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Research Papers

Designing Savings and Loan Products

Author: 
Graham A. N. Wright

In “Portfolios of the Poor – How the World’s Poor Live on $2 a Day”, Collins et al. note that poor people face what they call the “triple whammy”: not only are their incomes low, but they are also unpredictable.

The Single Biggest Challenge for Microfinance

Author: 
Graham A.N. Wright

The paper highlights the importance of training and capacity building and how it still remains the single biggest challenge in the microfinance sector. The paper stresses that in line with private sector business, MFIs need to start seeing training as an investment rather than expense.

Bullock-cart Workers’ Development Association & BWDA Finance Limited: Leveraging Partnerships for Growth

Author: 
Sukhwinder Arora

Bullock-cart Workers’ Development Association (BWDA) started its operations in Tamil Nadu in 1985, with a focus on bullock-cart workers. It started promoting the creation of Self-Help Groups (SHG) in 1988. In 1999, BWDA decided to launch its own credit activities to meet the demand which was not met by available funds from the SHG members and banks.

SHARE Microfin Limited: Managing Transformation for Growth

Author: 
K. Somanadha Babu, Sukhwinder Arora

SHARE Microfin Limited (SML) has been a pioneering microfinance institution in India and is one of the fore-runners among transformed regulated financial institution. It has package microfinance assets into securities and attracted significant foreign direct investment into an MFI.

Understanding Saving Behaviour of North East India

Author: 
Madhurantika Moulick

The paper analyses the savings pattern in North-East India to understand their specific needs and design products and services that suit their needs. A qualitative research was conducted in the four states of North Eastern region (NER) of Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur and Tripura.

Serving Depositors: Optimising Branch Based Banking

Author: 
David Cracknell

A key challenge for financial institutions serving the low-income market is how to optimise branch networks to serve high volumes of customers - to provide high quality financial services at a low unit cost.

Process Mapping in Practice

Author: 
Henry Sempangi, David Cracknell, Hermann Messan, Madhurantika Moulick

This paper summarises the experience that MicroSave has gained in process mapping through working with its Action Research Partners. It highlights key benefits, which can be achieved through process mapping. It presents brief case studies detailing the experience of Tanzania Postal Bank and Equity Bank in Kenya.

Moving the Mountains: Savings As a Human Right in Bangladesh

Author: 
Graham A. N. Wright

Savings, particularly open access savings, is a human right and as much as it makes business sense. This paper examines – whether there is a demand for voluntary open-access savings services amongst microfinance institutions (MFI) clients in Bangladesh and the implications for the capitalisation of MFIs is they were to make them available.

MicroInsurance in Uganda: A Case Study of an Example of the Partner-Agent Model of MicroInsurance Provision

Author: 
Michael J. McCord, Leonard Mutesasira, Peter Mukwana, and Alex Sekiranda

This study reviews the Partner-Agent Model supporting the relationship between FU and NHHP. It presents an understanding of the mechanisms and practicalities of the model, as well as the satisfaction level of the partners and the market.

A Critical Review of Savings Services in Africa and Elsewhere

Author: 
Graham A.N. Wright

This paper reviews what motivates poor people to save and how MFIs might assist, while still retaining the MFIs’ focus on profitable operations and on sustainability. It briefly reviews the variety of systems and mechanisms that poor people use to save, and discusses the issues that the poor face.

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