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Muhammad Yunus: No reason for Grameen Bank operations in India
"In the mean time I suggested (them) to give limited banking license to successful MFIs (microfinance institutions) so that they can take deposits to become financially self- reliant, and expand their operation at a faster speed," he says.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
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Tanzania: Government Unveils 10-Year National Microfinance Plan
The Vice-President noted the implementation of the National Microfinance Policy would enable the low income population which was excluded from financial services to begin benefiting from the services.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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When Failure is Hard to Recognize: Facing Hard Truths about Microfinance
After decades of faith in the ability of tiny loans to transform people’s lives, quantitative research has revealed that microfinance rarely lives up to the hype. But in spite of their lackluster impact, microfinance projects have persisted – the question is, why? After seven years of observing various actors throughout the microfinance value chain, Erin Beck, an assistant professor at the University of Oregon, has an answer. She discusses how policymakers, MFI leaders, employees and even customers contribute to microfinance’s persistence.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment
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Report: Recovery Lending Program Prevents Thousands of African Families from Falling into Extreme Poverty after Climate Shocks
A report released by DFID, World Vision UK and VisionFund International has revealed that an innovative market-based approach was central in building resilience to the El Nino climate shock that impacted East Africa throughout 2016 and early 2017. These findings are critical as climate change continues to impact the world’s most vulnerable communities.
- Categories
- Environment, Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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The untold story behind IndusInd Bank-Bharat Financial merger
Bharat Financial’s earlier avatar SKS’s quest to become a bank started in right earnest from the day it realized that once small finance banks are in place, it would be difficult to successfully run the microfinance business.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- South Asia
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Good Intentions Are Not Enough: How Microfinance Can Truly Serve Low-Income Women Entrepreneurs
Smaller businesses require smaller loans, which are generally less practical or profitable for financial institutions. Group lending solves these issues for institutions – but it’s not always ideal for customers, who often prefer an individual loan. With support from MetLife Foundation grantee Women’s World Banking, Egypt’s Lead Foundation set out to design and deliver this type of product – specifically to low-income women entrepreneurs.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
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How the World’s First Social Sustainability Bond is Connecting Back Streets to Wall Street
The Women’s Livelihood Bond (WLB) is the world’s first social sustainability bond with a dual focus on social and financial returns to be listed on a stock exchange. This represents "an immense achievement for impact investing," says Rakhi Sahay, head of Knowledge Management at Impact Investment Exchange. The WLB gives the Cambodian woman entrepreneur, the Filipino farmer, and the Vietnamese mother access to capital by providing loans to high-impact enterprises and microfinance institutions.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment, Investing
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IndusInd Bank announces takeover of micro finance lender Bharat Financial
Chairman of the bank, R. Seshasayee, said the two boards met independently this morning and decided to go ahead.
It would help develop reach and would be a strong partnership. The two institutions had worked together for many years and were, therefore, comfortable with each other's people and culture, he said.- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- South Asia
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