Independent Research and Policy Advocacy

Challenge of financing SMEs

India is home to about 26 million small enterprises (with investments less than 50 million) that account for about 20 per cent of the country’s GDP .

Managing risks in microfinance

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) essentially act as financial intermediaries, bridging the gap between mainstream financial institutions and low-income households for a specific type of credit need that is short-term and unsecured.

Technology to the rescue of MFIs

[Artoo Slate is a software solution designed for microfinance field staff that takes the entire process of data collection and loan disbursement online.

MFIs, markets need each other

The goal of an investment professional is to maximise the risk-adjusted return on the overall portfolio through diversification within and across asset classes.

Malegam Committee Report on microfinance released

The Reserve Bank of India has released on its website the Report of the Sub-Committee of the Central Board of Directors of Reserve Bank of India to Study Issues and Concerns in the MFI Sector. The Sub-Committee has recommended creation of a separate category of NBFCs operating in the microfinance sector to be designated as NBFC-MFIs. To qualify […]

A new partner for MFIs arrives

Puneet Gupta is restless and visibly excited. The last ten days have been the culmination of many days’ efforts in creating access to finance to deserving high quality Microfinance Institutions (MFIs).

Getting some facts straight in microfinance

The recent controversy surrounding the microfinance sector has entirely eclipsed the fact that it is the first effort in India to have delivered financial services to remote corners of the country in a self-sustaining manner.