''Market failures in rural finance, and related issues of adverse selection, moral hazard, and transaction costs justify targeted interventions to ensure that services reach the poor and the un-banked sustainably. However, while there is general consensus on the 'components' that should go into the computation of interest rate to be charged by a micro-credit service provider (particularly those aiming to achieve the 'double-bottom-line' objective), the 'level' under each component is left to be more...

Poor women are being drawn into commercial economic activities for the first time, enabling them to take advantage of new opportunities. The microfinance revolution started among rural women in Bangladesh in the 1970s. The revolution had its roots in the recognition that poor people needed credit and, more importantly, that they could use loans productively and responsibly. It showed that we were wrong in believing that poverty and a lack of collateral meant that poor people were not creditworth more...

"Commercial interests are big on microfinance. But the public sector still has a role to play." "In the three decades since Muhammed Yunus gave his first $27 loans to women in Chittagong, Bangladesh, the microfinance industry has come a long way. What began as a collection of individual non-governmental organizations funded by development donors has become a professional business offering not just credit, but a full range of banking services to poor people." By Elizabeth Littlefield. Forbes.com more...

Dr. Warner Woodworth, Brigham Young University. "Ever dreamed of changing the world? This handout summarizes some of the civil society work we have been doing over the past 15 years at BYU as students and faculty to design courses, apply concepts, develop action models, and offer pro bono consulting to fight poverty and address social problems. Hopefully they will suggest applications for attendees from other universities and academic settings. These efforts grow out of the projects we have des more...

Microentrepreneurs have long provided essential services to the poor. Now, large companies and multinationals are getting into the business. From Microenterprise Americas magazine, Fall 2007 . By Paul Constance. Source: IADB

State intervention in microfinance could bring resources and services to millions of poor people and improve the industry's institutional framework — or deliver a knockout punch to private MFIs.By Peter Bate From Microenterprise Americas magazine, Fall 2007. Source: IADB

In 1990, Compartamos fue fundada para brindar oportunidades y ofrecer creditos como un medio para lograr que los micro negocios crezcan y contribuyan con el desarrollo de Mexico. A través de su historia, Compartamos ha obtenido resultados con una clara tendencia hacia el crecimiento sostenido, la calidad de sus activos, y rentabilidad.

Mibanco promueve el desarrollo economico de la mayoria de la poblacion de bajos recursos en Peru, brindandoles creditos de alta calidad y otros servicios financieros para microempresarios. Fuente: ACCION

"Somos una organización ecuatoriana enfocada a reducir la pobreza, a través de satisfacer las necesidades de los segmentos de mercado que enfrentan barreras para acceder al sistema financiero tradicional, con productos y servicios financieros de calidad e innovadores, que generan lealtad de nuestros clientes.
Retribuimos, con rentabilidad financiera, social y ambiental, la confianza de nuestros depositantes, inversionistas, accionistas y colaboradores, a través de la gestión competitiva de more...

Banco Solidario is a commercial bank dedicated to providing financial services to the microenterprise sector. By addressing Ecuador's economic development with creative financial products and services, Banco Solidario is meeting the needs of microentrepreneurs previously unable to access the formal financial system. The bank is committed to protecting both its shareholders' capital and the savings entrusted to it by its clients.