Microfinance Handbook: An Institutional and Financial Perspective (Sustainable Banking With the Poor) |  | Author: Joanna Ledgerwood
Creators: Ian Johnson, Jean-Michel Severino
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Category: Book
List Price: $39.95
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Rating:  5 reviews
Sales Rank: 118,882
Media: Paperback
Pages: 304
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.8
ISBN: 0821343068
Dewey Decimal Number: 332.2
EAN: 9780821343067
ASIN: 0821343068
Publication Date: March 1, 2001
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Product Description
Microfinance is not simply banking; it is a development tool. It has been estimated that there are 500 million economically active poor people in the world operating microenterprises and small businesses. Most of them do not have access to adequate financial services. The purpose of this Handbook is to bring together in a single source guiding principles and tools that will promote sustainable microfinance and create viable institutions. The Handbook takes a global perspective, drawing on lessons learned from the experiences of microfinance practitioners, donors, and others throughout the world. This volume covers extensively matters pertaining to the regulatory and policy framework and the essential components of institutional capacity building, such as product design, performance measuring and monitoring, and management of microfinance institutions. The handbook has three parts. "Issues in Microfinance Provision," Part I, takes a macroeconomic perspective toward general microfinance issues and is primarily nontechnical. "Designing and Monitoring Financial Products and Services," Part II, narrows its focus to the provision of financial intermediation, taking a more technical approach and moving progressively toward more specific (or micro) issues. "Measuring Performance and Managing Viability," Part III, is the most technical part of the handbook, focusing primarily on assessing the viability of microfinance institutions.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Must read primer for microfinance implementors May 1, 2006
R. Chaffee (Fairacres, NM USA)
15 out of 15 found this review helpful
This handbook provides novices, professionals, - and skeptics - with the information they need to move through the microfinance world with confidence gained through an understanding of microfinance principles and practices. Ms. Ledgerwood's book has been an essential reference in analyzing and developing microfinance programs throughout the world, and is required reading for many MFI implementers new to the trade.
This is the place to start for Microfinance December 20, 2006
Lehigh History Student
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
For those interested in Microfinance this is a must have for any library. It covers the basics of Microfinance including whose involved and where it is succeeding. It is really more of a reference guide than anything else and is very helpful for those starting out. I found it invaluable for writing papers related to microfinance. If you are going into this field or have an interest in international economics/ international political economy this is a must read.
In-depth review of microfinance February 3, 2010
J. Vasilius (Tucson, Arizona, USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Microfinance Handbook is invaluable for those who wish to avoid polemics. Recent popular literature has tended to paint microfinance as either a cure-all for development woes, or a post-colonial demon. The authors avoid either extreme, instead, concentrating on actual experience. For a balanced and in-depth view this book is invaluable. Instead of a once-over lightly, the book provides detailed information on a wide range of perspectives. One caveat: Economic or business knowledge is needed to understand the book. This is not intended to scare readers away, but if you lack a solid econ background it could be boring and confusing. While I found the book challenging, I learned a tremendous amount about the risks and benefits of microfinance.
 If you want a good introduction to microfinance, this is it. September 1, 2005
S. Kraeger (Wilmot, NH)
7 out of 9 found this review helpful
This is an excellent book to get a good overvivew of microfinance and how it works. It offers excellent forms to set up a successful program. I found it exceptionally helpful.
Excellent June 1, 2009
Lynley (San Francisco, CA USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This book provides a thorough understanding of all concepts necessary in understanding Microfinance - everything from various interest rates to types of software. There are many great examples of organizations around the world and the way they operate. This provides great context to the learning.
My one complaint is that it does not include open-source MIS in its review or discuss the ethical issues with some of the topics discussed.
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