Microfinance: A Practitioner's Handbook

The microfinance sector has survived the risks posed by the global economic crisis and the controversy of the industry’s mission. Amid changing perceptions of microfinance as a panacea to eradicating global poverty, there remain many positives for the quest of achieving a sustainable microfinance sector which combines its social objectives with the more demanding commercial world in which it operates. However, there are larger questions over the future direction of the microfinance sector, addressed by this new book.

Microfinance is at a crossroads. This timely book draws on the views of different market participants, which will help to shape the road ahead for the industry. The sector will only fulfill its ultimate potential when the participants work together in a collaborative and coordinated effort.

Specific chapters are dedicated to providing the broadest spectrum of opinion on challenges and key issues, including the future of the microfinance sector and consideration of the sector from an investor’s perspective, while also dealing with more specific areas, including the regulation of the sector, the role of innovations such as mobile banking, governance and sustainability and the role of capital markets for financing – each of which will be critical for the growth of a sustainable microfinance sector. This book also provides a thoughtful analysis of the crisis in Indian microfinance and the lessons to be learned.

Edited by Ranajoy Basu, a senior structured finance and capital markets lawyer who also spearheads the global social impact finance group at Reed Smith, this unique publication will provide practical, commercial and candid guidance from an array of thought leaders in the microfinance sector. It will serve as a useful guide to the vital issues and will assist the reader in grasping the challenges and trends that will underpin the growth of this evolving and growing sector.

This new handbook will serve as an indispensable tool for lawyers, academics, regulators, students, microfinance practitioners and impact investors in understanding the key hurdles facing the microfinance sector and the road ahead for future development.