March 11, 2010
March 1, 2010
February 23, 2010
February 19, 2010
February 19, 2010
January 29, 2010
The future of securitization in microfinance
This post is a follow-up to our original post on IFMR’s recent securitization deal.
Themes:
Commercialization & Subsidy
January 29, 2010
Weekly Tweets: 1/24/10 – 1/30/10
1/28: Reading @IFMRTrust's response (http://bit.ly/d8eEgB) to our post (http://bit.ly/80FNV2) on their first multi-originator securitization.
Themes:
Big Picture
January 28, 2010
New tool to track the impact of microinsurance
Curious about ongoing impact assessments in microinsurance? Check out the Stocktaking Initiative website launched by the Impact Working Group of the Microinsurance Network. The website tracks ongoing impact assessments of microin
Themes:
Insurance, Research Methodology
January 27, 2010
Princess Maxima speaks on microfinance at the Peace Palace in The Hague
Princess Máxima, the UN Special Advocate on Inclusive Finance, addressed a special event on “Microfinance, who profits?” at the Peace Palace in The Hague earlier this week. She expressed the opinion that “Microfinance should not stand alone, it needs to come as part of a rounded policy aimed at fighting poverty effectively.”
Themes:
Big Picture
January 26, 2010
The story of Grameen America at the Sundance Film Festival
It may still be too early to tell whether Grameen Bank’s expansion to the U.S. can be deemed a success, but so far the film version is getting rave reviews at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.
Themes:
Big Picture, Credit
January 25, 2010
How peer pressure can help you save
What do you think would make you more likely to save—being paid a higher interest rate or the social pressure of making a public commitment to save more and then having your peers monitor your progress? A new paper from Felipe Kast and Dina Pomeranz (hat tip to the CMF folks for blogging it firs
Themes:
Behavioral Economics, Product Design, Savings
January 22, 2010
New video from Jonathan Morduch: the challenges of living on $2 a Day
Jonathan Morduch discusses the challenges of living on $2 a day with Geoff Dabelko of the Woodrow Wilson Center.
Themes:
Big Picture
January 22, 2010
Weekly Tweets: 1/17/10 – 1/23/10
1/22: New video from Jonathan Morduch: the challenges of living on $2 a day. http://bit.ly/89OrY7 #microfinance
January 21, 2010
Chapter 1 of Portfolios of the Poor now available in French and Spanish
The first chapter of the new book Portfolio of the Poor: How the World's Poor Live on $2 a Day is now available in French and Spanish at the links below.
January 13, 2010
AEA round-up: papers to look out for
Chris Blattman did a nice job of highlighting some of the more interesting presentations from AEA. I would add two more:
January 13, 2010
Microsavings: the forgotten half remembered?
In an industry long focused on microcredit, microsavings is often referred to as “the forgotten half of microfinance”. Now, thanks to a new push from the Gates Foundation, it’s about to be remembered.
Themes:
Savings
January 11, 2010
Are microfinance clients who sell contraband less likely to repay?
I was surprised to learn the other day that in Bolivia a huge fraction of the goods purchased with microcredit are smuggled across the Peruvian and Chilean borders in order to avoid customs (for instance, most appliances are smuggled here). Ignoring the morality of it (I don't think the government cares all that much - many retailers who sell contraband pay sales tax), do you think that the behavior of clients who sell contraband is somehow different? Are people who can and do buy illegal products less likely to care about fulfilling their loan commitments?
Themes:
Behavioral Economics, Credit
January 11, 2010
Microinsurance comes to London
On February 23 and 24 I will attend the 2010 Microinsurance Summit in London. The conference's packed agenda and exciting speaker line-up promise interesting discussions on the following questions: What are the most effective delivery channels for the distribution of microinsurance products? What performance indicators can be used to improve program management?
Themes:
Insurance
January 7, 2010
Fazle Abed to be knighted for pioneering work with BRAC
A new year brings some good news: BRAC’s founder and Chairperson, Fazle Hasan Abed, is to be knighted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for services in tackling poverty and empowering the poor in Bangladesh and globally.
Themes:
Big Picture, Ultra Poor
January 7, 2010
Is there a role for moneylenders in microfinance?
In catching up on my blog reading after the holidays, I lingered over Rich Rosenberg’s post on whether microcredit is squeezing out moneylenders.