Microfinance and Microbrews Bellingham: March 22

Join us in Bellingham as we feature Totem at the March 22 MFMB event! This local organization supports a microfinance institution in Villa Victoria, Mexico. Come learn more about how you can become involved.

Focusing on Social Enterprise, Global Partnerships Invests in Mexico

Global Partnerships (GP), a Seattle-based nonprofit that supports microfinance programs and other sustainable poverty solutions in Latin America, announced that it has expanded its programs to Mexico.

Shake Up in Mexican Microfinance

March 24, 2009 (Dow Jones)–Mexico’s microfinance industry is undergoing a major shake-up as the global financial crisis spurs banks that had dabbled in the sector in recent years to pull out altogether, at the same time making funding scarce for specialized lenders. (full article)

Microfinance in Mexico Resilient

Feb 26, 2009 — Until a year ago, microfinance and low-income banking in Mexico were a joint success story, growing at rates that made the rest of the country’s banking sector look sluggish. But since the beginning of last year, as credit began to dry up on fears of global recession, the fortunes of the [...]

Senators from Mexican President Felipe Calderon’s party will propose legislation to lower interest rates on loans, Senator Gustavo Madero said. The proposal may set maximum interest rates that banks and other companies can charge consumers, said Madero, who is the senate leader for the National Action Party. (full article)