Financial Distress and Bankruptcy : Cameroon Micro-Financial Institutions (MFIs)

In this paper, our focused was to analyze the causes of micro financial sector's instability and frequent bankruptcy in Cameroon. After a valid theoretical review, we identified three core sector`s destabilizing factors (loan delinquency, competition and limited capital in Cameroon. The regression result noted tense competition as the most influential variable to the shaking state of MFIs. Loan delinquency also surfaced as a determinant to MFIs bankruptcy. Even though we noticed no significant role of limited capital, we believed it has a great contribution, especially when MFIs are attacked by high default. We recommend to the government and regulatory authorities to take a step of downsizing at heart. It may create welfare loss, but will help to restore consumers' confidence and make this sector an “oasis” of financial services for the poor Cameroonian again