MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Microfinance Information Exchange Releases Worldwide Benchmark Data, Plus Reports on Tajikistan and Ecuador

The Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) recently released “2008 MFI Benchmarks” covering financial and performance data from 1084 microfinance institutions (MFIs) worldwide, reflecting the impact of the financial downturn. Blaine Stephens, COO and director of analysis at MIX said, “By the end of 2008, MFI growth rates had already begun to slow, leaving MFIs faced with higher operating costs.” He attributed part of these costs to . “Increasing portfolio arrears in a number of markets shift[ing] the focus of MFI staff from making productive new loans to instead following up with current clients to encourage them to make payments.” Also newly available are reports covering 104 institutions providing microfinance in Tajikistan and 47 MFIs in Ecuador.

Additional resources:

Worldwide benchmarks (multiple languages):
http://www.themix.org/sites/default/files/2008%20MFI%20Benchmarks.xls

Tajikistan benchmarks (English):
http://www.themix.org/sites/default/files/2009%20Tajikistan%20Microfinance%20Analysis%20and%20Benchmarking%20Report.pdf

Ecuador benchmarks (Spanish):
http://www.themix.org/sites/default/files/Ecuador%202009%20Microfinance%20Analysis%20&%20Benchmarking%20Report.pdf

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