Source: Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX).

Original press release available here.

The Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) today released Latin America and Caribbean Benchmarks, 2007, a series of benchmarks based on sample data from a record 283 microfinance institutions from 15 countries in the Latin America region. The benchmarks reflect are based on performance data from 2007, the most recent data available.

“Benchmarks are critical to a healthy microfinance sector, providing a tool for assessment, review, and comparison, and ultimately providing a path for creating strong institutions. The participation of the microfinance institutions is integral to the strength of the industry in this region, and we greatly appreciate those institutions’ on-going collaboration with MIX,” stated Matthew Gehrke, regional manager for MIX.

The benchmarks are comprised of more than 60 key indicators, including financing structure, number of active borrowers, average loan balance per borrower and operational self-sufficiency, and include information based on the type of credit products the microfinance institutions specialize in, such as microenterprise, consumer, commercial, and mortgage.

Matthew Gehrke said, “Our coverage of the Latin America/Caribbean market would not be possible without the support of our network partners: ASOFIN (Asociación de Entidades Financieras Especializadas en Micro Finanzas); COPEME (El Consorcio de Organizaciones Privadas de Promoción al Desarrollo de la Micro y Pequeña Empresa); ProDesarrollo, RADIM (Red Argentina de Instituciones de Microcrédito); REDCAMIF (Red Centroamericana de Microfinanzas); RFR (Red Financiera Rural).”

To access the MIX 2007 Regional Benchmarks, click here.