While looking at the usual news updates at the CMF E-Library, I happened to come across an article originally posted at the Economic Times some time ago about a new announcement coming from the RBI. Here is the link: Click … Read More
Hedging Against Yourself
Most of us might have a vague idea of what retirement should be like. Some of us might even have started planning for it. The rest of us are probably waiting for one of our ‘future selves’ to do it. … Read More
Microfinance and Inclusive Growth: What are the Measures of Success or Learning?
This post is the detailed description of session one of the Financial Inclusion 2012 Conference. The aim of this session was to lay out the distinct features of microfinance that have a positive impact on the lives of its clients. … Read More
Newsletter Article – What is Rainfall Insurance? Advantages and Key Bottlenecks
Despite the gradual increase in irrigation, almost 65% of the Indian agricultural sector still depends on erratic and unpredictable monsoons. Cropping decisions- like which crop to plant, time of sowing, which inputs to use- generally depend on the advent of … Read More
Newsletter Article – Microsavings – Marketing and Impact Experiments
The Centre for Microfinance (CMF) brings to the spotlight the research agenda in various facets of the financial inclusion agenda, including results from rigorous social experiments[i] around the world as well as the policy agenda for which this research is … Read More
Newsletter Article – Measuring Financial Literacy
The case of little response from the target population towards both the conventional and innovative financial products in rural areas has received a lot of global attention. It has been suggested that low literacy levels and, more importantly, the lack … Read More
Newsletter Article – Rethinking RBI’s Regulations for MFIs
The Microfinance Institutions Bill has been cleared by the Union Cabinet and introduced to the Lok Sabha. If approved, MFIs would by regulation be required to register with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) … Read More
Newsletter Article – Digital Data Collection – Experiences from Uttar Pradesh
In partnership with FINO, CMF is evaluating a door-to-door step banking services, FINO has a network of Business Correspondents or Bandhus, who open no-frills savings accounts with the Union Bank for the clients. They operate in areas where formal banking services … Read More
Digital Data Collection vs. Data Collection on Paper
While digital data collection is a significant departure from the usual paper and pen data collection method, there are both advantages and disadvantages to each data collection method. However, digital data collection is a step into the future because it … Read More
Is Microfinance Responsible for Everything?
“Profiteers have hijacked the microfinance“; that is what a new book written by Hugh Sinclair alleges. I am not denying that many from this industry are making profit. However, time and again, i am tempted to ask the critics of … Read More