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)
AsidesCouncil on Foreign Relation’s Isobel Coleman: “Microfinance is Gaining Momentum” Microfinance has a perception of success for a number of reasons—and it’s not just perception: In reality, it’s been tremendously successful. The first is that it is a true innovation in the development world. (full article)
AsidesAt its root, microfinance is intended to reduce poverty by providing the poor with credit to pursue goals not attainable without a monetary head start. However, the success of microfinance has attracted the attention of groups interested in using microfinance as a means to a more specific end. There may be some who think these ...
News and CommentaryLessons and implications for the international microfinance industry by Kate McKee, Senior Advisor at CGAP What consequences might the sub-prime crisis have for microfinance in developing countries and what lessons can our field draw from its underlying causes?…(full article)
AsidesThe Latin American Herald Tribune reported that thousands of farmers and small businessmen gathered on the night of Monday, January 12, to protest against high interest rates of microfinance institutions in the community of Tipitapa. (Full article)
AsidesOmidyar Network, a major philanthropic fund that has supported microfinance endeavors, recently participated in a venture funding round for Goodmail. Goodmail provides a secure, or certified, email product that increases delivery rates to and from areas that may otherwise have a difficult time sending and receiving email.
AsidesHarvard Business School-ACCION Program on Strategic Leadership for Microfinance
AsidesMICROCAPITAL: “The Push and Pull of China’s Microfinance Expansion”
AsidesKiva has been busy over the last few months with innovations, experiments, and announcements. In September the two big changes on the site allowed lenders (1) to access funds before the loan was repaid in full and (2) to create “lending teams” amongst affinity groups. (You can see ours here). Recently Kiva announced a collaboration ...
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