Banking With The Poor

Past Microfinance News
	2007 2006 2005 2004	2003 2002 2001
2007 March 2007 New BWTP Members The BWTP network would like to welcome our new members: Micro Innovation Centre for Resources & Alternatives (MICRA) (Indonesia) (PDF 68 KB) MICRA, founded in 2006, is an Indonesian foundation which focuses on the development of the microfinance industry. Centre for Self help Development (CSD) (Nepal) (PDF 75 KB) The Centre for Self-help Development is a national level non-profit and non- governmental organisation established in 1991 in Nepal. Other BWTP News CGAP 2006 Financial Transparency Awards We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate The First Microfinance Bank (Pakistan) and TSPI (Philippines) for being recognised in the CGAP 2006 Financial Transparency Awards. For further information about the winners and to learn more about the initiative click here. Microfinance News Call for Proposals on Promoting Innovative Migrant Remittance SystemsIFAD, EC, IDB, CGAP, the Government of Luxembourg and UNCDF have launched a US$10 million Financing Facility for Remittances (FFR) to reduce rural poverty and promote development within African, European, Middle Eastern, Asian, and Latin American countries. More…. Pakistan: Prudential Regulations for Microfinance Banks (MFBs) (PDF167KB ) This document contains regulations applicable to all Microfinance Banks licensed by the State Bank of Pakistan. Microfinance Regulation for Financial Inclusion: The ‘Street Child’ Needs Nurturing… (PDF 162 KB) This paper by Sanjay Sinha (M-CRIL) published in 2007, examines the regulatory response to MFI abuses in India and efforts to develop a regulatory framework for microfinance. Sinha’s paper is one of a series of essays commissioned by the Microfinance Regulation and Supervision Resource Centre. To view the Essays on Regulation and Supervision series click here. Access to Financial Services in Nepal (PDF 1.74 MB) This report published by the World Bank examines Nepal’s supply and demand for financial services and the constraints to increasing access to them, and offers recommendations for making the financial sector work for all of Nepal’s people, especially the poor. February Joint Press Release BWTP and Citi: 5 March 2007 (PDF 76KB) March 5, 2007. Hong Kong – Asia's microfinance industry will benefit from a new regional program announced today by Citi, the Foundation for Development Cooperation (FDC), and the Banking with the Poor Network (BWTP). A grant worth US$570,000 from the Citigroup Foundation will be used by FDC and BWTP to expand the provision of microfinance services across 10 Asian countries including India, Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. The two-year program will promote public-private partnerships and industry best practices that will help existing microfinance providers to expand the reach and range of services delivered to the poor. These efforts are also aimed at stimulating the development of more internationally recognized and commercially viable microfinance providers in Asia such as ASA, BRAC and Grameen Bank in Bangladesh. More... Letter from the BWTP Chairman Chandula Abeywickrema (Hatton Bank) Article from The Microfinance Gateway: Citigroup Partners with FDC, BWTP to Strengthen Microfinance in Asia New BWTP Programs The Citigroup Foundation’s renewed support over the next two years will provide the BWTP Network the opportunity to continue to improve the quality of life of the poor in Asia. It will do so by promoting and facilitating access to credit, savings instruments and other financial services through linkages between financial sector institutions (such as commercial banks), NGOs and SHGs. The Network will undertake the following programs: Linkages and Partnership Approach in Microfinance Partnerships and alliances between formal and less formal institutions are an alternative way of expanding financial services into rural areas. The essence of the partnership approach is to bring together complementary resources and skills from diverse sources drawing on each partner’s core strengths. Partnerships are a useful way to allow all partners the opportunity to overcome weaknesses and constrains which are not easy to overcome on their own. The BWTP Network is working to develop and disseminate a set of curriculum and training materials on the partnership approach, which will be delivered through in-country workshops in Asia. More... Paper: Partnerships in Microfinance: A Discussion Primer (PDF 404KB) Paul Greener, Senior Project Manager, (FDC) Best Practices Dissemination Across Asia there is a strong common need to build the capacity of microfinance providers to enable them to manage efficiently their traditional business of financial service provision. The BWTP Network seeks to provide assistance in this field by disseminating best practice models throughout Asia. The Network will draw on the experience of its members to develop the ‘younger’ members in the Network and to improve the capacity in countries or areas where microfinance and industry is less developed. In this context, workshops and technical assistance will be delivered throughout Asia. More... Dissemination of Disaster Management Curriculum The BWTP Networks previous work in the field of microfinance and capacity building in post-tsunami reconstruction has produced a package of high quality, multi-language training manuals and resources on “Microfinance and Disaster Management”. The resources include manuals, presentations and handouts which are currently available in five different languages with other languages expected in the future. The resources are available free-of-charge through a dedicated website. At this stage nearly 500 microfinance personnel have received the microfinance and disaster management training. The Network plans to make further use of these resources by generating a greater awareness of the issue among MFI managers. More.. 2nd International Asia Microfinance Forum in 2008 Given the success of the first Asia Microfinance Forum, the BWTP network will hold a second Forum in 2008. Consultation will start mid 2007. Other BWTP News Overview of Swabalamban Bikas Bank (Nepal) (PDF 277KB) Swabalamban Bikas Bank Ltd. (Literally means Self-help Development Bank Ltd.) is a Microfinance Development Bank. SB BAnk started its operations from January 14, 2002. Newsletter - Rural Microfinance Development Centre (Nepal) January 2007 (PDF 750KB) RMDC Disbursed 1.38 Billion Rupees A Study Visit to Bangladesh Performance of RMDC's Partner Microfinance Organisations New BWTP Members The BWTP network would like to welcome our new members: Bandhan-Konagar (India) (PDF 87KB) Swabalamban Bikas Bank (Nepal) (PDF 109KB) Lak Jaya (Sri Lanka) (PDF 18KB) Online Microfinance Portal for the Lao PDR opens The Microfinance Capacity Building and Research (MCBR) project is proud to announce the opening of the first Microfinance Website (http://www.microfinancelaopdr.org/) for the Lao PDR.This initiative has been implemented by the National Economic Research Institute (NERI),which is part of the Committee for Planning and Investment (CPI) within the Government of the Lao PDR. CGAP Virtual Conference on the Future of Microfinance 26th February – 2 March 2007 CGAP hosted a virtual conference entitled “Vision 2015: What Does the Future of Microfinance Hold?” A summary of discussions and comments from each day of the conference are available from: http://www.cgap.org/Vision2015/index.html. CGAP Portfolio Newsletter -Technology Issue February 2007 – Portfolio is now available as a bi-monthly e-newsletter. Highlights inside this edition include: How Will Technology Expand Access to Finance? Behind the Headlines: Harnessing the Telecom Explosion Mobile Phone Banking in South Africa MicroRating International (PDF - 67KB) M-CRIL and MicroRate – the two largest microfinance rating agencies in the world – announce the creation of a global alliance called, MicroRating International (MRI). The two agencies pioneered the rating of microfinance institutions (MFIs) and have now rated over 400 MFIs globally. Protecting the Poor: A Microinsurance Compendium (PDF - 2.2MB) The publication provides an overview of the field of microinsurance and considers in depth, product design, marketing, premium collection and governance. The Compendium was launched as a result of a research project produced by CGAP’s Working Group on Microinsurance into the experiences of microinsurance operations around the world and to identify good and bad practices. For further information regarding Microinsurance, visit The MicroInsurance Centre. 10 years of World Bank Support for Microcredit in Bangladesh December 2006 marked a decade of the World Bank’s support for Microcredit in Bangladesh. Through this support, more than 6 million poor have been reached through microfinance projects totalling US$260 million. During the decade, the World Bank through its Poverty Alleviation Microfinance Projects has expanded the outreach of microfinance programs and enhanced the institutional financial sustainability of Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) and it’s Partner Organizations (POs). *January* Online Microfinance Portal for the Lao PDR Opens The Microfinance Capacity Building and Research (MCBR) project is proud to announce the opening of the first Microfinance Website for the Lao PDR.This initiative has been implemented by the National Economic Research Institute (NERI),which is part of the Committee for Planning and Investment (CPI) within the Government of the Lao PDR. MicroRating International (PDF - 67KB) MicroRating International M-CRIL and MicroRate – the two largest microfinance rating agencies in the world – announce the creation of a global alliance called, MicroRating International (MRI). CGAP Virtual Conference on the Future of Microfinance 26th February – 2 March 2007 CGAP will host a virtual conference entitled “Vision 2015: What Does the Future of Microfinance Hold?” More… CGAP Portfolio Newsletter Technology Issue - February 2007 Highlights inside this edition include: How Will Technology Expand Access to Finance? Behind the Headlines: Harnessing the Telecom Explosion Mobile Phone Banking in South Africa Protecting the Poor: A Microinsurance Compendium (PDF - 2.2MB) The publication provides an overview of the field of microinsurance and considers in depth, product design, marketing premium collection and governance. For further information regarding Microinsurance, visit The MicroInsurance Centre. 10 years of World Bank Support for Microcredit in Bangladesh December 2006 marked a decade of the World Bank's support for microcredit in Bangladesh. Through this support, more than 6 million poor have been reached through Microfinance projects which have totaled US$260 million. 2006 *November* BWTP News Linkages and Partnerships in Microfinance - Workshop India, New Delhi – 29 November to 1 December The BWTP Network and EDA Rural Systems (India) will hold the first training course in India at the end of November. The event will be sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and Citigroup Foundation. The objective of the workshop is to raise the awareness and capacity of participating organizations to enter into innovative partnerships, to increase the outreach and raise the quality of microfinance services. Microfinance and Disaster Management: Training Resources "Microfinance and Disaster Management" has been the subject of a program of curriculum development and train-the-trainer workshops in the Tsunami-affected areas of India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. More.... New Member! SAJIDA Foundation Website. Member Profile Available here. (PDF 181KB) Top 100 microfinance institutions (MFIs) - Mix Global 100 We would like to congratulate our BWTP Members ASA and Shakti Foundation (Bangladesh), BRI (Indonesia) and TSPI and KMBI (Philippines), Seeds (Sri Lanka) for being included in the MIX Global 100: MFI League Tables. The tables are global rankings that highlight the performance of the leading 100 Microfinance institutions. For more details, click here. Rural Microfinance Development Centre (RMDC) Newsletter (PDF 2.8MB) Inside this edition: RMDC Disbursed 1, 165.7 Million Monetary Policy 2006 - 07 related to Microfinance Program Transformation for a laborer Sita into a entrepreneur RMDC convened Eighth Annual General Meeting Nepalese MFI officials visited Bangladeshi Microfinance Institutions Press meet on Micro Credit Summit Campaign Report Rural Link - Hatton National Bank Newsletter (PDF 3.79MB) Inside this edition: Corporate Management gets firsthand experience on Gami Pubuduwa Micro Insurance Product under Gami Pubuduwa HNB's Partnership with German Savings Banks' foundation Gami Pubuduwa assists fisher folk women to develop as a society Friends of Women’s World Banking (FWWB) - Weather Insurance Scheme Agriculture is still a dominant sector in India, contributing to around 24% of GDP. The sector is extremely prone to inclement weather, which has the potential to adversely affect farmers and MFIs. In this context, FWWB piloted a weather risk insurance scheme with its partner NGO ’s based in Yavatmal, India. Microfinance News Global Microcredit Summit 2006 The Global Microcredit Summit was held in Halifax, Canada from the 12th to the 15th of November. More than 1,100 delegates signed a declaration of support for new goals that, if achieved, would dramatically expand the reach of microcredit. Global Micro Credit Summit's paper from RMDC - Nepal: Accessing Loans and Grants from Bilateral and Multilateral Agencies for MFIs (PDF 99KB) Sri Lanka Microfinance network Lanka Microfinance Network is the first network initiated among Micro Finance Practitioners in Sri Lanka. CGAP Technology Program to Support "Branchless Banking" Projects CGAP's Technology Program invites concept notes for projects that test technology-based approaches to delivering financial services, especially in the most challenging markets not yet reached by microfinance. The deadline for the first round of proposals is January 2, 2007. Publications FDC's new publication: Remittances, Microfinance and Development: building the links - Volume 1: a global view The volume responds to growing interest in the potential of microfinance to leverage the developmental impacts of remittances, by bringing together the work of prominent academics and practices in Africa, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region. It is intended as a resource for donors, policy-makers and practitioners in designing policies and systems that maximize the developmental impacts of remittances. MIX Releases “2005 MIX Global 100: MFI League Tables” at the MicroCredit Summit 2006 (PDF 322KB) "2005 MIX Global 100: MFI League Tables" are global rankings that highlight the performance of the leading 100 microfinance institutions (MFIs) worldwide in six areas of performance: Outreach, Scale, Profitability, Efficiency, Productivity and Portfolio Quality. Asia microfinance grows, but lacks transparency says MIX benchmark report 2005 (PDF 239KB) The report provides detailed market analysis based on outreach and performance information for 101 leading microfinance institutions in South and East Asia, managing over US$4 billion in loans and serving an impressive 22.5 million borrowers. ACCION Releases New Publication 'Microfinance through the Next Decade' (PDF 1.4MB) This paper commissioned by the Microcredit Summit, considers the key change agents and challenges that the authors sees shaping the microfinance industry through the next ten years. October Microfinance and Disaster Management: Training Resources Most microfinance institutions (MFIs) cannot ignore the possibility of being impacted by natural disasters. Many operate in communities and regions where natural disasters are an annual event. MFIs are in a unique position to help the poor protect themselves and their assets so that if disaster strikes, they can rebuild their lives. "Microfinance and Disaster Management" has been the subject of a program of curriculum development and train-the-trainer workshops in the Tsunami-affected areas of India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. These resources are designed to help MFIs develop strategies for disaster preparedness, and to respond more effectively in the wake of a natural disaster. More.... New Member! Bullock-Cart Workers Development Associate (BWDA) India Microfinance Bulletin for Lao PDR (235 KB PDF) October 2006 Inside this edition: ADB Rural and Microfinance Global Microcredit Summit 2006 Microfinance on the Web Village Banking Workshops Northern Microfinance Workshop Kiva - Loans That Change Lives Kiva.org is the first person-to-person micro-lending Web site, creating a way for individuals to connect with and make personal loans to small businesses in developing countries. Kiva's goal is to reduce poverty in developing countries by giving entrepreneurs the ability to build their businesses through flexible loans. Tsunami Evaluation Coalition Synthesis Report July 2006 This key report on the tsunami relief effort is accompanied by a series of thematic papers. It identifies key lessons learnt and an agenda for future reforms including how to better engage with local structures. World Bank East Asia and Pacific Monthly News The World Bank's East Asia & Pacific (EAP) newsletter had to be interrupted for a few months. It is now back and it will continue to keep you up to date on the Bank's work in the region, summarizing the news and information published over the past month in the EAP site. The Microfinance Rating Market Outlook (218 KB PDF) The Rating Fund Market Survey 2005 Microfinance rating services are playing a key role in helping MFIs to improve performance and to source commercial capital. Consequently, these services have gained increased attention from investors, microfinance providers, and donors. This report presents and analyses global data on microfinance rating services, including key characteristics across and within regions. Microfinance Pasifika The Microfinance Pasifika Network was formally launched on 16th and 17th of June 2006 in Port Vila, Vanuatu. For more information please visit www.microfinance-pasifika.org Asia Microfinance Forum 21-24 March, 2006 Partnerships and Innovations: Increasing the Impact of Microfinance in Asia The Asia Microfinance Forum, held in Beijing on March 21-24, reflected the movement of microfinance into the mainstream. The forum attracted over 280 participants from more than 20 countries and representing both large and small MFIs, central banks, commercial banks and private investors, as well as a significant number of microfinance experts, consultants,academics and practitioners by the Banking With The Poor (BWTP) Network and the Foundation for Development Cooperation (FDC), with lead sponsorship from the Citigroup Foundation, the forum focused on how partnerships between MFIs, governments and commercial financial institutions can create a better environment for microfinance services. For more general information regarding the forum visit the web site. September MCBR Microfinance Newsletter (Laos) (1,205 KB PDF) August 2006 The 5th edition of the microfinance newsletter from The Microfinance Capacity Building and Research Project in Laos is available. Inside this edition: Domestic developments in the microfinance sector Developments in MCBR program The international microfinance sector Microfinance articles written and compiled by MCBR staff 3-5th October 2006: Participatory Project Management Workshop in Brisbane, Australia. For more information click here. ProMIS Promotion of the Microfinance sector. ProMiS is a comprehensive cooperation program implemented by the Ministry of Finance, Sri Lanka, in collaboration with German Technical Cooperation (GTZ). The overall goal of ProMiS is to enhance and improve in a sustainable manner, the services offered by selected microfinance institutions (MFIs) to the poorer sections of society and to micro and small enterprises. The aim of the web site is to form the national online portal for microfinance in Sri Lanka with valuable information for a broader public outside Sri Lanka. For more information please click www.microfinance.lk Microfinance course in Sydney. For more information click here. Asia Resource Center for Microfinance (ARCM) a one-stop learning and information hub for Banking with the Poor Network (BWTP) members and other microfinance actors in Asia. New! Expansion of the ARCM: Microfinance Country Profiles Case Studies 2005 June Pan Asia Forum on Capacity Building for Microfinance in Crisis Situations (external web site) Colombo, Sri Lanka, 13-15 June, 2005 2004 December Message from SANASA in Sri Lanka February Associated Session 'Regional Cooperation in Microfinance' organized by the BWTP Network at the Microcredit Summit regional meeting in Dhaka January - March Banking with the Poor Network: new activities in South Asia January BWTP New Governing body elected 2003 April BWTP Executive Committee approves new business plan January Banking with the Poor Network completes membership survey 2002 October BWTP Network considers future options 2001 November Independent review of ten years of Banking with the Poor, FDC's microfinance program (1991-2001)

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