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The 2013 Microfinance Barometer: Who will serve the next billion clients?
2.5 billion people lack access to financial services globally. The 2013 Microfinance Barometer contrasts this need with an overview of the institutions currently serving the sector. Based on data from 1,400 institutions reaching 94 million clients, the report shows a diverse, established microfinance sector - and points to the need for more models to bring financial services to the next billion clients.
- Categories
- Education
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A Bank for Banks: Indonesia’s Bank Andara grows micro-businesses and turns a profit
Indonesia has millions of micro-entrepreneurs and thousands of micro-finance institutions. But most lack capital and established systems, and can only provide bare-bones services to small client bases. Enter Bank Andara, a wholesale commercial bank exclusively dedicated to serving the Indonesian micro-finance sector.
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- Uncategorized
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Studies on Mexican microlender shed light on profit, poverty
Mexico's microfinancing bank Compartamos, accused by activists of exploiting poor borrowers with exorbitant interest rates, has generally helped people but could cut the interest it charges without hurting its bottom line, a pair of studies has found.
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- Uncategorized
- Region
- Latin America
- Tags
- microfinance
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Microfinance Banks invest N222bn in Nigerian economy – Association
The National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB) on Saturday in Abuja said its members have invested more than N222 billion into Nigeria’s economy.
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- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- microfinance
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10 Ways to Improve Savings Products for the Ultra-Poor
The poor need access to financial services to create diversified and reliable sources of livelihood, which help them move out of poverty. As an industry, microfinance, however, has found it difficult to reach the very poorest. The Livelihood Pathways for the Poorest project, jointly implemented in Gaya District, Bihar, India by the Grameen Foundation and the Livelihood School, aimed to pilot a program that could fill the wide gap in services to the ultra-poor.
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- Uncategorized
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Paying for Health Emergencies: New research points to practical financial solutions for India’s urban poor
How do Indian families living in urban poverty pay for health care emergencies? A recent Michael & Susan Dell Foundation study of families in five Mumbai slums tries to answer that question. The results point to opportunities for entrepreneurs and established financial service providers to tap this underserved market and have a positive impact on the lives of India’s urban poor.
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- Education, Health Care
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A Microlender Backs Startups to Bring More Than Loans to the Poor
Microlending has lost a lot of its shine in the seven years since Muhammad Yunus won the Nobel Peace Prize for delivering small loans to help poor women start businesses.
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- Uncategorized
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Kiva Makes Microfinancing for Solar Energy Available in Developing Nations
Imagine this: You’re in a developing nation with little access to electricity. In fact, you don’t have access to a grid, or enough electricity to keep a refrigerator and a light on and water filtered in your home.
- Categories
- Energy
- Tags
- microfinance, solar
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