Complementing Value Chains and Micro and Small Enterprise Growth, this course explores the history of microfinance and applies financial-sector tools to assess its potential. Reviewing case studies as well as examining policy and regulatory issues, considers programmatic, methodological, institutional and financial factors and covers the field’s best practices. Covers sources of financing, the relationship between microfinance and poverty and questions of competition and commercialization in the microfinance industry. Due to student demand for this topic, two sections of the course are offered. Both sections provide the concepts and skills that prepare students to take IDEV’s course, Advanced Topics in Microfinance.
Section 1 presents an overview of key issues involved in the design, management and evaluation of microfinance programs that target low-income clients.
Students acquire the following take-away skills: (1) to understand how microfinance integrates into the broader financial infrastructure; (2) to learn how to finance, administer and technically support microfinance programs; and (3) to know how to analyze and compare the performance of microfinance institutions in terms of both a financial and social bottom line.