This case study takes an in-depth look at the first acquisition in Indian microfinance, Sonata Finance’s purchase of Jeevika Livelihood Support Organisation’s entire microfinance operations in August 2007. The insights presented in the case study will be useful for microfinance … Read More
Publications
Impact of Business Training on Microfinance Clients
This document summarizes initial results from a CMF impact evaluation on the effects of business training among SEWA Bank clients. This study examines the impact of a short training course on business and financial skills for self-employed women in Ahmedabad.
Environmental Sustainability Index for Indian States: Informing Environmental Action
The Environmental sustainability index tracks the environment performance of 28 states of India and projects the ability of the states to protect their environment in the coming years. Collating secondary data from published and credible sources, ESI measures the state … Read More
Fighting Malaria with Microfinance: A Case Study on Biswa Microfinance Utilizing Microcredit Contracts to Increase the Use of Insecticide Treated Bednets
This case study sheds light on BISWA microfinance’s pilot project in which they offered self-help group (SHG) members across 50 villages the opportunity to purchase ITNs through cash or credit contracts. The case study focuses on the process of developing … Read More
The Importance of Hold-up in Contracting : Evidence from a Field Experiment
This paper explores how the relationship specificity of an investment affects the ex-ante structure of contracts and the ex-post resolution of an ensuing hold-up problem.
Cost-Benefit and Usage Behaviour Analysis of No Frills Accounts: A Study Report on Cuddalore District
This report presents insights from a study that aimed to analyze the results of the no frills financial inclusion drive in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu in terms of coverage by geographical and other categories, cost involved in account opening … Read More
Weather Insurance, Price Information, and Hedging: Helping the Poor Manage Risk
This brief presents insights from a research project that explores the impact of a complementary pair of products that will enable poor farmers to better manage agricultural risk, especially by helping them accumulate assets and increase productivity even in the … Read More
Repayment Frequency and Default in Microfinance: Evidence from India
In stark contrast to bank debt contracts, most microfinance contracts require that repayments start nearly immediately after loan disbursement and occur weekly thereafter. Even though economic theory suggests that a more flexible repayment schedule would benefit clients and potentially improve … Read More
India’s Parliament as a Representative Institution
This article looks at the institutional framework for parliamentary debate in India in comparative perspective. Participation in debate and policymaking is fundamental to representation, yet most of India’s representatives have limited resources and opportunities to do so in comparison to … Read More
Meeting the Needs of the Unbanked in Jharkhand
To better understand Jharkhand’s challenges in achieving financial inclusion and economic growth, this case study gathers a wide range of perspectives on the status and future potential of expanding the outreach of financial services in the state’s banking and non-banking … Read More