The aim of this study was to investigate how Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) in South Africa balance sustainability with developmental objectives. Twelve semistructured, in-depth interviews were conducted with microfinance subject matter and microfinance institutions. The research found that commercialisation is not compatible with social impact as it leads to mission drift, which can be managed by an inclusive stakeholder governance structure. The trade-off between sustainability and social impact (outreach) was evident for commercial MFIs; while sustainability can be achieved through scale and cost management. In addition, MFIs achieve lower delinquency rate by implementing non-financial interventions such as client training and using group lending methodology that fosters social capital in the client base. The lack of a visible collaboration between MFIs has deprived the industry of a strong voice that can mobilise society to leverage the benefits of microfinance to help South Africa reduce inequalities. Despite the fact that regulatory restrictions concerning savings mobilisation for micro enterprise lenders are inhibiting product innovation and curtailing outreach, microfinance has proved to be a valuable tool that South Africa has not leveraged to alleviate poverty and reduce income inequalities. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Au sein de l’Union Monétaire Ouest Africaine (UEMOA), une réglementation spécifique desactivités de microfinance existe mais bon nombre de ces institutions continuent d’exercer enmarge de la réglementation sans que les autorités de régulation ne soient en mesure d’y mettrefin. La réglementation a des avantages mais aussi des coûts pour les institutions demicrofinance (IMF) déclarées et l’anticipation des pertes ou des gains nets par ces institutionspeut accélérer ou ralentir leur mise en conformité avec la loi. Les travaux de cette thèse ontanalysé la réponse des institutions de microfinance à la mise en place de cette réglementation.De façon spécifique, elle a renseigné le lien entre réglementation et performance à partir desdonnées empiriques dans le but d’évaluer les incitations à la demande de réglementation. Ilest possible de substituer la régulation prudentielle à la discipline de marché dans la microintermédiationfinancière car l’effet bénéfique net pour les systèmes de financementdécentralisés est positif. Malgré leur vocation sociale, toutes les institutions de microfinancen’assurent pas pleinement leur double mission d’équilibre financier et de performance sociale.En effet, nombreuses sont celles qui ont une stratégie orientée vers la performance financière.Les résultats de nos travaux suggèrent également d’accroître l’effort de surveillance de lagouvernance des IMF jusqu’à un niveau minimum requis afin d’améliorer leur revenufinancier / In West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), microfinance institutions (MFIs)are regulated by specific laws but many of them operate outside the regulatory framework.Regulation has advantages but also costs for regulated institutions and the anticipation ofgains or costs may strengthen or limit their incentives for regulation. We analyze MFIsreactions to the implementation of that regulation. In other way, we investigate the linkbetween regulation and performance by using empirical data to estimate the incentives forregulation. We find, it is possible to substitute the prudential regulation for market disciplinein the microfinance intermediation because the net benefit is positive. In spite of their socialvocation, some MFIs prefer ensuring financial performance. Our findings also suggest thatincreasing governance's effort improves MFIs financial income.

Following the success of the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, Microfinance institutions (MFIs) which apply group-lending method through the medium of small credit have been regarded as a new and effective tools for poverty alleviation for the poor in many Less Developed Countries. This study analyses the role of two MFIs, namely KUKESRA, a government administered programme and Mitra Karya East Java (MKEJ) which is a privately managed institution in poverty alleviation in Indonesia. It examines to what extent these institutions have been successful in helping the poor, and improving the living standards of the recipients. Two alternative approaches, namely the institutionalist and the welfarist approaches, are used to examine the question of whether the poor benefited from the two programmes, followed by a comparison of the performances between the two. Using data obtained from a sample survey of 393 respondents in the District of Malang in East Java, from December 1998 - June 1999, it was found that the differences in management, organisational structure, programme design, and the system of coordination all resulted in differences in performance of the two MFI institutions studied. It was found that both programmes increased the incomes of the recipients, but the impact of KUKESRA was much lower than that of MKEJ. However, KUKESRA had a greater positive effect on employment than MKEJ. Neither of the programmes resulted in a significant improvement in the consumption of basic needs of the recipients. Of the two approaches used in the evaluation of the programmes, a good performance in terms of outreach and sustainability under the institutional approach did not imply that the poor really benefited from the programme. It was found that the welfarist approach is much more appropriate in evaluating the effectiveness of MFIs in Indonesia.

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) are an important tool of poverty reduction which has gained grounds over the years and grown rapidly given the services they provide. The rapid growth of the MFIs has had huge challenges on their regulatory framework which in turn has resulted in the prevalence of fraudulent cases. With the devasting effects of fraud on MFIs and the importance of MFIs in many economies this thesis aims to examine how the design and use of internal control impact fraud detection and prevention in MFIs. To achieve this aim, a qualitative study was conducted with a case study on eight MFIs in Cameroon. Primary data will be obtained from fourteen semi-structured interviews. Data will be analysed manually using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that internal control has a positive impact on fraud detection and prevention in MFIs by reducing fraud incentive, opportunity, rationalization, and capability. Further, findings revealed that the greatest causes of fraud in MFIs are poor remuneration, weak monitoring, and a poor internal control system. Therefore, for the purpose of future fraud prevention, MFIs should ensure to improve their remuneration schemes, improve1 their monitoring system and ensure regular internal control system updates in term of software and design. The study also, suggests further research on this topic in MFIs with a case study in other countries of the world. It will also be interesting for other researchers to explore how the aspect of capability as a key determinant of fraud can be reduced. This thesis contributes to academic literature as there is lack of studies on the impact of internal control on fraud detection and prevention in MFIs.

Abstract Title: Client Information Needs of MFIs: A Case Study of ASA Bangladesh Author: Juber Ahmed Academic Advisor: Dr. Klaus Solberg Søilen Department: School of Management, Blekinge Institute of Technology Course: Master Thesis in Business Administration Purpose: To enrich the knowledge base of client’s needs of financial services and assessing the tools MFIs used to collect clients’ information and how they utilized the information for developing new products and services or modifying existing products and services or their terms and conditions to meet the needs of financial services of their clientele. Also how MFIs organized and managed the information and how they categorized their clients using that information. Method: The investigation conducted from both a theoretical and an empirical point of view. The deductive approach used for the study and the case study method deployed. I studied ASA which is an MFI renowned in Bangladesh and beyond. At first, I had gone through a secondary research for collecting a number of successful methods and standard types of information used by successful MFIs from existing literature. In primary research, I interviewed 10 Managers (Assistant Directors) for ASA to determine which of the methods found in the literature were more effective for collecting clients’ information for them and also asked them to add their ideas to the list. At last I asked interviewees to rate the methods and results presented in this paper. Theory: This study was an exploratory one where I discussed the related aspects for the study - Microfinance, Client Assessment, Clients of Microfinance, Information needs and Management Information System. Findings: The study showed that ASA utilized client information for developing their credit products and services and based on number of loans taken by the clients they categorized their clients and modified or developed new products and services for each category of clients. Although ASA executed several tools for collecting client information but the managers think that their staffs’ collection of information from regular meeting with clients was more effective than others for modifying products’ terms and conditions and modifying or developing new products and services to their women and small enterprise clients. The conducted study also revealed that in ASA impact study was necessary to know clients’ overall level of satisfaction but management needed specific information on what aspects of ASA and its credit products and services clients preferred and did not prefer and the reasons of the preferences. Also they needed action plan to address clients’ specific concerns, so they needed the information on a continual basis and they were successful to achieve this continuous flow of information. For ASA, the best way to get this type of information would be through client satisfaction Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), although they utilized several tools but not often as discussed in part 3 in chapter 5. ASA owned an MIS (AMMS) for monitoring and managing clients’ information and they utilized this to categorize their clients based on the collected information about their number of loans. Conclusion: This study revealed that ASA served only women and small enterprise clientele that included the vulnerable non-poor and could contribute to the profitability of ASA. There was no attempt to diversify the products to include all poor that should be the goal of microfinance to alleviate poverty. Moreover client treated as individual client but the loans used to fulfill household or family needs of the clients. There were tools for collecting information on household about impact of credit programs participation but they took seldom effort for collecting information of the household money management or in other words how they utilized the loans for variety of household needs. There is lack of access to a variety of financial services for poor clients, even though MFIs are mostly serving vulnerable non-poor instead of taking consideration of all categories of poor. It revealed from the study that MFIs could gain long term success by serving specific market segment but it should not be only focus of MFIs, their initiative should be to include all poor in their clients profile with a priority to a specific market segment. This could help them to become sustainable and to minimize risks by spreading it in different market segments. The study found that ASA considered FGDs as an effective tool for collecting clients’ information as their staffs and managers were familiar with this tool, moreover it was cost effective for them. It observed that they seldom followed Tool Selection Process and it was the top management that decided over the tools, the decision might influence by internal and external interest groups and the competition. MFIs should organize client information in a way so that they could be able to manipulate the specific client information to serve client better and to take effective decision, although it is imperative to argue that they may like to serve the wealthier clients. This research paper is also presenting some important findings from existing literature of microfinance and a number of recommendations based on the study experience and scholars opinions from existing microfinance study that may help MFIs to prepare themselves to adopt client-oriented approach by utilizing client assessment tools to fulfill the needs of financial services of their clients that may hopefully include all poor irrespective of their categories.

PLHOŇ, Tomáš. Analysis of microfinance in Czech nonprofit sector. Prague, 2011. 70 p. Diploma work (Mgr.) Charles University in Prague, Faculty of social sciences, Institut of sociology sciences. Department of public and social policy. Supervised by prof. PhDr. František Ochrana, DrSc. Abstract This thesis deals with the concept of microfinance and its development in the Czech nonprofit sector. In the first part the author deals with a brief description of this concept and its historical development over the last fifty years. Followed by analysis of itself, that tries to deal with the fact that despite the rapid global development of this worldwide phenomenon, microfinance in the Czech Republic is still a relatively new phenomenon. Author attempted semi structured interviews to map key players in the industry, discover their interests, attitudes, resources, and their declared objectives. The main point of the analysis is myElen.com, Czech internet portal, which is pretty much the main driver of all the happenings in the field of microfinance in this country. In conclusion the author offers an evaluation of analytical findings and suggests possible future steps to further exploration, as well as recommends the most appropriate steps in policy-making.

La rotación laboral en las empresas del sector Microfinanzas en Arequipa, ha generado interés especial, la rotación en el Área de Negocios, específicamente el puesto de Analistas de Créditos, porque ocasionan un impacto directo en la pérdida de fidelización de los clientes; a la vez genera distintos efectos en las siguientes áreas de la empresa: en el área de talento humano se generan costos de reclutamiento, capacitación e Impacto en el clima laboral; En el Área de negocios, reducción de la cartera de créditos, pérdida de clientes, incremento de la cartera atrasada, retraso en el cumplimiento de metas y reducción de la rentabilidad La rotación se da entre Bancos (especializados en Microfinanzas), Financieras, Cajas Municipales, Cajas Rurales, Edpymes y Cooperativas, esta rotación genera principalmente tres efectos: (1) pérdida de clientes, por compras de deuda; (2) disminución del nivel de exclusividad, los clientes empiezan a tener crédito con otras entidades; (3) Sobrendeudamiento, incrementan su monto de crédito, manteniendo su capacidad de pago El presente trabajo de investigación se basara en un enfoque cualitativo, encontrando que la rotación en el área de negocios en el puesto de Analista de créditos, en el sector de Microfinanzas en la provincia de Arequipa, es causada por tipo personal y Organizacional; Este problema hace necesario identificar las razones de la rotación y poder proponer soluciones, y lograr disminuir la rotación del puesto de Analista de créditos, esto permitirá que se atenúe la perdida de fidelidad de los clientes. Por lo anterior, este trabajo de investigación revisara literatura de Administración de Recursos Humanos, Artículos y estudios sobre la rotación de Personal, que permitan encontrar propuestas de solución adecuadas a este problema. / Job rotation in companies in the Microfinance sector in Arequipa has generated special interest, turnover in the Business Area, specifically the position of Credit Analysts, because they have a direct impact on the loss of customer loyalty; At the same time, it generates different effects in the following areas of the company: in the area of human talent, recruitment, training and Impact costs are generated in the work environment; In the Business area, reduction of the loan portfolio, loss of clients, increase of the overdue portfolio, delay in the achievement of goals and reduction of profitability The rotation occurs between Banks (specialized in Microfinance), Financial, Municipal Savings Banks, Rural Savings Banks, Edpymes and Cooperatives, this rotation generates mainly three effects: (1) loss of clients, due to debt purchases; (2) decrease in the level of exclusivity, customers begin to have credit with other entities; (3) Over-indebtedness, increase your credit amount, maintaining your ability to pay The present research work will be based on a qualitative approach, finding that the rotation in the business area in the position of Credit Analyst, in the microfinance sector in the province of Arequipa, is caused by personal and Organizational type; This problem makes it necessary to identify the reasons for the rotation and be able to propose solutions, and to reduce the turnover of the Credit Analyst position, this will allow the loyalty loss of the clients to be mitigated. Therefore, this research work will review literature on Human Resources Management, Articles and studies on Staff turnover, which will allow finding suitable solutions to this problem. / Trabajo de investigación

Avec les orientations prises en 2002 par la Commission Bancaire de l’Afrique Centrale (COBAC) en vue de développer les activités microfinancières, le métier de la microfinance s’est transformé dans sa forme organisationnelle (en passant de l’informel au formel) mais aussi dans sa relation avec son environnement. L’observation du terrain met en lumière que cette perspective est largement déterminée par la coopération entre les très petites entreprises (TPE) et les établissements de microfinance (EMF) dont les pratiques managériales sont soumises à l’épreuve de la réglementation. A ce titre, la réglementation conditionne les pratiques des acteurs, et donc devrait contribuer au développement du marché et assurer la pérennité des EMF et TPE à travers leur coopération. Par rapport à ce qui précède, quels enseignements peut-on tirer de l’expérience gabonaise afin de générer une meilleure compréhension du problème de l’impact de la réglementation sur les acteurs du marché de la microfinance? Ce travail révèle qu’en environnement institutionnalisé, les EMF sont partagés entre deux attitudes : financière ou sociale. Il fait apparaître que plusieurs TPE, porteuses de projets, n’arrivent pas à bénéficier de l’offre du marché microfinancier. Ce paradoxe nous amène alors à interroger les différents comportements que la réglementation du marché de la microfinance traduit et induit. Nous avançons que ces comportements, de même que leur interaction, agissent sur la coordination des acteurs, c'est-à-dire sur la manière dont les EMF et les TPE sont gérés, ainsi que sur la coopération EMF/TPE. Ce travail participe ainsi à une meilleure compréhension du marché de la microfinance au Gabon. / With the direction taken in 2002 by the Banking Commission of Central Africa (COBAC) to develop microfinance activities, the business of microfinance has turned in its organizational form (moving from informal to formal), but also its relationship to its environment. Our field observation shows that this perspective is largely determined by the cooperation between the very small enterprises (VSE) and microfinance institutions (MFIs) whose management practices are put to the test of regulations. As such, the regulation affects the behavior of actors and thus should contribute to market development and the sustainability of MFIs and VSE through their cooperation. Compared to the above, what lessons can be learned from the Gabonese experience to generate a better understanding of the problem of the impact of regulation on the market of microfinance? We show that in an institutionalized environment, EMF have two options: a financial attitude and a social attitude. We show that many small businesses, with projects, are unable to benefit from the offer of the microfinance market. This paradox then leads us to question the different behaviors that the regulation of the microfinance market translated and induced. We induce that these behaviors as well as their interaction affect the internal organization of tasks (coordination) of the actors, that is to say on how EMF and VSE are managed, as well as the cooperation between EMF and VSE. This work opens up new areas of understanding of the microfinance market in Gabon.