Future of Microfinance | Microbanking Bulletin, Autumn 2007 (Issue No. 15)

The feature articles of this issue of the MicroBanking Bulletin include “Environment and Social Risk Management: The FMO Approach,” detailing how to manage the environmental and social risk in microenterprises. “The Landscape of Microinsurance in the World’s 100 Poorest Countries,” discusses how microinsurance can play a significant role in mitigating instability in the lives of the vulnerable. The role of savings banks and how they are suited for delivery microfinance services to the poor is discussed in “Bringing the Hidden Giants to the Footlight: The Role of Savings and Retail Banks in Increasing the Level of Access to Financial Services,” while the Latin American microfinance market is examined by MIX’s own Latin America team in “First Look: the Diverse Latin American Microfinance Market.”

Articles in this issue:

Environmental and Social Risk Management: The FMO Approach

Robert Bierens, Investment Officer, FMO LAC Department
Anton G. van Elteren, Senior Environmental Specialist, FMO Investment & Review Dept.

The Landscape of Microinsurance in the World’s 100 Poorest Countries

Jim Roth, Vice President for Research and Development, MicroInsurance Centre, LLC
Michael J. McCord, President, MicroInsurance Centre, LLC
Dominic Liber, Consulting Actuary, Quindiem Consulting, South Africa (Adapted by Michael J. McCord)

Bringing the Hidden Giants to the Footlight: the Role of Savings and Retail Banks in Increasing the Level of Access to Financial Services

Chris De Noose, Chairman, WSBI Management Committee

First Look: The Diverse Latin American Microfinance Market

Matthew Gehrke, Regional Manager, Latin America and the Caribbean, MIX
Renso Martínez, Lead Analyst, Latin America and the Caribbean, MIX

Benchmarking SME Banking Practices: What are the Lessons Emerging?

Ary Naim, Senior Financial Specialist, Global Financial Markets, IFC
Mark P. Berryman, Business Development Officer, Global Financial Markets, IFC
Alice Negre, Financial Specialist, Global Financial Markets, IFC
Bikki Randhawa, Senior Financial Specialist, Global Financial Markets, IFC

Large MFIs Dominate Investor Portfolios and Client Services

Blaine Stephens, Director of Analysis, MIX

Efficiency Drivers of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs): The Case of Operating Costs

Adrian Gonzalez, Research Analyst, MIX

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