I apologise for the recent radio silence from the microfinance heretic. This has not been due to a shortage of items to write about – to the contrary. I have lost track of how many frauds, collapses and scandals there … Continue reading
I was scanning the 2014 Charity CEO Compensation Guide published by Charity Navigator. It’s an interesting read. Needless to say the numbers were substantially higher than what I earn, and occasionally seemed distasteful to me. “We know that many donors … Continue reading
Smart Campaign rarely speak in public. They lecture, but dislike questions. This is a rational response given their flawed certification model, which has just managed to praise one of the world’s most vilified institutions, Compartamos. Besides a few MIVs paying … Continue reading
I was surprised more fuss wasn’t made of Fitch’s October 2013 downgrade of Grupo ACP – the main shareholder of Peru’s flagship microfinance institution (MFI): MiBanco. “The downgrade [] is driven by ACP’s losses (mainly due to foreign exchange volatility … Continue reading
[This is a detailed review of an academic paper. For a summary of this blog-post, click here]. A recent paper has attracted attention, likely to garner support from microcredit supporters. Firstly, it was written by prestigious academics from well-known institutions … Continue reading
[For the full review of this paper, click here] An important recent paper written by distinguished academics examines the impact of loans upon a range of variables. The authors use a sophisticated Randomized Control Trial (RCT) methodology and data from … Continue reading
There’s a fascinating, if not slightly obscure conference coming up in Boston shortly. Ominously referred to as “Extreme Inclusion”, it is hosted by the Fletcher School, Tufts University. What intrigues me about this conference is two of the women speaking … Continue reading
The poor lack the array of options we take for granted in wealthy nations, and are more vulnerable to shocks. Their incomes and expenses may be more volatile. Insurance services are limited, and a comparatively minor medical emergency, or such … Continue reading
Rather than pick a single theme, I thought I’d write a summary of the first month of 2013 in the embattled sector. Princess Maxima of Holland got a promotion from ambassador of microfinance to Queen of the Netherlands. Let’s hope … Continue reading
Another few million clients, new banks emerging daily, relentless spin without much evidence of poverty reduction: I thought I’d provide a light-hearted summary of what’s happened this year in the embattled microfinance sector. The best news is that the microfinance … Continue reading
