ACCESS TO FINANCIAL SERVICES

NEWS
The State Bank of Pakistan issues guidelines for NGOs.  The State Bank of Pakistan issued guidelines to facilitate the transformation of Non Government Organizations /Rural Support Development Programs/Cooperatives etc. into formal Microfinance Banks. Daily Times, March 18, 2005.

Not Just for Corporations: Six Microfinance Banks on Three Continents Use Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Guidelines.  Microfinance institutions in Africa, Asia, and South America are issuing sustainability reports using GRI guidelines, as are other non-corporate entities.  SocialFunds.com, March 16, 2005.

See related article: Netherlands Platform for Microfinance, February 21 2005. http://www.micro-finance.nl/en-GB/Content.aspx?type=news&id=107

Commercializing Microfinance is Key to Expanding the Industry - Manila.  The commercialization of microfinance is key to expanding the industry and helping millions of poor and low-income people help themselves rise above poverty. Asian Development Bank, March 15, 2005.

Finance Boost for Small Farmers - South Africa.  Finance Minister announces a new micro agricultural finance scheme to disburse R600 million over the next three years. South Africa Alive with Possibility, February 23, 2005.

PUBLICATIONS

Designing Loan Guarantees to Spur Growth in Developing Countries.  This paper discusses the deficiencies in credit markets and explores the development rationale for partial guarantees of domestic currency loans in less developed countries. USAID, by Paul L. Freedman, 2004.

Great Expectations: Microfinance and Poverty Reduction in Asia and Latin America. This paper discusses the methodological issues surrounding the measurement of the effectiveness of microfinance programs as poverty-combating tools, and compares studies of the poverty impact of microfinance in Asia and Latin America. ADB institute, by John Weiss and Heather Montgomery, September 2004.

Making Rural Finance Count for the Poor.  This paper identifies a significant gap in donor and government focus – the development and promotion of systems and instruments that reduce the risks inherent in much rural finance. It discusses the World Bank-sponsored weather insurance initiative in India, as well as programs to support the efficient transformation of warehouse receipts into collateral, among other programmatic recommendations, and explores alternative ways to overcome the implementation challenges that have impeded the replication of viable rural financial models. Department for International Development (DFID), by Doug Pearce, September 2004.

Microfinance Investment Funds: Key Features.  This paper looks into the parallel which can be made between the development of MFIs and of Microfinance Investment Funds. Appui au Développement Autonome, by Patrick Godman, February 2005.

Realizing the Potential of Microfinance.  In this special report, the University of Sussex development research publication insights  compiles seven articles by Syed Hashemi (CGAP), Jonathon Murdoch (New York University), Sean Kline (Freedom From Hunger), Anton Simanowitz and Alyson Brody (Imp-Act Programme), Naila Kabeer (Univ. of Sussex), Paul Mosley (Sheffield Univ.), Helzi Noponen, and James Copestaky (Univ. of Bath). The report focuses on the following questions: ‘How can we be more realistic in our expectations of microfinance? How can we help MFIs to achieve sustained impacts such as alleviating poverty or reaching out to more poor people? How can microfinance realize its potential?’ Imp-Act Programme, Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, December 2004.  

State of the Microcredit Summit Campaign Report 2004.  By Sam Daley-Harris.

Tackling the ‘Frontier’ of Microfinance Provision in Kenya: Reaching Remoter Areas with Financial Services. This paper assesses six organizations in Kenya to establish their reach, both in terms of geography and poverty.  It postulates the existence of a ‘frontier’ of provision for centralized models and discusses strategies for extending outreach.  By Susan Johnson, Markku Malkamaki, and Nairobi Kuria Wanjau, April 2004.

EVENTS
UPCOMING:

SME Financing 2005.  This conference includes high-level managers from commercial banking institutions speaking on topics such as CEE Market Analysis; Products, Services and Distribution Channels in SME; Managing Relations with Clients from SME Segment; Non-bank Financial Institutions - Competitor or Partner?; and the Role of Risk Capital in SME Financing. The objective of the meeting is to highlight the opportunities for financing Small and Medium Enterprises in Central Eastern Europe and present effective commercial approaches to SME financing by building upon experiences in the European Union. Budapest, April 21-22, 2005.

8th Annual Conference of Microfinance Institutions in C&EE and the NIS "Success of Microfinance: How Do We Use This Success to Maximize Benefits for Clients?  This conference aims to present and facilitate the dissemination of information and lessons learned from the experiences of Romanian Microfinance Organizations. Bucharest, May 26-28, 2005.

12th Annual International Conference: Facilitating the Flow of Funds to SMEs.  This three day conference aims to determine the roles of various organizations (banks, financial and economic institutions) in SME support, at both Arab and global levels, and develop strategies that empower SMEs to participate actively in economic development across sectors. Organized by The Arab Academy for Banking and Financial Services. Jordan, May 29-31, 2005.

CGAP/UNCDF Donor Training - Building Financial Systems for the Poor: How Donors Can Make a Difference.  A five day Training Course for Donor Staff, Socially Responsible Investors and Policy Makers. The course focuses on the role of donors in supporting financial systems that work for the majority. It will discuss current trends in microfinance based on international experience, and also the role, objectives and strategies of donors and other players and develop techniques to analyze and monitor microfinance investments.  Organized by CGAP and UNCDF, New York, June 7 - 10, 2005.

Microfinance Conference 2005: "New Partnerships for Innovation in Microfinance".  The conference will discuss how the rapidly growing microfinance industry can access private capital, new financial technology, and the know-how to obtain refinancing while adding to its product range. Hosted by KfW Entwicklungsbank. Frankfurt, Germany, June 23-24, 2005.

2005 World Credit Union Conference.  This conference will focus on International Governance Principles for CUs, asset liability management –from the basics to the big time, global regulatory trends, innovative cross border services and the evolution of European co-operative banks. Organized by WOCCU. Rome, Italy, July 24-27, 2005.

Business Development Services (BDS).  BDS practitioners and funding agencies engaged in designing and implementing projects to support small enterprise development will present their experiences, current activities and future plans, along with new ideas and approaches that may increase effectiveness. Organized by the ILO. Italy, September 19-23, 2005.

EVENTS
Past:

E-Conference on Building Inclusive Financial Sectors for Development: Widening Access, Enhancing Growth, Alleviating Poverty.  The e-conference was structured around a two-week discussion. Week 1 (March 28th-April 1st) focused on efficient financial institutions positioned to meet clients needs, and Week 2 (April 4th-8th) on the enabling policy environment for financial markets that reach the poor. Organized by The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Financing for Development Office of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). March 28th- April 8th, 2005.

Empowering Communities, Attracting Development Capital, and Creating Opportunities.  Remarks by Chairman Alan Greenspan at the 2005 National Community Reinvestment Coalition Conference. Washington, D.C., March 18, 2005.

ADB Microfinance Week.  This event focused on the International Year of Microcredit 2005, providing a forum for a broad range of microfinance stakeholders in the region to share knowledge and good practices on commercial microfinance and current developments in the microfinance industry and improve aid effectiveness of microfinance. Organized by Asian Development Bank. Philippines, March 14-18 2005.

Regulation and Supervision of Financial Cooperatives/Credit Unions, The “Direct” Supervision Model – Workshop.  Tuesday March 8, 2005, 9 AM – 1 PM - Room FL-109 (F Building)

Organized by FSE/OPD in collaboration with the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU).

High-Level Policy Meeting on Microfinance and Rural Finance in Asia.  The overall objective of the seminar was to identify appropriate strategies and policies for central banks and governments to promote microfinance and rural finance. Organized by Bank Indonesia, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, February 26-28 2004.

NEWSLETTERS 

MicroLINKS Connections. A monthly publication by USAID.

CEREM Newsbrief.  Newsletter of recent and forthcoming events, trends, training sessions and publications in the microfinance sector. CEREM is published by Appui Au Developpement Autonome a member of the Microinsurance Working Group initiated by CGAP.

INSME news. IN Small and Medium Enterprises (INSME) news is a monthly newsletter sent out by the INSME Secretariat with information about its current activities and issues related to innovation and technology transfer for SMEs.

The MicroBanking Bulletin.  Benchmarking source for the microfinance industry used by investors, donors and other service providers to facilitate greater standardization and a better understanding of the development of the microfinance sector.

The Microfinance Centre for Central and Eastern Europe produces a semi-annual publication on current microfinance issues in Central and Eastern Europe.

Microfinance Matters: Building Inclusive Financial Sectors.  This newsletter shares effective practices and expertise on building inclusive financial sectors in the context of UNCDF’s designation by the General Assembly as joint coordinator with UNDESA for the International Year of Microcredit 2005.

Microcredit Summit E-News.  Microcredit Summit E-News, a publication of the Microcredit Summit Campaign.

LINKS

CGAP - Building Financial Systems for the Poor.  CGAP is a consortium of 28 public and private development agencies working together to expand access to financial services for the poor in developing countries.

Development Gateway.  Development Gateway focuses on the discussion of the provision of financial services to entrepreneurs and micro business in developing countries.

DGRV - Deutscher Genossenschafts- und Raiffeisenverband e.V. (German Co-operative and Raiffeisen Confederation).  The website of the national apex organization of the German co-operative sector, which has experience in building and supporting cooperative systems in many East European Countries and CIS and Latin America, Africa and Asia.

Finance Research: Access to Finance.  This website is maintained by the World Bank’s Development Research Group.
 

Global Development Research Center - Virtual Library on Microcredit.  Articles and links to the principle organizations active in the field of microfinance.

How to Improve Access to Finance for Small Firms?  This online discussion was moderated by Thorsten Beck and Asli Demirguc-Kunt of the World Bank. The discussion focused on the obstacles that small firms face in getting bank loans and other formal sources of external financing; and best practice examples and proposals to effectively expand access to formal financing for small firms. December 6 - 20, 2004.

Imp-Act.  Imp-Act is a Global action-research program designed to improve the quality of microfinance services and their impact on poverty by developing impact assessment systems.

International Year of Microcredit 2005.  The Year of Microcredit 2005 calls for building inclusive financial sectors and strengthening the powerful, but often untapped, entrepreneurial spirit existing in communities around the world.

Micro-Credit Ratings International Ltd (M-CRIL).  M-CRIL produces ratings of microfinance institutions in Asia.

Microfinance Centre for Central and Eastern Europe and the New Independent States (MFC).  The MFC supports microfinance institutions in CEE and the NIS in their efforts to alleviate poverty, create employment, and stimulate the economy through the development of microenterprises and self-employment.

Microfinance Gateway.  Information for and about the microfinance industry, including research and publications, specialized resource centers, organization and consultant profiles, and the latest news, events, and job opportunities in microfinance.

MicroSave and Market-led Microfinance.  This website offers practical guidance in the form of research papers, briefing notes, training toolkits and other resources on market-led microfinance.

PlanetFinance.  The mission of Planet Finance is to support microfinance programs in countries with operations of Planet Finance.

Rural Finance Learning Centre.  This is a website dedicated to providing access to the best materials for capacity building in the field of rural finance.