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Universal Life Insurance in India: the need for an evolving solution

By A.M. Godbole, Microfinance Focus, October 22, 2012: In its 21st September 2012 draft on a standard product for Rural and Social Sector the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) says “IRDA shall prescribe annual target so as to cover entire BPL population in the next 5...

Interview with Prof. Dr. Hans Dieter Seibel: Regulation, Savings and The History of Microfinance

Microfinance Focus, October 22, 2012: With European Microfinance Week fast approaching, we at Microfinance Focus thought it appropriate to interview influential members of the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP) and get their perspective on current events. In this interview, Dr. Hans...

Islamic Financial System, Pak’s hope towards the better

Microfinance Focus, April 5, 2012: The International Conference Pak Finance 2012 was held recently with the economic thought of how to promote and develop Islamic Finance to enhance its outreach in Pakistan. This event which was held on 28-29th of March was organized by eTechnologies and...

Repairing a Tarnished Image: a Plea for Transparency in Indian Microfinance

By Daniel Rozas, Microfinance Focus, March 28, 2012: Last month, the headlines of the world’s papers read déjà vu. “Suicides in India linked to microfinance debt.” “SKS Microfinance implicated in farmer suicides.” The headlines may have differed, but the article was one and the same,...

Global Microcredit Summit 2011 Report

By Sam Mendelson, A Special Report from Microfinance Focus (Official Media Partner - Global Microcredit Summit 2011) Microfinance Focus, December 8, 2011: Monday, November 14th 2011 saw the culmination of several years of delicate preparation in a packed conference centre in Valladolid,...

Pigs will never fly again: The Regulatory Trigger

By Shakespeare Walla, Microfinance Focus, December 9, 2011: Current sentiment around commercial financial inclusion (microfinance, business correspondents or anything to do with banking the poor) is at historic rock bottom. Government has over the past 2-3 years systemically tightened...