenges exist in implementing these policies and what additional resources institutions need to achieve their social performance goals more effectively. Continue Reading »
“Microfinance and Patriarchy: A Drift Away from Serving Women;” published by Knowledge @ Wharton; 2013; 3 pages; available at: http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/createpdf.cfm?articleid=3169
This report highlights the importance of gender equality in the provision of microfinance and focuses on the negative impacts of patriarchal attitudes on lending practices. Continue Reading »
The Social Performance Task Force (SPTF), a working group initiated in 2005 by CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor), the Argidius Foundation and the Ford Foundation, is seeking submissions for its online Universal Standards Resource Library. Continue Reading »
By Eric Duflos, Paul Luchtenburg, Li Ren and Li Yan Chen, published by CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) and International Finance Corporation, January 2013, 43 pages, available at: http://www1.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/d87bf8804e5aba9bad7dadfce4951bf6/Microfinance+in+Myanmar+Sector+Assessment-Final.pdf?MOD=AJPERES
This joint CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) report reviews the current state of Myanmar’s microfinance sector and the challenges involved with its future development. Continue Reading »
The 25-member Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) reportedly has amended its code of banking practice, which is expected to increase transparency in customer interactions. Continue Reading »
The government of Belarus reportedly has issued a draft decree that would regulate microfinance institutions (MFIs). Continue Reading »
The Smart Campaign, a consumer-protection initiative launched in 2010 by US-based nonprofit Accion, recently released a Client Protection Certification Program that aims to verify that financial institutions serving the world’s poor people are focused on the fair treatment of clients. Continue Reading »
A new law in Kazakhstan reportedly will tighten regulations and enhance transparency in the microfinance sector. Continue Reading »
The Social Performance Task Force (SPTF), a working group initiated in 2005 by CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor), the Argidius Foundation and the Ford Foundation, is seeking submissions for its online Universal Standards Resource Library. Continue Reading »
MicroFinance Transparency (MFTransparency), a US-based nongovernmental organization that provides information on microcredit products and their prices, is partnering with Pakistan Microfinance Network (PMN), a network of 29 microfinance providers in Pakistan, to publish pricing data on loans offered by microfinance institutions in Pakistan. Continue Reading »
A group of lenders headed by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), a state-owned bank, have made it compulsory for microfinance institutions (MFIs) in the country to undergo third-party assessments of their codes of conduct in order to receive loans. Continue Reading »
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