Opinion Archive
Microfinance in the Crosshairs: Will Kyrgyzstan’s Usury Bill Backfire?
Microfinance Focus Europe, 28 October 2013: In a country with little financial regulation and no sovereign credit rating, increasing government directives may soon have negative consequences for Kyrgyzstan's microfinance institutions (MFIs) and their clients. Kyrgyzstan President Almazbek
Regulatory Supervision in Microfinance: Friend or Foe?
Over the past decade, researchers have sought to understand the effects of regulatory supervision on the behavior and efficiency of microfinance institutions (MFIs). The conclusions from these studies sparked numerous debates on the future of the industry.
Conscious Capitalism: Can Microfinance Change Economics?
In last week’s opinion piece, the term “conscious capitalism” was mentioned in passing. However, this term merits further discussion, especially within the context of failing economies and the growth of the microfinance sector. In order to rebuild economies
Social Entrepreneurship Among Borrowers
Within the microfinance industry, the term “Social Entrepreneurship” is frequently discussed, typically within the context of branches of large corporations dedicated to social or environmental issues. However, if we view microfinance and entrepreneurship within the larger context
How Microinsurance Can Improve Healthcare in Europe
Microinsurance has proven to be a useful tool for offering access to healthcare to people in developing countries. But how can microinsurance become an effective part of microfinance projects implemented in European countries? In spite of national
Women at the Center of European Microfinance
As microfinance migrates to the European Union and United States, it will of course look much different compared to the more established microfinance industry in the global south. Even within countries and provinces, microfinance services can vary
Why Entrepreneurship May Be the “Buzzword” of the Decade
By Kate Jenkins It's difficult to ignore the growing discontent in the United States and Europe surrounding the excessive power that big banks and other elite minorities have over the average Joe's political and economic reality. Spain's