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Reimagining Microfinance

Posted June 18, 2008 8:21 AM by Dylan Miyake

The Summer 2008 issue of the Stanford Social Innovation Review has an interesting article entitled "Reimagining Microfinance" where they argue that microfinance should be viewed as a platform, not as a product. One of the critical factors in this transformation is the creation of holistic performance standards and a certification program that add transparency to this market.

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The Microfinance market has evolved significantly since the early days of Grameen, and it is proven that there is a viable business in making micro-credit loans. I don't know that I believe there is a benefit to this certification program. While the MFIs can feel good that they are having a social impact, many are also running a business and generating a return on their investor's money.
# Posted By Ted | 6/18/08 8:50 AM
There is a good opinion article in the Wall Street Journal today about microfinance. Learn more here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121538201354530845...
In summary, it says that making huge economic loans to countries doesn't work as well as stimulating their economies through microfinance.
# Posted By Ted | 7/7/08 10:05 AM
Here is another good article from the Wilson Quarterly about MicroFinance.
http://www.wilsoncenter.org/index.cfm?essay_id=361.... It is called the MicroMagic of MicroCredit.
# Posted By Ted | 7/9/08 3:12 PM
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