In this video, Mark Pickens, Microfinance Analyst, CGAP, describes the characteristics and features of Biashara Imara, the individual loan product of Equity Bank Kenya. Biashara Imara means “strong, solid business.” He also describes the profile of clients that Biashara Imara is designed to target at. Elaborating the client base of Biashara Imara, Elizabeth Wambui Gathai Head of Microcredit, Equity Bank, describes that Biashara Imara has been developed for small business owners; market traders; shopkeepers etc. and is designed to function in a non-conventional manner.
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Equity Bank Employees’ Market led Success-Equity Bank Kenya
The video depicts the journey of Equity Bank Kenya from a Society to a commercial Bank. The Equity Bank business model has attracted both local and international recognition. Equity has also become a hub of other institutions worldwide keen on learning and exchanging insights on the Equity model of extending financial services to the low income segment and the un-banked population. The CEO and other employees discuss the challenges faced in this journey and the methods adopted by Bank to overcome them. It also has testimonials from clients of Equity Bank.
Reaching Remote Areas – A Case For North East India
Unfolding the limitations faced by the poor due to lack of financial access, this note draws attention to the indicators for financial inclusion in the North Eastern states of India. It underlines the geographical diversity in the North East, highlighting the fact micro and small enterprises thrive in the region quite well and that they are mostly dependent on informal sources. It also gives a dismal picture of growth of microfinance in the North Eastern area. It suggests that a start up & capacity building fund, technical service providers, building institutional mechanisms for effective interventions, would lead to a better development of the North East Indian microfinance sector.
Microfinance in Bangladesh BRAC
In this video, Senior Microfinance Specialist of CGAP Syed Hashemi talks about the common vision of Muhammad Yunus and Fazle Hasan Abed i.e social transformation. Hashemi describes the different methods followed by both leaders to build a society where the poor were integrated in the development process. He explains in detail about the organisational structure of Grameen Bank and BRAC outlining their similarities and differences. Hashemi further elaborates the functions of BRAC and how it has successfully made inroads into other development efforts such as education, health etc. through multi-sector approach.
What Does Competition Mean For Indian MFIs?
This note talks about competition in the Indian microfinance market. Historically, the MFIs in India enjoyed the low competition period which allowed them to focus on the methodology and management systems necessary to reach scale and sustainability. The focus note draws lessons from Bangladesh, Bolivia and Uganda for the future of microfinance in India. It reviews the issues related to over indebtedness, demanding/discerning clients, niche market and price based differentiation and the implications on each of the factors on Indian MFIs.
Microfinance in Bangladesh: Grameen Bank
In this video, Senior Microfinance Specialist of CGAP Syed Hashemi discusses the principles and features of microfinance in Bangladesh. Talking about the success of microfinance in the country, Hashemi applauds dynamic leaders such as Muhammad Yunus, Fazle Hasan Abed who have used microfinance as an anti-dote for poverty in post-liberalised Bangladesh. Hashemi highlights the role of Grameen Bank and BRAC that have not only provided economic strength through loans and safe savings but has transformed society by bringing women in the mainstream which today accounts for their huge customer base.