There is a significant amount of literature documenting empirical linkages between socioeconomic status and mental health of individuals. While economic studies have found beneficial impacts of anti-poverty programs (e.g., micro-credit programs) on mental and emotional health, non-economic studies have documented the powerful roles of social capital in determining mental and emotional health. In this thesis, we study the impact of a large community-driven development (CDD) women's empowerment program, Jeevika, on mental health. JEEViKA is a rural livelihood program in Bihar, India, which promotes women's livelihood through a network of women's self-help group (SHG). Using data on a sample of 2300 SHG women from matched pairs of 66 high-exposure and low-exposure Jeevika villages, we estimate the causal impact of Jeevika on mental health. The results suggest that mental health improves with increasing age and among socially backward communities in high exposure JEEViKA villages. However, overall both the individual and village level analysis demonstrates no significant impact of JEEViKA on the mental health.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Microinsurance services have been operating in Ghana for the last decade, but the question whether they have enhanced the welfare of low-income households, mostly in the informal sector, is largely unresearched. In particular the study asks: does microinsurance improve the welfare of households through asset retention, consumption smoothing and inequality reduction? This question has been examined through the use of the 2010 FINSCOPE survey which contains in-depth information on 3 642 households across the rural and urban settings of the country. In order to control for selection bias and endogeneity bias, Heckman sample selection, instrumental variable and treatment effect models were employed for the evaluation. The results of the assessment have been compiled into four empirical essays. The first essay investigates the impact of microinsurance on household asset accumulation. The findings show that microinsurance has a positive welfare impact in terms of household asset accumulation. This suggests that microinsurance prevents asset pawning and liquidation of essential household assets at ‘give away’ prices. By absorbing the risk of low-income households, insurance equips them to cope effectively with risk, empowers them to escape poverty and sustains the welfare gains achieved. The second essay examines the impact of microinsurance on consumption smoothing. It delves into the capacity of microinsurance to enable households to avoid costly risk-coping methods which are detrimental to health and well-being. The results reveal that insured households are less likely to reduce the daily intake of meals, which is an indication that microinsurance is a better option for managing consumption smoothing among low-income households. The third essay investigates the effect of microinsurance on households’ asset inequality. The findings indicate that the asset inequality of insured households is less than that of uninsured households. Insured female-headed households have much lower asset inequality than male-headed households, but uninsured female-headed households are worse off than both uninsured and insured male-headed households. The regional trend reveals that developmental gaps impede the capacity of microinsurance to bridge the asset inequality gap. The fourth essay asks: Does microcredit improve the well-being of low-income households in the absence of microinsurance? The findings show a weak influence of microcredit on household welfare. However households using microcredit in combination with microinsurance derive significant gains in terms of welfare improvement. Microcredit may be good, but its real benefits to the poor is best realised if the poverty trapping risks are covered with microinsurance. To this extent, combining microcredit with microinsurance will empower the poor to make a sustainable exit from poverty. The findings of this thesis have pertinent policy implications for the government, the development community and stakeholders in the insurance industry. Microinsurance is a good instrument for improving the welfare of households and thus this research recommends its integration into the poverty reduction strategy of Ghana and a greater insurance inclusion for the lower end of the market.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / Little research has yet been undertaken in South Africa about commercial banks that are servicing the microenterprise market. The objective for the current research was to investigate the key factors that should be considered by commercial banks in South Africa servicing the microenterprise market. The focus for the study was on identifying the key factors and on investigating how the key factors were being considered. There are a number of case studies documenting the key factors that international commercial banks have considered. However, in South Africa, there are relatively few documented cases, which rightfully confirms that commercial banks providing microfinance to microentrepreneurs are still in a new line of business that is in its early developmental stages. The first part of the current study aimed to identify the key factors that required consideration, which have been well documented in a number of research reports. The focus was also laid on international commercial banks that offered microfinance services, especially to microenterprises. The intention was to obtain an overview of how international banks have considered the key factors concerned. The second part of the research study aimed to see how South African commercial banks have considered the above-mentioned key factors, using Absa and Capitec banks as case studies. The key factors identified are the following: the operating model; the delivery model; institutional commitment; product development; funding; technical assistance; human resource (recruitment, retention and remuneration); and operations (credit methodology; loan appraisals; lending methodology; collections; branch network; and support services). The international commercial banks whose case studies are reviewed include: Banco do Nordeste; Bank Rakyat Indonesia; the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe; the Cooperative Bank of Kenya; Banque du Caire; the Agricultural Bank of Mongolia; Hatton National Bank; the Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India; and Banco de la Empressa. From the case studies it was seen that some of the commercial banks considered certain factors more than others. The other differentiating factor is how the key factors were considered, because the operating context of the different commercial banks differs. In South Africa, Absa and Capitec Bank have also considered the key factors, however, the operating model and the delivery model are the biggest differentiator as to how the other factors are considered.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The efficiency and availability of financial services for the poor is a global problem, and has only recently started to enjoy attention in South Africa. This dissertation aims to study the problems experienced by the South African microfinance industry, which includes a vast range of financial products. The survey conducted of the South African industry indicates that its makeup is significantly different from the industries in Latin America and Asia. The problems in the industry are prioritised and show the high cost structure to be the most pressing issue. A number of these issues show agreement as expressed by Spearman rank correlation coefficients. Clear trends exist between distinct market-segments in the industry. Tests for differences in location of specific populations indicate significant differences in perceptions regarding these segments. The government's recent suggestion to unify the financial service regulators into a mega-regulator is based on the assumption that the microcredit and commercial credit industries share the same priorities and problems. The very low Spearman rank correlation coefficient found in this study, on the other hand, seems to indicate that no reason exists to assume the priorities are the same at the two levels. Finally, it is shown by means of a "best practice matrix", that solutions to most problems can be found, but that the fit is dependent on a large number of variables. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die beskikbaarheid van finansiële dienste vir armes is 'n wêreldwye probleem, en het eers onlangs meer aandag in Suid Afrika begin geniet. Hierdie studie fokus op die probleme wat ervaar word in die mikrokrediet (mikrolenings) industrie. Die opname toon dat die Suid-Afrikaanse industrie beduidend verskil in samestelling van die ooreenstemmende industrieë in Suid-Amerika en Asië. Die probleme in die industrie is geprioritiseer en toon dat die hoë koste-struktuur die grootste probleem is. Sekere kwelpunte toon ooreenstemming, uitgedruk by wyse van Spearman se rangkorrelasie-koëffesiënt. Duidelike tendense bestaan tussen onderskeie mark-segmente in die industrie. Toetse vir ooreenstemming in die ligging van sekere populasies toon beduidende verskille in persepsies rakende hierdie segmente. Die regering se onlangse voorstel om die beheer-liggame van finansiële dienste saam te snoer in een liggaam is gebaseer op die aanname dat die mikrokrediet en kommersiële krediet industrië dieselfde probleme en prioriteite deel. Die baie lae Spearman rangkorrelasie-koëffisiënt impliseer egter dat daar geen grondige rede bestaan om aan te neem dat die prioriteite dieselfde is vir die twee vlakke nie. Laastens word beste praktyke aangedui in die vorm van 'n "beste praktyk matriks". Oplossings vir byna alle probleme kan gevind word, maar die toepaslikheid is afhanklik van 'n wye verskeidenheid veranderlikes.

Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / The study was carried out to find out the effect of credit risk and portfolio loan management on profitability of microfinance Banks (MFBs) in Lagos, Nigeria. To achieve the objective of the study, an econometric model was developed. A sample size of 14 microfinance banks was randomly selected, comprising four national, five state and five unit microfinance banks respectively. Five year annual financial statements of these 14 selected microfinance banks were obtained for this analysis using panel data that produce 70 observations for the period 2006 to 2010 The result reveals that the current value of all independent variables follow an expected relationship with the profitability of microfinance banks. That is, the net interest margin, asset mix proxied by ratio of loan to total asset, and ratio of equity to total assets have a positive relationship with the profitability of microfinance banks (MFBs) in Lagos state, Nigeria. Asset quality (ratio of non-performing loan to total loan) and the interest earnings to total assets ratio have a negative relationship with profitability of microfinance banks. However, the result reveals that of the five immediate past value of these independent variables, only net interest margin and interest earnings to total assets ratio maintained expected relationship with the performance (profitability) of microfinance banks. From the hypothesis test, it was found that credit risk management has a significant effect on the profitability of microfinance banks in Lagos state, Nigeria The study is set against the background and realisation that many MFBs in Lagos seem to continue to seek growth and profit without much attention to addressing credit risk issues – a necessity for their survival on a sustainable basis. The results indicated that the credit evaluation process was positively and significantly related to the quality of the loan portfolio in MFBs. The study also found out that internal rather than external to the MFB’s are more likely to provide the main explanation for MFBs’ profitability. To enhance their profitability, loan products which seem to have various defects which make loans even more risky need to be reviewed. The defects include: long loan processing procedures, absence of training to clients on proper utilisation of loans, lack of mechanisms to assess the suitability and viability of the business proposal for which loans were applied, inappropriate mechanism for assessing character for loan applicants, absence of moratorium periods between taking of a loan and repayment of a first instalment as clients were requested to repay their first instalment within the first month. The study recommended that MFBs should have a broad outlook in its credit risk and portfolio management strategy and this calls for radical reforms within the MFB’s operations and policies as well as more aggressive approaches most especially before availing credit and in its loan recovery as it had a direct impact on profitability.

Thesis (PhD (Economics)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Using an econometric approach on panel data collected from 53 microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Uganda over a period of six years (annual), this study has identified the determinants of sustainability and outreach of MFIs. In addition, the study has also used survey data from 31 non-Bank of Uganda (BOU) regulated MFIs or Tier 4 MFIs, four BOU-regulated non-bank MFIs, 12 commercial banks and the BOU itself to assess the effects of financial regulation of MFIs on their sustainability and outreach. The results indicate that sustainability is positively and significantly driven by real effective lending rates and age of an MFI, and negatively by the ratio of gross outstanding loan portfolio to total assets, the ratio of average loan size to the national per capita income, the unit cost of loans disbursed, and a group-based delivery mechanism compared to an individual-based delivery mechanism. Outreach is positively and significantly driven by an MFI being a savings and credit co-operative (SACCO) compared to being a private company, effectiveness of governance, the age of an MFI, the ratio of gross outstanding loan portfolio to total assets, and the ratio of salary/wage paid to staff to the national per capita income, and negatively by the ratio of average loan size to the national per capita income and the unit cost of loans disbursed. In the short run, financial regulation negatively influences the outreach of MFIs, but positively affects their sustainability. In the long term, financial regulation positively influences both the sustainability and the outreach of MFIs. The results suggest a number of policy options. First, the MFIs should focus on the real effective lending rate, given its significance in their sustainability. Second, for a real effective lending rate to be relatively low, the rate of inflation should be low. This calls for prudent monetary policy management by the government. Thirdly, the cost of doing business should be kept low. This calls for prudence in business management by the MFIs and creating a cost-effective business environment by the government. While the results are tentative, in order to expand outreach more SACCOs should be established and the MFIs should commit more funds to lending purposes compared to other investments. Finally, before enacting financial legislation, it is important that its benefits and costs are adequately assessed to ensure that the benefits outweigh the costs both in the short and long term.

Le document d'habilitation à diriger des recherches en sciences économiques se propose de contribuer à l'émergence d'une économie des finances solidaires, liant microéconomie bancaire, économie du développement local, socioéconomie de l'argent, dans la maison de l'économie sociale et solidaire, dont elle relève. Les privations d'accès à l'argent d'un côté, et la tyrannie des marchés financiers de l'autre, en appellent à une finance plus responsable. Dès lors, usant de la notion de responsabilité, on constate l'émergence d'une finance éthique en Europe, dont l'utilité sociale se nourrit des success stories de la microfinance en pleine expansion. Si la microfinance constitue bien l'un des éléments phares de la finance solidaire via les activités de microcrédit professionnel ou de financement d'activités génératrices de revenus, elle est aussi animé par des dispositifs de microcrédit personnel garanti, liant accompagnement social et financement de projets de vie, dont on parle moins. En outre, bon nombre d'activités financières solidaires – accès aux moyens de paiement et aux services bancaires de base – mobilisent l'épargne solidaire, et développent des systèmes innovants de garantis. Ce document constitue une étape vers la formalisation d'une microéconomie bancaire solidaire, branche souvent négligée de l'économie sociale et solidaire

Les développements théoriques de l'économie (néo-)institutionnelle ont gagné récemment le débat sur le développement. En même temps, le rôle des institutions est progressivement intégré dans l'analyse des stratégies de développement. Notre recherche dont le champ empirique est le cas de la microfinance en Haïti s'inscrit dans cette optique. Elle part de l'idée que le changement économique et social à la base du développement implique l'articulation d'un ensemble d'actifs matériels et immatériels. Le développement apparaît alors comme étant le processus sinon le résultat de la mobilisation d'un ensemble de capitaux. Aussi, nous avons cherché à montrer que les institutions économiques qui structurent les interactions entre les individus constituent une forme de capital : le capital institutionnel. Appliquée à l'analyse de l'intermédiation microfinancière en Haïti, le capital institutionnel s'est révélé un élément déterminant dans la mise en œuvre des stratégies de développement. Il apparaît comme un apport des organisations de microfinance. Il agit sur les comportements des bénéficiaires des services microfinanciers et se traduit par des conséquences économiques et sociales mesurables. A la lumière de preuves empiriques, nous sommes parvenus à la conclusion suivante : le capital institutionnel compte, à la fois comme outil analytique et comme actif véhiculé par les acteurs pour guider les comportements dans le sens du changement souhaité.

This thesis examines the trajectory and role of development within the context of transition from a command to market economy, in a northern region of the Lao PDR. It looks at how the long-term effects of development interventions have contributed to a context of regional integration where the role of foreign investment and the private sector are increasing. In particular, it examines the role of development interventions in the processes of diversification and differentiation that accompany market integration. The village of Ban Jai illustrates this process as a site where despite the failures of development projects a diversification of livelihoods have developed. The implementation of UNDP projects in Ban Jai raises questions regarding the role of international projects and suggests that rather than alleviating poverty they produce a chain of effects that contribute to the tensions that result from structural changes to the village household economy. My analysis examines the tensions produced by such shifts and how villagers negotiate their engagement with the market economy. The experience of women traders illustrates how relations of solidarity are reworked in an attempt to negotiate tensions produced through processes of market integration. As structural shifts take place with increasing economic integration, international agencies also respond in particular ways by shifting strategies. I also ask what changes shifts in strategy introduce at the local level and how this intersects with the way policies are rationalized by local officials and the UNDP. An examination of this trajectory over a period of two decades, suggests that changing strategies in development have involved a shifting role between international development organizations and the private sector. I ask what kind of context this intersection of structural shifts, policy shifts and institutional shifts produces on the ground and how such shifts are negotiated locally.

The following thesis is a qualitative comparative case study which investigated the values, practices, perspectives, and strategies of Indian and American community organizers (practitioners and volunteers of non-profits and non-governmental organizations) who use microfinance, including savings schemes, as an instrument within the social intermediation process of developing disadvantaged women's capacities for self-sufficiency/empowerment. The focused inquiry was conducted through similarly structured in-depth interviews of directors, staff members and volunteers/community-based organizers of a women's business center in Northern Virginia, a large U.S. metropolitan area, and a women's federation in the rural Himalayas of Uttarakhand, India. Interview questions focused on savings, social intermediation, and financial sustainability/subsidization, which are three significant facets of microfinance. Katz's framework for constructing analytical topographies, contour lines, and countertopographies was used to structure of the various levels of analysis. Contour lines were drawn from the similarities between the two organizations. Differences were explained by situating each organization in Mayoux's theoretical paradigms of "Women's Empowerment through Microfinance." Analyses concluded with the construction of countertopographies on practices and strategies aimed towards collectively empowering women in disparate places around the world.