While many microfinance organizations started as NGOs, there is now a growing movement for them to transform into regulated, for-profit entities. Concurrently, commercial banks, credit unions, and specialized investors are also entering the market. The Commercialization of Microfinance synthesizes case studies from Latin America and beyond, delving into the trends and challenges of converting microfinance institutions into commercial entities.
Deborah Drake is program manager of the Investing in Inclusive Finance initiative of the Center for Financial Inclusion at ACCIOIN. Elisabeth Rhyne is the Managing Director of the Center for Financial Inclusion at ACCION.
"Provides an informative, up-to-date analysis of how microfinance operations can, when brought up scale, become a significant factor in economic development."—George Soros, Open Society Institute
"Commercial microfinance delivered to low-income clients by competing, financially self-sufficient institutions is one of the most powerful tools available for social and economic development. This book tells why and how! Highly recommended for policymakers, regulators, bankers, microfinance practitioners—and all who are interested in development and the reduction of poverty."—Marguerite S. Robinson, author of The Microfinance Revolution
"This is an urgent and timely topic for anyone interested in reducing poverty." —Peter L. Woicke, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
"Provides excellent insights into how to conceive and implement effective microfinance programs that contribute to sustainable wealth creation and change people's lives in the process."—John A. Quelch, Harvard University Business School
