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
Publications
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
Use of Smartcards to Deliver Government Benefits in Andhra Pradesh
Since late 2007, Indian technology company Financial Information Networks and Operations (FINO), in collaboration with the state government of Andhra Pradesh and several partner banks, has delivered payments from two separate government programs – the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act … Read More
Geographic Distribution of Microfinance Services in India, 2007
IFMR LEAD systematically collected district-wise data on number of active borrowers and loans outstanding for several of India’s largest MFIs over three years as part of its Map of Microfinance project sponsored by the Swiss Agency for Cooperation and Development. … Read More
Microfinance Bill 2007
On 20th March 2007, the Union Government introduced the Micro Financial Sector Development and Regulation Bill 2007 in the Lok Sabha – the lower house in the parliament of India. If passed, this bill may change the way in which … Read More
Management Information Systems in Indian Microfinance
A high quality management information system (MIS) is a key component of any high performing microfinance institution (MFI). Information systems allow MFIs to reduce time spent on rote paperwork, effectively monitor both staff and clients, and quickly roll out new … Read More
Housing Microfinance: Designing a Product for the Rural Poor
This paper discusses the potential of providing housing finance to the poor through microfinance institutions (MFIs) and issues that are likely to arise in doing so. Using a demand assessment conducted at Ankuram Sangamam Porum (ASP) in Andhra Pradesh, the … Read More