Archive for the ‘Featured News’ Category

By Jesselyn Ng, Microfinance Focus, April 21, 2010: Microfinance Institutions Network (MFIN) is a self-regulated network organization created by 35 NBFC –Microfinance institutions in India, who share the common interest of protecting and building the integrity of the sector. This was in response to the attack that the sector has been subjected to regarding several controversies such as multiple lending and lack of transparency by ... Full story

By Souren Ghosal, Microfinance Focus, April 20, 2010 : In recent years there is sudden spurt of growth could be observed in microfinance institutions. These could be largely attributed to increasing stress given for inclusive growth and apparent success perceived in microfinance institutions to outreach poor on a sustainable business model.  So much so the pioneer of MFI Prof. Yunus gave a call to youths ... Full story

By Vikash Kumar, Microfinance Focus, April 15, 2010 : Dr. Muhammad Yunus, microfinance pioneer and Nobel laureate shares his views on the recent developments in microfinance and discuss some of the critical issues in an exclusive interview with Microfinance Focus`s  Editor in Chief Vikash Kumar on the sidelines of regional microcredit summit organized at KICC ... Full story

Microfinance Focus, April 8, 2010 (Nairobi/Kenya): Microfinance pioneer and Nobel Laureate, Dr. Muhammad Yunus has raised several concerns over SKS Initial public offerings in an exclusive interview with Microfinance Focus on the sidelines of Regional Microcredit summit at Nairobi (Kenya). SKS is an India based fastest growing NBFC- Microfinance in the world. SKS ... Full story

By Vikash Kumar Microfinance Focus , April 2, 2010 : Mr. Vijay Mahajan , President , Microfinance Institutions Network (MFIN), a self-regulatory organization (SRO) of 35 Indian NBFC – Microfinance Institutions, share the activities and functions of MFIN , enforcement  process of code of conduct , vision and road map in an exclusive interview ... Full story

By Matthew Fuchs, Microfinance Focus, April 1, 2010 : After a challenging year, 2010 has began on an optimistic note for microfinance investors. Some fund managers have declared that the recovery has begun, albeit a gradual one. For example, Dr. Armand Vardanyan, Fund Manager of the Dual Return Vision Microfinance Fund, has stated that MFIs are recovering, despite some isolated incidents, with an improving outlook ... Full story

By Nazakat Hussain Microfinance Focus, April 01, 2010 : Microfinance is a simple yet effectual tool employed to combat poverty whilst raising the standard of living. It has over the years shown a lot of promise as far as poverty alleviation and women empowerment is concerned. Experts are hopeful that microfinance will assume a greater ... Full story

By Bernadette Grosheny Microfinance Focus, March 30, 2010: For over 30 years, U.S. commercial banks subject to CRA (Community Reinvestment Act) have innovated in terms of products, systems and methods in order to produce more than 1400 billion dollars in investments and loans to businesses and individuals poorly covered by the traditional banking market . They have done this cost effectively, without generating excessive subprime and ... Full story

Microfinance Focus, March 17, 2010: Welcoming the audience, Ms. Jayshree Vyas, Chairperson, Sa-Dhan, congratulated the members in the gathering, at the SA-DHAN -FICCI organized two days conference “FINANCIAL INCLUSION AND RESPONSIBLE MICROFINANCE” at ASHOKA HOTEL, NEW DELHI. She drew attention to the heterogeneous group of people - particularly from the minorities, SC, ... Full story

By Arvind Ashta "How to bring financial services to the unbanked? An account of the Microfinance and New Technology summit in Marrakech, March 11-12, 2010" Microfinance Focus , March 17, 2010 : After the first Microfinance and New Technology summit in New Delhi, PlaNet Finance organized the second Microfinance and New Technology Summit in Marrakech, Morocco on March 11th and 12th, 2010. Morocco is one of ... Full story

By Denise Hughes, Microfinance Focus, March 12, 2010: Fearless and focused tenacity are the key character traits of Sam Daley-Harris, Director of the Microcredit Summit Campaign.  He is the man behind a movement.  I first met him in 1999 when I was interested in working for the Microcredit Summit.  He interviewed me for the position of Communications Director and it was trial by fire.  There ... Full story

By Asma Azmi Microfinance Focus, March 3, 2010: The Microfinance Focus group on LinkedIn has spurred a thought-provoking debate on whether the interest rates charged by MFIs are reasonable by any sense or not. Initiated by Dr. Souren Ghosal, an independent banking professional, the debaters came up ... Full story

Microfinance Focus , March 02, 2010 : A joint paper issued by CGAP and JP Morgan shows that the microfinance private equity market continued to boom in 2009 – particularly in India – in stark contrast to what the report describes as the most difficult year for microfinance since the Asian financial crisis in the 90s. ... Full story

Microfinance Focus, Feb 28, 2010: “Recent repayment troubles in four rapidly-growing microfinance markets do not stem from the financial crisis but from the way that microfinance operates in fast-growth markets" said the report  “Growth and Vulnerabilities in Microfinance” released by CGAP (The Consultative Group to Assist the Poor), a microfinance research and information group based at the World Bank. ... Full story