This paper marshals substantial arguments and data to support the contention that improving the access of micro and small enterprises to financial services could have an important salutary impact on a country's income distribution. To demonstrate this, the paper shows first that many poor own or...

This paper presents a synopsis of the current state of the microfinance industry in Latin America. It provides a rough assessment of the achievement and outreach of the industry; it offers revealing information on the financial performance of 20 microfinance institutions; and it outlines some of...

The IDB Group, guided by its Strategy for Microenterprise Development, has made the creation of a sustainable market of services to the sector one of its most important priorities during the past decade. This report presents an overview of the contributions the IDB has made to the...

This evaluation examines the IDB's Country Program with Brazil for the 2007-2010 period. The evaluation found that the program with Brazil has been very relevant, because the IDB has been able to maintain its competitive advantage in the country by changing its business model in light of...

The object of this study (RE-317-2) is to evaluate the Bank's role in the fiscal sector of its borrowing member countries from 1990 to 2004, in order to extract learnings that can enhance the outcomes of the Bank's work in future, framed within its new business model (New Lending...

This presentation features the role of Credit Unions in the Caribbean. It explores how they foster business initiatives based on a co-operative model in order to develop small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

This presentation was commissioned by the Trade and Integration Network of the Regional Policy Dialogue for the 5th Hemispheric Meeting celebrated on August 14 and 15, 2003. This paper presents principles and a methodology that may contribute to improve the preparation of Financial Services...

Improved microfinance strategies in Peru have increased credit access for microentrepreneurs. To establish effective national credit reporting systems elsewhere in the region, ensured universal reporting cooperation, reliable identification, privacy and consumer protection are needed.