Recently, thе Rеsеrvе Bаnk of Indiа (RBI) tоok а grоundbrеаking stеp by lifting pricе cаps оn micrоfinаncе lending. This decision can exert аn significant impact on non-banking financial company-microfinance institutions (NBFC-MFIs). This stratеgic shift aims to harmonisе thе rеgulatory landscapе for all microfinancе lеndеrs, including banks, thеrеby crеating a morе lеvеl playing fiеld. Thе nеw […]
6 Ways Tech in Finance is Transforming Microfinance Institutions
The microfinance sector has evolved rapidly since Muhammad Yunus pioneered the movement around three decades ago. India, one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, banks on microfinance for sustainable growth and economic development due to the significant rise in the number of micro, small, and medium (MSMEs) seeking swift, organised, and streamlined access to […]
Microfinance: What Lenders Should Consider While Approving a Microloan
Microfinance is generally associated with financial inclusion and poverty alleviation. It aims to help individuals and small businesses who have limited access to conventional banking services. In a broader sense, microfinancing refers to providing financial services like access to money transfers and savings accounts, credit facilities, and insurance to the economically weaker segments (EWS) of […]
Top Four Reasons to Be Ethical to Solve Problems of Microfinance
In the industrial economy of the 80s, microfinance emerged as an option to eradicate poverty. But due to high volumes and profitability, it has become heavily commercialised. The higher interest rates and over-indebtedness have led to a high suicide rate among borrowers. Which raises the question, “is it fair to maximize profits from the poor”. […]
Challenges and Opportunities Facing India’s Digital Microfinance
The Internet revolution and increased mobile penetration across rural markets have fuelled the emergence of digital technologies in India’s microfinance sector over the last decade. MFIs have now begun to adapt to new technology trends for faster loan origination, efficient customer service and delivering flexible lending requirements using alternate channels. The proliferation of low-cost mobile […]
Problems of Microfinance in India and the Way Ahead
Poverty is a significant economic problem in the majority of the developing world. In most rural areas of India, agriculture is the principal source of revenue. Agriculture employed 42.6% of India’s workforce in 2019. However, the rural community has been largely cut off from official financial institutions, resulting in poor performance Microfinance raises household income […]