MFTransparency, a US-based nongovernmental organization launched in July 2008 that aims to provide information on credit products and pricing, the Association of Micro Finance Institutions in Togo (APIM-Togo), the Association of Microfinance Institutions of Benin (FNM) and the Association of Decentralized Financial Systems of Benin (Consortium ALAFIA) are partnering to expand MFTransparency’s Transparent Pricing Initiative to Togo and Benin with the aim of providing training on interest rate calculations, publishing online pricing information and promoting consumer protection.
Category: Transparency
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Bankers Association of the Philippines – Credit Bureau Incorporated (BAP-CB) Offers Rural Banks, Microfinance Providers Access to Credit Information System
The Bankers Association of the Philippines – Credit Bureau Incorporated (BAP-CB), a nonprofit organization that was established in 1949, recently offered rural banks in the Philippines access to its credit information system.
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: MFTransparency Launches Transparent Pricing Initiative in Rwanda Aiming to Reduce Interest Rates on Microfinance Loans
MFTransparency, a US-based nongovernmental watchdog that focuses on interest rates in the microfinance industry, recently expanded its Transparent Pricing Initiative to Rwanda to educate citizens in that country on interest rates in an effort to impel microfinance institutions (MFIs) in the country to lower microfinance interest rates. Plans for this expansion were announced on this website in October.
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Founder of Grameen Bank and Nobel Peace Prize Winner Dr Muhammad Yunus Speaks Out Against the Commercialization of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs)
Dr Muhammad Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in microcredit, has again spoken out against the commercialization of microfinance institutions (MFIs) and their deviation from the mission of poverty alleviation.
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Rating Agency Crisil Downgrades Five Indian Microfinance Institutions (MFIs)
Crisil, a credit rating agency based in Bangalore, India, has downgraded its rating of five Indian microfinance institutions (MFIs), citing low debt collections in Andhra Pradesh.
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Grameen Foundation Releases Updated Microfinance Management Information Software (MIS) Mifos 2.0
The Grameen Foundation, a nonprofit based in Washington, DC, that aims to help microfinance institutions (MFIs) replicate the microfinance model of Grameen Bank, has announced the release of Mifos 2.0, the latest version of its management information software (MIS) for microfinance.
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Dr Muhammad Yunus, Founder of Grameen Bank and Winner of Nobel Peace Prize for Work in Microfinance, Cleared of Allegations of Illegal Money Transfer to Grameen Kalyan
Grameen Bank founder and 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Dr Muhammad Yunus, who had been accused of ‘siphoning’ approximately USD 100 million from Grameen Bank to its affiliated health insurer Grameen Kalyan, has reportedly been cleared of any allegations of mishandling funds by the Norwegian Ministry of Affairs.
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) Solicits Input For “Banana Skins” Survey of Prospects for the Commercial Microfinance Industry
CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) has issued a call for participation in its “Banana Skins” survey which aims to identify the main risks facing the industry over the next two to three years based on the views of practitioners, investors and close observers of microfinance.
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: 350 Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) Report to Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) Social Performance Reporting Awards
The Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX), the microfinance data clearinghouse, recently argued that microfinance institutions (MFIs) around the world have increased their commitment to transparency in social performance based on a surge in applications to the MIX’s 2010 Social Performance Reporting Awards, which acknowledge openness in reporting.
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Investment Company responsAbility Releases “Microfinance Market Outlook 2011”
responsAbility Social Investments AG, an investment company in Switzerland, recently released “Microfinance Market Outlook 2011,” a report based on surveys of representatives of microfinance institutions (MFIs), investors, rating agencies and consultancies.
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: The International Finance Corporation (IFC) Publishes “Doing Business 2011: Making A Difference for Entrepreneurs,” Analysis of Business Regulation Worldwide
The International Finance Corporation, a World Bank Group member created to support private sector development, recently released the annual report “Doing Business 2011: Making A Difference for Entrepreneurs,” which examines the impact of regulations that affect business activity.
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Pakistan, Cambodia and Philippines Top Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) Ranking of Microfinance Regulatory Frameworks
A study conducted by the Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU), the business information arm of The Economist Group, the producer of The Economist weekly magazine, has ranked Pakistan, Cambodia and the Philippines first in the world in terms of regulatory framework. The study was based on data from 54 countries, measuring their regulatory frameworks, investment climate and institutional development.
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Dr Muhammed Yunus, Winner of Nobel Prize for Work in Microfinance, Accused of Improperly Transferring $100m from Grameen Bank to Insurer Grameen Kalyan
Bdnews24.com, a web-based Bangladeshi newspaper, reports that Muhammed Yunus, the founder of microfinance institution (MFI) Grameen Bank of Bangladesh and a 2006 Nobel Prize winner for championing microcredit, has been accused of secretly transferring approximately USD 100 million in 1996 to Grameen Kalyan, a sister company of Grameen Bank that offers affordable health insurance to Grameen members and their families but does not engage in microlending.
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) Grants Transparency Certificates to Microfinance Investment Vehicles (MIVs) That Adhere to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Standards
CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor), a policy and research center dedicated to enhancing financial access for the world’s poor, has announced its granting of Transparency Certificates to several microfinance investment vehicles (MIVs) that are in compliance with its environmental, social and governance (ESG) guidelines for MIVs.
MICROCAPITAL PAPER WRAP-UP: Same Game, Different League: What Microfinance Institutions Can Learn From the Large Banks Corporate Governance Debate
By Maria Giovanna Pugliese, published by World Microfinance Forum Geneva, October 2010, 24 pages, available at: http://www.microfinancegateway.org/gm/document-1.9.48253/Same_Game_Diffe…
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Grameen Foundation Announces Creation of Bankers Without Borders (BwB) Alliance Program to Expand Microfinance Institution (MFI) Volunteering Initiative
Grameen Foundation, a US-based nonprofit, has announced the creation of the Alliance Program, within its Bankers Without Borders initiative, which will focus on increasing volunteerism in the microfinance and development technology sectors in Asia and Latin America.
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) Receives Funding From Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and the Ford Foundation to Expand Social Performance Initiative
Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX), a source of financial and social performance data on microfinance institutions (MFIs), funders and service providers, has received grants from the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and the Ford Foundation to expand its Social Performance Information Program.
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: CGAP’s Microfinance Gateway Celebrates 10 Years of Operation
Microfinance Gateway, a microfinance website provided as a service of CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) featuring research and other publications, industry announcements, news, events and job opportunities in the microfinance sector, has reached 10 years of operation.