Greater financial intermediation has a positive impact on economic development of a country and banks can play a stabilizing role in an era of rising income inequality. Despite numerous models such as priority sector lending, SHG model, Correspondent banking, RRBs, UCBs, etc. the agenda of...

How to develop in third world countries a sector of viable financial institutions with sustainable financial services for the whole populace including the poor? During the 90s an answer to that question is being sought in the field of microfinance, which comprises formal and nonformal financial...

Indonesia is a country with a deregulated policy environment in which microfinance institutions (MFIs) abound. Between 1970 and 1993 poverty has been drastically reduced from 60% to 14%. Three factors have been instrumental: explicit government policies, sustained economic growth and, since...

This paper surveys recent research on micro-finance and suggests directions for future research. New empirical evidence has emerged, and new theoretical models have resolved some issues. The paper selectively examines recent findings, particularly theoretical and empirical works that deal with...