Recent events in south Asia have led to an unexpected reversal in the narrative of microfinance, long presented as a development success. Despite charges of poor treatment of clients, exaggeration of the impact on the poorest as well as the risks of credit bubbles, the sector can play a non-negligible role in reaching financial services to low-income households. In regulating the sector, there is need for caution in setting interest rate ceilings on micro-loans and for greater openness to micro-savings products.
Links:
[1] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/feature-article/what%E2%80%99s-wrong-and-right-microfinance
[2] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/author/david-hulme
[3] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/author/thankom-arun
[4] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/journal/economic-and-political-weekly
[5] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/finance
[6] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/south-asia
[7] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/india
[8] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/poverty
[9] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/rural-poverty
[10] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/debt
[11] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/development