This paper starts from the observation that 23% of the world's microfinance institutions (MFIs) manage without subsidies. We examine how unsubsidized institutions cope with their social mission. Overall, the lack of subsidies worsens social performances. However, our results show that strategies to achieve financial self-sufficiency differ substantially across regions. African and Asian MFIs compensate for non-subsidization by charging higher interest rates. In Eastern Europe and Central Asia, unsubsidized MFIs find it more suitable to target less poor clients. Unsubsidized Latin American MFIs tend to reduce their share of female borrowers. ; info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished
This paper is organized as follows: this introduction is followed by a primer on the industry and on the evolution of the microfinance sector. The authors then examine the structure of the microfinance industry, (a) NGOs, cooperatives and credit unions, and commercialized vehicles; how they differ and why corporate governance differs according to the nature of the MFI; and (b) large networks, investment and bank-holding groups, and social services/faith-based groups. The authors then consider how corporate governance evolves and develops in MFIs as their structure and ownership changes. This is followed by an examination of the recurring issues and growing risks in the microfinance industry. The authors conclude with a look at the responses of governments, investors, and the industry itself to these issues and risks and propose some next steps.
Purpose – This paper aims to determine the influence of governance mechanisms on sustainability and outreach of microfinance institutions (MFIs). Corporate governance has been identified as a key bottleneck in strengthening MFIs' sustainability (financial performance) and increasing their outreach (social impact).
Design/methodology/approach – First, a literature study to give insight in the microfinance sector is provided. Subsequently, the data research has been performed based on the statistics of one of the funds of a Dutch independent investment manager, which is focused on responsible investments in developing countries. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between governance mechanisms and the respective dependent variables.
Findings – The results show that boards of a MFI with insiders (for example, employees) are a significant predictor of sustainability. Regulation impacts sustainability significantly in a negative way. Overall, the study shows that only a limited number of variables influence the sustainability and outreach of an MFI.
Research limitations/implications – The limitation of the studied investment fund is that it invests in expanding and mature MFI's. So the results of this research can only be generalized to expanding and mature MFI's.
Practical implications – The governance mechanisms that are recommended in the industry guidelines and which are studied here are often not relevant in respect to sustainability and outreach of MFIs. The approach to microfinance governance should be broadened by focusing more on stakeholders and the decision making process in an MFI.
Social implications – Good governance is key for the microfinance institutions and even more complicated than for regular companies that do not have a double bottom line (sustainability and outreach). to be successful in the future, and for clients to reach the best end result, it is essential that the governance mechanisms that influence the bottom line are determined.
Originality/value – Not much research has been done with respect to the governance mechanisms, which have impact on the sustainability and outreach of MFIs.
This paper sheds light on a poorly understood phenomenon in microfinance which is often referred to as a "mission drift": A tendency reviewed by numerous microfinance institutions to extend larger average loan sizes in the process of scaling–up. We argue that this phenomenon is not driven by transaction cost minimization alone. Instead, poverty–oriented microfinance institutions could potentially deviate from their mission by extending larger loan sizes neither because of "progressive lending" nor because of "cross–subsidization" but because of the interplay between their own mission, the cost differentials between poor and unbanked wealthier clients, and region-specific characteristics pertaining the heterogeneity of their clientele. In a simple one-period framework we pin-down the conditions under which mission drift can emerge. Our framework shows that there is a thin line between mission drift and cross-subsidization, which in turn makes it difficult for empirical researchers to establish whether a microfinance institution has deviated from its poverty-reduction mission. This paper also suggests that institutions operating in regions which host a relatively small number of very poor individuals might be misleadingly perceived as deviating from their mission. Because existing empirical studies cannot tear apart between mission drift and cross-subsidization, these studies should not guide donors and socially responsible investors pertaining resource allocation across institutions offering financial services to the poor. The difficulty in tearing apart cross-subsidization and mission drift is discussed in light of the contrasting experiences between microfinance institutions operating in Latin America and South Asia. ; info:eu-repo/semantics/published
ABSTRACT: This article empirically analyses the reasons for crises in microfinance institutions (MFIs), using a sample of 832 MFIs from 74 countries for the period 2003-2011. The methodology used is logit analysis with panel data. The main results show that both internal and external factors influence the probability of a crisis. We find different factors that reduce the likelihood of a crisis (company's performance, country's economic growth, political stability and existence of a private credit bureau). On the other hand, excessive liquidity, a higher proportion of deposits over loans and more loans per employee all increase the probability of a crisis.
Eradication of poverty is a big problem in the world and many countries are doing their possible best to get rid of it. Ghana is one of these countries. Microfinance, which deals with the provision finance to the poor, has become an important tool to eradicate poverty. How these microfinance institutions can sustain their business has become a big problem in Ghana since many of these institutions have collapsed recently. The need to search for factors affecting the sustainability of these institutions has arisen and that is what this research is looking up to. This research is searching for factors that influence the sustainability of microfinance institutions in Ghana. Due to the nature of this research, descriptive research was the appropriate research design to use. Purposive sampling was used for the selection of the managers (respondents) of the various microfinance institutions. The research found that several institutions struggled with high default rates and also charged high interest rates. Bank of Ghana which is the central bank of the country, has set rules and guidelines which regulate the establishment and the management of the microfinance institutions. Bank of Ghana has increase the minimum capital requirements (startup capital) of these microfinance institutions which has a negative influence on their sustainability. The introduction of financial technology in Ghana's financial sector has an influence on the sustainability of microfinance institutions. Financial technology such as mobile money has a positive influence on microfinance institutions in Ghana since these institutions has taken advantage of this technology to increase their profit margin. ; M-ECON
