Microfinance Focus, Jan 24, 2010: The Microfinance Information Exchange, Inc, (The Mix) a business information and data services provider for the global microfinance industry releases a financial and performance benchmarks from 1,084 MFIs (microfinance institutions) throughout Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Latin America for calendar year 2008, providing the key insight into the impact of the global economic slowdown on the microfinance industry, according to a release. The featured report is the part of Latest MicroBanking Bulletin. "This data set is a view into the industry at the beginning of a challenging time for many microfinance providers. By the close of 2008, MFI growth rates had already begun to slow, and one of the first victims of the slower growth was operational efficiency," stated Blaine Stephens, COO and director of analysis at the Microfinance Information Exchange, Inc. (MIX).  "This likely is the result of two related factors: microfinance is a high touch business, and currently relies on significant human resources to deliver services to clients. Many MFIs made investments in training new staff in an expectation of steady growth rates, and when the economic slowdown hit, it left these organizations overstaffed. The other factor is raising portfolio arrears in a number of markets; causing staff to focus on ensuring current clients make payments, rather than sourcing new business."