2005 Guatemala Microfinance Benchmarking Report

This first edition of the “Benchmarking Microfinance in Guatemala 2005” focuses on the performance of Guatemalan MFIs using the lens of the industry standard indicators and comparing them in local and regional peer groups. This report shows in general terms that Guatemalan MFIs stand out for their market depth with respect to Central America and the rest of Latin America and the Caribbean. However, they tend to be less profitable and show mixed efficiency indicators compared to the rest of the region.

To enrich the analysis and make the information more comparable, Guatemalan MFIs have been classified in peer groups by their level of sustainability and target market (considering the value of the average loan balance as a percent of the national income per capita) permitting us to identify the segment of population served, their financial structures, portfolio quality, and determine how these influence their performance. Results vary significantly between peer groups, revealing a growing and diverse market.