What do randomized control trials (RCTs) tell us about the impact of microfinance? This article reports on presentations at a three-day conference in New York in October 2010, ‘Microfinance Impact and Innovation Conference’, which provided evidence from RCTs on the impact of micro-insurance, asset-transfer programmes, savings and other aspects of microfinance. The article also raises questions about control over research into microfinance impact and innovation, and how far findings can be generalized.

Many of the presentations described can be downloaded from http://povertyaction.org/microfinanceimpact2010 http://povertyaction.org/microfinanceimpact2010

Appadurai, A. (2004) ‘The capacity to aspire: Culture and the terms of recognition’, in V. Rao and M. Walton (eds), Culture and Public Action, Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA.

Collins, D., Morduch, J., Rutherford, S. and Ruthven, O. (2009) Portfolios of the Poor: How the World's Poor Live on $2 a Day, Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.

Karlan, D., Goldberg, N. and Copestake, J. (2009) ‘Crossfire: Are randomized controls the best way to measure impact of microfinance programmes and improve product designs?’ Enterprise Development and Microfinance 20:3, pp. 167-87.

Schicks, J. (2010) Microfinance Over-indebtedness: Understanding its Drivers and Challenging Common Myths, Working Paper No.10/048, Centre Emile Bernheim, Brussels.

Many of the presentations described can be downloaded from http://povertyaction.org/microfinanceimpact2010 http://povertyaction.org/microfinanceimpact2010

Appadurai, A. (2004) ‘The capacity to aspire: Culture and the terms of recognition’, in V. Rao and M. Walton (eds), Culture and Public Action, Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA.

Collins, D., Morduch, J., Rutherford, S. and Ruthven, O. (2009) Portfolios of the Poor: How the World's Poor Live on $2 a Day, Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.

Karlan, D., Goldberg, N. and Copestake, J. (2009) ‘Crossfire: Are randomized controls the best way to measure impact of microfinance programmes and improve product designs?’ Enterprise Development and Microfinance 20:3, pp. 167-87.

Schicks, J. (2010) Microfinance Over-indebtedness: Understanding its Drivers and Challenging Common Myths, Working Paper No.10/048, Centre Emile Bernheim, Brussels.

Many of the presentations described can be downloaded from http://povertyaction.org/microfinanceimpact2010 http://povertyaction.org/microfinanceimpact2010

Appadurai, A. (2004) ‘The capacity to aspire: Culture and the terms of recognition’, in V. Rao and M. Walton (eds), Culture and Public Action, Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA.

Collins, D., Morduch, J., Rutherford, S. and Ruthven, O. (2009) Portfolios of the Poor: How the World's Poor Live on $2 a Day, Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.

Karlan, D., Goldberg, N. and Copestake, J. (2009) ‘Crossfire: Are randomized controls the best way to measure impact of microfinance programmes and improve product designs?’ Enterprise Development and Microfinance 20:3, pp. 167-87.

Schicks, J. (2010) Microfinance Over-indebtedness: Understanding its Drivers and Challenging Common Myths, Working Paper No.10/048, Centre Emile Bernheim, Brussels.

Many of the presentations described can be downloaded from http://povertyaction.org/microfinanceimpact2010 http://povertyaction.org/microfinanceimpact2010

Appadurai, A. (2004) ‘The capacity to aspire: Culture and the terms of recognition’, in V. Rao and M. Walton (eds), Culture and Public Action, Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA.

Collins, D., Morduch, J., Rutherford, S. and Ruthven, O. (2009) Portfolios of the Poor: How the World's Poor Live on $2 a Day, Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.

Karlan, D., Goldberg, N. and Copestake, J. (2009) ‘Crossfire: Are randomized controls the best way to measure impact of microfinance programmes and improve product designs?’ Enterprise Development and Microfinance 20:3, pp. 167-87.

Schicks, J. (2010) Microfinance Over-indebtedness: Understanding its Drivers and Challenging Common Myths, Working Paper No.10/048, Centre Emile Bernheim, Brussels.