'Are you poor enough?' - client selection by microfinance institutions
by Dunford in SED Vol. 11 No. 1) continues. The debate is essentially a healthy one, helping everyone involved in the industry focus on what matters: providing financial services to poor people. This article
argues that MFI programmes should include the 'nonpoor' on the grounds that this more profitable business can crosssubsidize outreach to the poor, and because, without access to any financial services,
vulnerable non-poor people are likely to be reduced to poverty when a crisis arises. Regarding 'the poor', MFIs wishing to service this group should offer savings and other innovative products, since poor
people have few opportunities to utilize Grameen-type credit efficiently. Finally, the very poor or destitute may require relief services before they can use most financial products. The challenge overall
is to design appropriate products, and efficient systems - and in this way both MFIs and their clients will benefit.
- The Judo Trick, or crowding in
- Changes in attitudes toward business and economy in West Africa
- Gender Mainstreaming approaches are often inadequate: they do not maximize women's potential contribution and result in reduced economic growth for all
- The evaluation of microfinance performance in Bolivia
- Fostering economic opportunities for youth in Africa: a comprehensive approach