Grameen Koota, a India-based microfinance division of Grameen Financial Services Private Limited (GFSPL), plans to expand into housing microfinance in areas of rural India that have limited microfinance institution (MFI) penetration.
Category: Trends/Challenges
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: FinScope Rwanda Survey Indicates Rise in Rural Lending Penetration to 58%, Reaches Savings to 68%
FinMark Trust, a South African nonprofit, recently released the FinScope Rwanda report titled “Financial Inclusion in Rwanda 2008-2012”, which indicates a growing demand for loans in rural Rwanda.
MICROFINANCE PUBLICATION ROUND-UP: Analysis of Microfinance Investment Vehicles; Female Microfinance Clients in Pakistan; Life Microinsurance in the Philippines
“The State of Microfinance Investment 2012: MicroRate’s 7th Annual Survey and Analysis of MIVs;” published by MicroRate; October 2012; 17 pages; available at: http://www.microrate.com/downloads/78
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: South Africa Proposes “Twin Peaks” Financial Regulation System
At a conference in Cape Town, South Africa, hosted by the Alliance of Financial Inclusion (AFI), a nonprofit Thailand-based network of financial policymakers aimed at increasing access to financial services, South African Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan announced that his country is considering the implementation of a “Twin Peaks” regulation system in an effort to foster financial inclusion, strengthen consumer protection, combat financial crime, promote financial education efforts and increase the accessibility of financial services.
MICROFINANCE EVENT: Social Capital Marketplace (SOCAP) Presents SOCAP: Soul, November 10, 2012, Boston, Massachusetts, US
Event Name: SOCAP: SOUL
Event Date: November 10, 2012
Event Location: The Cathedral Church of St Paul, Boston, Massachusetts, US
MICROFINANCE EVENT: Baker & McKenzie Hosts Discussion on Impact of Microfinance, New York, USA, October 30, 2012
Event Name: Microfinance: Measuring and Maximizing Impact
Event Date: October 30, 2012
Event Location: Baker & McKenzie LLP, 1114 Avenue of the Americas, 4th Floor, New York, USA
MICROFINANCE EVENT: CGAP, MicroSave Host Virtual Conference on “Client Insights: How Can Providers Listen and Learn from Their Clients”, October 30-31, 2012
Event Name: Client Insights: How Can Providers Listen and Learn from Their Clients?
Event Date: October 30-October 31, 2012
Event Location: Online
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Government Savings Bank of Thailand Expands Microfinance Services in Border Areas
Government Savings Bank (GSB), a government-owned bank providing personal and corporate services in Thailand, reportedly plans to offer new microfinance products and otherwise expand services in advance of the anticipated 2015 launch of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Community (AEC).
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Kenya to Levy 10% Tax on Mobile Money Transactions
Kenya’s government recently announced a 10-percent excise duty will be charged on fees for cash transactions executed using mobile money transfer systems.
MICROFINANCE EVENT: HBS-Accion Program on Strategic Leadership For Microfinance, Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, April 1-April 6, 2013
Event Name: HBS-Accion Program on Strategic Leadership for Microfinance
Event Date: April 1 – April 6, 2013
Event Location: Harvard Business School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
MICROFINANCE EVENT: Absolute Portfolio Management Hosting Webinar on “Microfinance Investment Insights”, October 25, 2012
Event Name: Microfinance Investment Insights
Event Date: October 25, 2012, 4:00 – 4.30 p.m. Central European Summer Time
Event Location: Online
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Central Bank of Sri Lanka Hopes Third Time is Charm for Microfinance Institutions Law
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has reportedly floated a third draft of legislation to regulate microfinance institutions (MFIs) with the intent of ensuring financial stability in the sector.
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: International Finance Corporation (IFC) to Invest $18m in Equitas Microfinance India, Private Equity Funds Looking to Invest in Indian Microfinance Institutions
The International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, reportedly has proposed investing INR 1 billion (USD 18.9 million) in Equitas Microfinance India, an Indian microfinance institution (MFI).
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Central Bank of Kenya May Give Microfinance Institutions Access to Credit Reference Bureau
The Kenya Bankers Association (KBA), which promotes the interests of its 43 member banks, and the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) are reportedly working on possible regulation changes that would allow microfinance institutions (MFIs) to access customer data at the country’s Credit Reference Bureau.
MICROFINANCE EVENT: Hanson Wade Offers Impact Investing Summit, Washington DC, USA, November 26-28, 2012
Event Name: Impact Investing Summit: Advanced Investment Strategies for the Bottom of the Pyramid
Event Date: November 26-28, 2012
Event Location: Washington DC, USA
MICROFINANCE EVENT: Opal Financial Group Offers Family Office and Private Wealth Management Forum West, California, USA, October 24-26, 2012
Event Name: Family Office and Private Wealth Management Forum West; Harvesting the Returns
Event Date: October 24-26, 2012
Event Location: Napa Valley Marriott Hotel and Spa, Napa Valley, California, USA
MICROFINANCE PUBLICATION ROUND-UP: Microfinance Microscope 2012; Impact of Financial Access in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Economic Opportunities and Financial Outcomes of Microfinance
“Global Microscope on the Microfinance Business Environment 2012;” by the Economist Intelligence Unit; published by The Economist; 72 pages; available at: http://www5.iadb.org/mif/en-us/home/knowledge.aspx?idPublication=64206
MICROFINANCE PAPER-WRAP UP: “Emerging Perspectives on Youth Savings;” by Tanaya Kilara and Alexia Latortue; published by CGAP
By Tanaya Kilara and Alexia Latortue; published by CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor); July 2012; 10 pages; available at: http://www.cgap.org/sites/default/files/CGAP-Focus-Note-Emerging-Perspectives-on-Youth-Savings-Aug-2012.pdf