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Taking Stock
01.03.2003
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Microfinance approaching middle age
01.06.2014
The article describes the performance of agricultural credit programmes during the 1950s–1970s and suggests that they later influenced the microfinance industry. Early features and problems of the microfinance industry are described, followed by a discussion of the challenges currently faced by the industry. The authors argue there is little evidence showing that micro-loans are lifting substantial numbers of people out of poverty, although loans may help take the edge off poverty. The article concludes that more attention should be given to deposits and to lending to small- and medium-sized industries