scholarly journals Microfinance Complementarity and Trade-Off between Financial Performance and Social Impact

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trong V. Ngo
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Economies Of Scale ◽  
Generalized Method Of Moments ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Trade Offs

There is a widespread belief that providing access to financial services (microfinance) or reaching the poor with microcredit are perfect solutions to establish a sustainable economy or to help kick-start a bottom-up recovery and social development animated by the poor themselves through self-employment and microenterprises. Microfinance has therefore become an important instrument for poverty alleviation and for improving the welfare of the poor in both developing and transition economies. Due to the difficulty of targeting the poor, who have a lack of collateral, microfinance institutions (MFIs) are called on to achieve a balance between social impact (poverty reduction) and positive financial performance. This paper assumes that the financial objectives of MFIs operate in opposition to each other and that a trade-off is inevitable. Unbalanced panel data of MFIs for the period 1995-2013 has been extracted from the MIX Market website. In order to solve the endogeneity problem, this paper employed the dynamic system GMM (generalized method of moments) of Blundell and Bond (1998) that is considered as the new methodology currently in use in the empirical investigation of the financial performance in banking and finance. This paper outlines some of the parameters that affect the nature of trade-offs and complementarities between social and financial objectives in microfinance performance, and provides empirical evidence from cross-country analysis. Sustainability has a positive link with outreach. MFIs tend to expand their outreach in order to achieve sustainability, based on the advantages of the economies of scale. However, a threshold which makes the trade-offs or complementarities between financial and social objectives reverse if it goes beyond a certain point is also observed.

Pros and Cons of Integrating Non-Financial Services in Microfinance

2018 ◽  
pp. 171-199
Author(s):  
Nhung Thi Hong Vu
Keyword(s):  
Social Services ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Need Support ◽  
Microfinance Institution ◽  
Pros And Cons

Microfinance as argued in recent literature is not a panacea for poverty reduction as it was expected. The poor may need support from various ranges of non-financial services including business development services and social services alongside microfinance services. The main aim of this chapter is to provide policymakers and practitioners some discussions on the pros and cons of integrating non-financial services together with microfinance services. This chapter proposes a framework of both positive and negative effects of providing non-financial services on microfinance institutions and clients. A case study of offering non-financial services in a microfinance institution in Vietnam provides both quantitative and qualitative evidence of effects on the microfinance institution and its clients.

Islamic and Conventional Micro-Financing in the MENA Region

2020 ◽  
pp. 216-239
Author(s):  
Imene Berguiga ◽  
Yosra Ben Said ◽  
Philippe Adair
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Social Performance ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
The Social ◽  
Conventional Services

The performance of MicroFinance Institutions (MFIs) is analysed for the period 2004-2015. Sample consists of 67 MFIs in the Middle East and North Africa region. It includes a subsample of 18 Islamic MFIs (IMFIs), whereof Solebusiness grants exclusively Islamic financial services and Window provides both Islamic and conventional services. A model of simultaneous equations with interacting variables tests seven hypotheses addressing financial performance, social performance, and the social and financial performance relationship. Conventional MFIs (CMFIs) experience higher financial performance than IMFIs and Window experiences higher financial performance than Solebusiness; IMFIs do not experience higher social performance than CMFIs; whether conventional or Islamic, MFIs face a financial vs. social performance trade-off.

scholarly journals Effect of Regulation on Outreach of Microfinance Institutions in Ghana

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joyce Ama Quartey ◽  
Bernice Kotey
Keyword(s):  
Central Bank ◽  
Research Design ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
The Poor ◽  
The Government

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) play an important role in enhancing the growth potential of small businesses. However, while regulation ensures that MFIs are financially sustainable, compliance compels them to make large-sized loans to wealthy clients in order to reduce the risk of lending and minimize administrative costs, a situation that compromises their main goal of reaching out to the poor. The study therefore, examined the effect of regulation on breadth and depth of outreach by microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Ghana. The purpose of the study is to find out whether regulation has enabled MFIs to increase their outreach (breadth and depth) thereby improving their sustainability. A mixed methods research design was employed, involving initial hypotheses testing with 31 self-regulated and 24 Central bank-regulated MFIs. The findings were then triangulated with a qualitative research design involving 13 Central bank-regulated and 20 self-regulated MFIs. The results showed that regulations increased the client base of MFIs but reduced the percentage of poor clients served, largely women. It is recommended that the government set up a fund for poor clients to be accessed by well-performing MFIs for provision of financial services to the poor to assist in poverty reduction.

scholarly journals Determinants of microfinance outreach in Sub-Saharan Africa: A panel approach

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulai Adams ◽  
Devi D. Tewarib
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Access To Credit ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Institutional Determinants ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Sub Saharan

Orientation: The study focused on analysing the outreach performance of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in providing critical services for the poor using innovative lending techniques within constrained environments. Research purpose: The study examined the trade-off relations between the depth and the breadth of outreach and identified institutional level factors that influence MFIs outreach in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Motivation for the study: MFIs continue to play critical roles in extending financial services to the poor and yet previous studies have not analysed comprehensively the dimensions of outreach necessary for financial inclusion. Research design, approach and methods: The study employed correlation analysis and random effects methodology to panel data regression analysis (619 observations, 71 MFIs across 10 countries) to establish the trade-off relations and the determinants of outreach in SSA. Main findings: It was established that a trade-off exists between the depth of outreach (access to credit disbursement by poor clients) and breadth of outreach (number of clients served). The results further revealed that gross loan portfolio, portfolio at risk, borrower per staff member, interest rate, and operating expenses to assets ratio are the main institutional determinants of MFIs outreach in SSA. Practical/managerial implications: The policy implication is that MFIs that concentrate efforts in reaching the relatively poor do so at the expense of reaching a large number of poor clients. We suggest that effective monitoring of depth and breadth and the adoption and implementation of cost-saving outreach technologies by MFIs could enable them to operate sustainably and efficiently. Contribution/value added: A major contribution of the study is the trade-off relations revealed between the depth of outreach and the breadth of outreach of MFIs which advances the outreach literature.

scholarly journals Profiting from Poverty? A Case Study of UK based Microfinance Institutions

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nitin Navin
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Social Performance ◽  
Financial Sustainability ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
External Capital

The success of the microfinance movement is beyond doubt. However, as the scope of the sector increased and commercialised, some problems of it became evident. Issue of profitability and sustainability of Microfinance institutions (MFIs) and, use of external capital by them are the two most debatable issues of the microfinance sector. The current study investigates these issues by targeting MFIs and consultants of microfinance sector located in UK. These MFIs and consultants have operations in different poor and developing countries. The study found that believing that MFIs can alone eliminate poverty is a fallacy. Any such belief by the policymakers will make further delay in eradicating poverty. The study also found that financial sustainability of microfinance seems to remain unachievable for most of the MFIs and, that there are fair chances of having trade-off between financial performance and social performance for those MFIs. On this line of thought, the study concludes by arguing that microfinance cannot be treated only as a substitute of the traditional financial services.

Adopting Islamic microfinance as a mechanism of financing small and medium enterprises in Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ssemambo Hussein Kakembo ◽  
Muhamad Abduh ◽  
Pg Md Hasnol Alwee Pg Hj Md Salleh
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
Alternative Scheme ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Islamic Microfinance ◽  
Financial Challenges ◽  
Medium Enterprises

PurposeDespite the fact that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in strengthening the financial sector within developing and emerging economies through providing employment opportunities to the rural and urban population, capacity building in the form of skills training and economic empowerment, they still face a plethora of challenges that continue to threaten their existence, performance and growth. Access to operational and administrative funds needed to execute their activities effectively is a significant challenge and detrimental to the growth of SMEs in Uganda. Conversely, Islamic microfinance has been noted as a panacea to the challenges of financial inaccessibility among SMEs, especially in developing countries. The purpose of this paper is therefore to investigate how the adoption of Islamic microfinance can play a fundamental role in enhancing the sustainability of microfinance institutions (MFIs) while meeting the financing challenges of SMEs in Uganda.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, a review of existing literature was carried out to critically examine relevant information (literature sources) and empirical studies on SMEs, their performance and challenges. The study being conceptual tries to understand how Islamic microfinance could be adopted as an alternative scheme of financing to bridge the gap and mitigate the financial challenges facing SMEs.FindingsThe study finds that the existing MFIs have failed to achieve their objectives of providing financial services to the poor and SMEs while remaining sustainable. This has left the majority of SMEs within Uganda's informal sector financially handicapped, thus leading to their failure in meeting their expectations and eventually collapsing even before celebrating their third or fourth birthdays. However, the enactment into law of the Financial Institutions Amendment Act 2016 that paved the way for the introduction of Islamic finance in Uganda, and the Tier 4 Microfinance Institutions and Money Lenders' Act, 2016 that incorporated the aspects of Islamic microfinance within the existing microfinance framework as seen and is perceived as a key factor in addressing the financial challenges faced by MFIs and the SMEs if fully adopted.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is conceptual with no empirical investigation and discussion of key theories. On the contrary, it will be imperative and useful when carrying out more extensive hypothetical studies by future researchers, specifically in the area of Islamic microfinance that is relatively new in Uganda.Practical implicationsPractically, this paper will serve as a guide to policymakers and practitioners in the field of microfinance by adding a flair that could enable in bridging the challenges associated with inadequate financing of SMEs in Uganda.Social implicationsSocially, the social aspects of charity (Zakah and Sadaqah) will help to improve the livelihood of the poorest of the poor who cannot engage in active business through meeting their basic needs of life without begging thereby preventing them from being social outcasts.Originality/valueThe study establishes Islamic microfinance (IMF) as a promising and unexplored viable option potentially needed in intensifying the financing needs of SMEs in Uganda. The paper provides an entirely new dimension in nature and way microfinance products should be structured with a view of ensuring that there is sustainable provision of financial services to SMEs. The paper adds real value to the existing conventional microfinance products and services in Uganda, given the ethical and moral attributes of Islamic microfinancing practices that are assumed to efficiently and effectively motivate SME owners and other small entrepreneurs to thrive.

Financial Inclusion in India

2016 ◽  
pp. 95-104
Author(s):  
Rohit Bhattacharya
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Working Paper ◽  
Road Map ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Financial Exclusion ◽  
The World

The concept of Financial Inclusion is not a new one. It has become a catchphrase now and has attracted the global attention in the recent past. Lack of accessible, affordable and appropriate financial services has always been a global problem. It is estimated that about 2.9 billion people around the world do not have access to formal sources of banking and financial services. India is said to live in its villages, a convincing statement, considering that nearly 72% of our population lives there. However, a significant proportion of our 650,000 odd villages does not have a single bank branch to boast of, leaving swathes of the rural population in financial exclusion. RBI has reported that the financial exclusion in India leads to the loss of GDP to the extent of one per cent (RBI, Working Paper Series (DEPR): 8/2011). Financially excluded people, consistently, depend on money lenders even for their day to day needs, borrowing at excessive rates to finally get caught in a debt trap. In addition, people in far-off villages are completely unaware of financial products like insurance, which could protect them in adverse situation. Therefore, financial inclusion is a big necessity for our country as a large chunk of the world's poor resides here. Access to finance by the poor and vulnerable groups is a prerequisite for poverty reduction and social cohesion. Present paper is an attempt to highlight the present efforts of financial inclusion in India its future road map, its challenges etc.

Farmers' preferences and willingness to pay for microcredit in Benin: results from in-the-field choice experiments in Benin

2020 ◽  
Vol 80 (5) ◽  
pp. 665-692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tchekpo Fortune Ogouvide ◽  
Ygue Patrice Adegbola ◽  
Roch Cedrique Zossou ◽  
Afio Zannou ◽  
Gauthier Biaou
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Interest Rates ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
Choice Modelling ◽  
Attribute Importance ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThis document analyses farmers' preferences and willingness to pay (CAP) for microcredit, in order to facilitate their access in rural areas.Design/methodology/approachData are based on a discrete choice experiment with 400 randomly selected farmers from 20 villages of the 7 Benin agricultural development hubs (ADHs). The preference choice modelling was performed using mixed logit (MXL) and latent class logit (LCL) models. Farmers' willingness to pay for each preferred attribute was estimated. The endogenous attribute attendance (EAA) model was also used to capture attribute non-attendance (ANA) phenomenon.FindingsThe results indicate that, on average, farmers prefer individual loans, low interest rates, in kind + cash loans, cash loans, disbursement before planting and loans with at least 10-month duration. These preferences vary according to farmers' classes. Farmers are willing to pay higher or lower interest rates depending on attribute importance. The estimate of the EAA model indicates that, when taking the ANA phenomenon into consideration, people will show stronger attitudes regarding WTP for important factors.Research limitations/implicationsBased on these results from Benin, microfinance institutions (MFIs) in developing countries can, based on the interest rates currently charged, attract more farmers as customers, reviewing the combination of the levels of the attributes associated with the nature of the loan, the type of loan (individual or collective), the disbursement period of funds, the waiting period of the loan and the loan duration. However, the study only considered production credit, ignoring equipment or investment credit.Practical implicationsThe document provides information on the key factors that can facilitate producers' access to MFI products and services.Social implicationsFacilitating small farmers' access to financial service will contribute to poverty reduction.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the knowledge of the attributes and attribute levels favoured by farmers when choosing financial products and the amounts they agree to pay for these attributes. The implementation of the results would facilitate small producers' access to financial services; thus contributing to poverty reduction.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Impact of Microfinance for Women in Albania

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 233
Author(s):  
Oltiana Muharremi ◽  
Filloreta Madani ◽  
Erald Pelari
Keyword(s):  
Social Influence ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Poverty Alleviation ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Social Value ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
The Poor ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Micro Enterprises

<p class="Default"><em>Microfinance is defined as any activity involving the offering of financial services such as loans, savings and insurance to individuals with low income.</em><em> </em><em>Creating social value includes reducing poverty and having a better impact to improve living conditions through capital for micro-enterprises; insurance and savings deposits for reducing risk and boosting consumption. Worldwide microfinance actors promote access to basic financial services by developing new tools, a variety of products and the adoption of an integrated banking access.</em></p><p class="Default"><em>Initially, microfinance was largely gender neutral: it sought to provide credit to the poor who had no assets to pledge as collateral. It quickly emerged, however, that women invested their business profits in ways that would have a longer-lasting impact on their families and communities. Consequently women became fundamental to the success of the microfinance model as a poverty alleviation tool. The purpose of this article is to examine the impact of microfinance loans in improving the lives of women borrowers, as well as in strengthening their social influence and the microcredit impact in promoting savings. This study is based on an empirical investigation of 384 structured questionnaires and surveys directed at microfinance institutions and their clients in the regions of Vlore and Fier, Albania.</em></p>

scholarly journals ANALISIS FINANCIAL INCLUSION TERHADAP PEMBERDAYAAN MASYARAKAT MISKIN DI MEDAN (STUDI KASUS PEMBIAYAAN MIKRO SS II DI BANK SUMUT SYARIAH)

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hairatunnisa Nasution ◽  
Yasir Nasution ◽  
Muhammad Yafiz
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Government Programs ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Lofty Goal ◽  
Inclusion Theory ◽  
Islamic Economic ◽  
Economic Understanding

This research aims to analyze the financial inclusion towards the empowerment of the poor in Medan through financing Sumut Sejahtera of the Bank Sumut Syariah. More specifically the research aims to know 1) the concept of financial inclusion that is implemented as a means of expanding access to financial services of banks and non-banks, 2) the application of the financial inclusion  Bank Sumut Syariah. Bank Sumt Syariah have significant role in the economic development of the community through a variety of financing micro, Financing of the Sumut Sejahtera. This financing facility has a lofty goal given to the community pre-prosperous society who have a business but not bankable feasibility so as to be worthy of being a customer of the bank, as well a improve people’s lives and help government programs in the framework of poverty reduction. The applicaton of financial inclusion on the financing Sumut Sejahtera of the Bank Sumut Syariah has been very clear benefits in the economic society prosper who enforce the interests for the public good. It is a basic principle in Islamic economic maqashid al-syariah. For financial inclusion theory maqashid al-syariah is one of the logical effort that must be applied as a consequence of the economic understanding of justice on one side and of religious on the other side.

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