Archive for August, 2009

Jerome Peloquin | Managing Editor-US |Microfinance Focus | I believe the answer is, "NO," not as it is presently structured. Present day MF has only one lending methodology, the installment loan. Although some are trying to find new models, basically the tried and true method of lending money at significant rates and collecting every week is the method of choice for many MFI's. Although the concept of Microfinance has been around for centuries, for most of us the Grameen 1 model of group lending tied to weekly loan payments is the first we heard about it. When Dr. Yunus went into the street took the first step on his way to the Nobel prize several decades later. Since then MF has gone trough quite a few changes. It has moved from a small group of social mission driven NGO's who could not find the funds and resources to keep their doors open, to a global financial sector with billions in assets and major Banks seeking bragging rights as "social investors." Full story

G Muralidhar | Akshara Network for Livelihoods Support We, as a country, have come a long way in meeting the financial needs of the poor. We are witnessing a transformation of micro-finance as a growth industry. More and more women are mobilized into SHGs all over the country. They are further mobilized into higher order federations. Bank linkages are growing rapidly. Some banks have started ... Full story

Background Mobile banking, a symbiosis of technology and financial services, is the hottest area of development in the banking sector and is expected to replace the debit/credit card system in future. ATM and Internet banking have been around in India for a while. While both modes have had some success, penetration and use levels have been moderate. While ATMs offer convenience, they pose a perceived security threat ... Full story

MICRO- FINANCE FOR  SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES : NEED FOR ACTION PLAN Dr   Amrit Patel In recent years India has made rapid strides in providing micro-credit to a very large number of SHGs. While individual members, more importantly, women borrowers, of these SHGs have  been able to eke out a living thriugh taking up & expanding  their traditional economic activities being financed under the Micro-credit programs through ... Full story