2009 Latin America and Caribbean Microfinance Analysis & Benchmarking Report
The microfinance industry in LAC in 2008 continued to grow though at a diminished rate. The credit portfolio expanded by about 13.937 billion USD but growth slowed to an annual rate of 13.6 percent after experiencing growth of 37.1 percent in 2007. In terms of reach, the industry comprised 12.9 million loans, which grew 14.1 percent in 2008, less than the 22 percent growth reported in 2007. The economic slowdown (clients demanded less credit), overindebtedness (clients could not continue to pay creditors) and the financial crisis (restrictions and cancelations on lines of credit throughout the region) were the primary reasons for the diminished growth as average outstanding balances remained static in 2008. In certain markets, state interventions into the financial sector are already creating negative blowback against the microfinance industry.
The 2009 Latin America and Caribbean Microfinance Analysis & Benchmarking Report includes benchmarks based on data from 332 microfinance institutions (MFIs) in over 18 countries in the region, as well as analysis of financial performance and funding structure.
This report was produced by Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) with the support of REDCAMIF, COPEME, RFR, ProDesarrollo, ASOFIN, FINRURAL, RADIM, and FGV. To read the full report in English, click on the link to the right. This report is also available in Spanish.
