Purpose: The authors aim to examine how macro, meso and micro territorial boundaries influence the loan repayment performance of female clients of mega microfinance institutions (MFIs) operating in a polarized Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Design/methodology/approach: The study uses...

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) have been successful in providing credit to millions of low-income borrowers in groups previously excluded from formal financial services, but they often charge interest rates that many claim are excessive. We examine microfinance interest rates and their...

The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of current practice in microfinance guarantees, highlighting some of the lessons learned to date and issues to be addressed in the future. The paper?s annexes provide a partial inventory of guarantee funds operating in Latin America and the...