This paper examines the relationship between competition and the performance of microfinance institutions (MFIs). We measure competition by constructing a Lerner index. Next, we assess the association between increased competition among MFIs on the one hand and outreach and loan repayment...

This paper investigates whether the country-level financial environment in which microfinance institutions (MFIs) have to work affects their operations. In particular, we argue that the efficiency of MFIs is determined by the extent to which financial markets of countries are developed. On the...

This paper uses stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) to examine whether there is a trade-off between outreach to the poor and efficiency of microfinance institutions (MFIs). Using a sample of more than 1,300 observations, our study suggests that outreach and efficiency of MFIs are indeed...

This paper investigates the impact of financial reform on bank efficiency. More specifically, we distinguish between financial liberalization measures and measures of the quality of bank regulation measures, and study their relationship to bank efficiency separately. Moreover, we analyze whether...