Research & Analysis

External Audits of Microfinance Institutions, Vol 2

This is volume 2 of External Audits of Microfinance Institutions. It is for external auditors.

External Audits of Microfinance Institutions: Annexes

These are the annexes to Technical Tool 3, External Audits of Microfinance Institutions.

External Audits of Microfinance Institutions, Vol 1

Volume 1 of External Audits of Microfinance Institutions for clients of MFI external audits: boards of directors and managers of MFIs, donors, creditors, and investors.

The Consultative Group to Assist the Poorest: A Microfinance Program

Microfinance is defined as the provision of credit, savings, and financial services to very poor people. Providing these services to very poor households creates opportunities for the poor to create, own, and accumulate assets and to smooth consumption.

Savings Mobilization Strategies: Lessons from Four Experiences

Around the world, poor households save in various forms and for various purposes. Although empirical evidence suggests that the poor would deposit if appropriate financial institutions and savings facilities were available, little progress has been made to establish microfinance institutions (MFIs) as full-fledged financial intermediaries.

Commercial Banks in Microfinance: New Actors in the Microfinance World

Now commercial banks in developing countries have begun to see microfinance not only as a valuable public relations tool but a profitable venture and are beginning to examine the micro-finance market.

Cost Allocation for Multi-Service Microfinance Institutions

Using examples from the field and an actual microfinance institution (MFI) -- BRAC -- this Occasional Paper explores alternative answers to a series of questions that MFI managers should ask themselves regarding the allocation of costs and assets among cost centers and the impact of cost allocation on the financial statements of multiservice MFIs.

How CGAP Member Donors Fund Microfinance Institutions

This Focus Note emanated from CGAP’s Secretariat fielding the same questions from numerous microfinance practitioners worldwide: “How do the Member Donors of CGAP fund microfinance institutions?

State-Owned Development Banks in Microfinance

The vast majority of successful MFIs are private, nongovernment entities that run on sound business principles.

Anatomy of a Microfinance Deal

What is the best way to support a microfinance institution (MFI) that has a track record of extending quality financial services to significant numbers of poor people on a progressively financially sustainable basis?