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Microfinance’s Irresistible Story: Already mythic in scope, the next chapter’s under way as the 17th Microcredit Summit begins
The development of the microfinance sector has followed a story arc that’s almost mythic in scope, including lots of good things and plenty of bad. Now, the sector is trying to write the next chapter – and events at this week’s 17th Microcredit Summit in Mexico will no doubt be included.
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‘The Next Frontier of Financial Services’ (Part 2): Why some m-insurance models have more upside than others, according to BFA’s Jeremy Leach
"The (m-insurance models) that look best are the loyalty and ‘freemium’ models at this stage, primarily because consumers need the market-making capabilities of experiencing their product first, before they are willing to pay for it," says Jeremy Leach of BFA, in the second of a two-part series on microinsurance. He explores the risks and benefits of m-insurance in this Q&A.
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- Technology
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Microfinance in Jordan isn’t helping to empower women
Foreign donors need to reconsider how their money is being used, as profits are taking precedence over sustainability
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- Region
- North Africa & Near East
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Has microfinance lost its moral compass?
The industry that provides financial services for people on low-incomes and without access to traditional banking services is morally reprehensible according to new research from The University of Manchester.
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4 tips to implementing effective and efficient microfinance programs
Despite being in place for more than 20 years, microfinance has yet to achieve its full potential, some experts suggest.
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Can crowdfunding help finance the ‘missing middle?’
What does a social business do when they don’t have a rich uncle to help them go from microenterprise to a small- or medium-sized enterprises? The answer may be crowdfunding.
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- Uncategorized
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- crowdfunding, microfinance
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India’s MFIs shift focus to urban areas
Microfinance institutions (MFIs), which evolved as precursors of the rural thrift credit market in India, are now shifting to urban areas, with big slums in cities turning out to be cost-effective markets over small villages in far-flung locations.
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- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
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- microfinance
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Y Combinator Nonprofit Zidisha Changes Microfinance Equation
The nonprofit says it has figured out a way of getting a 90% repayment rate on business loans to the types of people no financial institution would trust–young people in poor African countries without as much as a permanent address.
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- Uncategorized
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- lending, microfinance
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