The paper explains the market segmentation that occurs in the Philippine informal credit markets through the matching of borrows and lenders by their occupational specialization which internalizes transaction costs and facilitates economic activity. The regression results support a predictable...

This paper examines the implications of the institutional designs employed by two types of NGOs for the functions performed by indigenous self-help village groups called kafos in The Gambia. NGOs were found to be only a partial substitute for the financial and insurance functions traditionally...

Twelve key themes covering institutions, products, services, processes and enabling environment are studied in this literature review of rural finance in developing countries. Advances made and emerging lessons are examined for these themes, and the challenges and remaining gaps in knowledge...

Research on structural adjustment, liberalization and privatization in sub-Saharan Africa has not focused on the consequences of these policy initiatives on the financial sector. This paper documents and discusses the consequences of these reforms on the financial sector in The Gambia. Marked...

Over the past three decades, agricultural credit has received considerable attention in low income countries as governments have tried to stimulate output and help the rural poor through credit. Recent analyses, however, reveal major problems in many agricultural credit programmes. Cheap credit...

This paper presents and interprets descriptive statistics generated from data obtained in a survey of clients of five microfinance organizations believed to be among the best in Bolivia. These lenders represent different combinations of organizational design, lending technology, and market area...

This paper focuses on the difficulties inherent in the prudent management of growth of microfinance organizations and on potential limits to the increased efficiency, profitability, and sustainability expected from growth and large size. The paper addresses both positive and negative...

Repeat borrowing is critical for the long-term financial viability of microfinance institutions (MFIs), which provide financial services to low-income households in developing countries. Repeat borrowers reduce MFI administrative costs, lower risks, and increase institutional productivity. In...

This paper presents and interprets descriptive statistics generated from data obtained in a survey of clients of five microfinance organizations believed to be among the best in Bolivia. These lenders represent different combinations of organizational design, lending technology, and market area...

This paper focuses on the difficulties inherent in the prudent management of growth of microfinance organizations and on potential limits to the increased efficiency, profitability, and sustainability expected from growth and large size. The paper addresses both positive and negative...