By Microfinance Focus, on October 25th, 2010% Microfinance Focus, October 2010 (Colombo): Prominent leaders of microfinance have gathered to give their insights on current issues in microfinance during the Asia Microfinance Forum 2010. Here is a recap of some of the memorable quotes.
“I will say, be true to your wife and true to your model.”
-P.N. Vasudevan, on MFIs beginning with novel ideas then shifting to money-making models
“We have talked of all sorts of crisis but maybe we are facing a crisis of . . . → Read More: Asia Microfinance Forum 2010: Food for Thought (Quotes)
By Microfinance Focus, on October 15th, 2010% Asia Microfinance Forum Mementos to take home
Microfinance Focus, Oct 15, 2010 (Colombo) : The Asia Microfinance Forum 2010 which gathered more than 450 experts from over 50 countries was concluded today in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Convened by the Banking With the Poor Network (BWTP) and organised by the Foundation for Development Cooperation (FDC), the three day forum brought together industry experts to brainstorm on the role of microfinance in achieving financial inclusion in Asia.
Over the three days period, experts discussed . . . → Read More: Closing Keynote: Asia Microfinance Forum 2010
By Microfinance Focus, on October 15th, 2010% John Conroy, Special Consultant, FDC (Australia)
Microfinance Focus, Oct 15, 2010 (Colombo) : On the final day of Asia Microfinance Forum 2010, the Banking With the Poor Network (BWTP) awarded its inaugural BWTP Chairman Special Recognition Award to John Conroy for his inspiring contribution to BWTP Network. The award was one of the milestones of the forum and was presented by Chandula Abeywickrema, Chairman of BWTP Network.
John Conroy is a Special Consultant to the Foundation for Development Corporation (FDC) and . . . → Read More: John Conroy receives Inaugural BWTP Chairman Special Recognition Award
By Microfinance Focus, on October 15th, 2010% Microfinance Focus, Oct 15, 2010 (Colombo): Field Officers who are the central stakeholder and face of the microfinance organizations are crucial to the growth of microfinance sector and their capacity building is essential for achieving financial inclusion. These were the thoughts that emerged during the panel discussion on Human Resources at the Asia Microfinance Forum 2010.
As the frontline staff of the microfinance industry, field officers and other branch staff play a central role in implementing their MFIs’ mission and achieving maximum . . . → Read More: Human Resources: The Role of Field Officers & Robust HR Policy
By Microfinance Focus, on October 15th, 2010% Microfinance Focus, Oct 15, 2010: Geographic exclusion, whether due to the extreme size of a country like India, large numbers of Foreign Workers from the Philippines working overseas, or the hilly regions of Nepal, is a huge challenge for the microfinance industry. At one of the panels of Asia Microfinance Forum 2010, a group of panellist discussed the alternative channels which can deal with these challenges.
Ms. Ayesha Baig, Manager of Product Development at The First Bank of Pakistan which offers . . . → Read More: Alternative Delivery Channels – Overcoming Geographic Exclusion
By Microfinance Focus, on October 15th, 2010% From left: William Tucker, P.N. Vasudevan, Royston Braganza, John Conroy
Microfinance Focus, October 15, 2010 (Colombo) : William Tucker moderated and actively engaged the panel and audience in one of the most lively and insightful Q&A.
Comment from audience: Royston, I agree with everything you said, except for one small point, which will change the direction of our discussion completely. About whether commercial capital is desirable. What happened in India was the advent of commercial capital (referring to recent . . . → Read More: Q&A : Responsible Lending – A New Industry Benchmark?
By Microfinance Focus, on October 15th, 2010% From left: William Tucker, P.N. Vasudevan, Royston Braganza, John Conroy
Microfinance Focus, October 15, 2010 (Colombo) : Royston Braganza, CEO of Grameen Capital (India) began his discussion by underlining the need to regulate rural India. He said, “The loot and scoot practices of MFIs are still functioning. Most of the top MFIs and bulk of the MFI activities are located in Andhra Pradesh and there has been loan repayment crisis due to multiple borrowing in this area. Government is . . . → Read More: Responsible Lending: A New Industry Benchmark? (Royston Braganza)
By Microfinance Focus, on October 15th, 2010% From left: William Tucker, P.N. Vasudevan, Royston Braganza, John Conroy
Microfinance Focus, October 15, 2010 (Colombo) : Moderator of the session, William Tucker, added on to the points by John and the audience before introducing the next speaker. “Ultimately competition will drive down interest rates. We have seen declining interest rate because of enhanced competition in countries like Cambodia. Right now, we are receiving negative reports about high interest rates. Now Sri Lanka is also considering interest rate caps. Before . . . → Read More: Responsible Lending: A New Industry Benchmark? (P.N. Vasudevan)
By Microfinance Focus, on October 15th, 2010% From left: William Tucker, P.N. Vasudevan, Royston Braganza, John Conroy
Microfinance Focus, October 15, 2010 (Colombo) : The assumption that microfinance is contributing to poverty alleviation and is benefiting the households of poor clients, predominantly women, has come under increasing scrutiny in recent years, internationally and in Asia. This is difficult topic for the industry to address; nevertheless, several industry leaders are working toward negotiating a consensus amongst the industry as to what responsible lending/pricing means. Interest rate caps . . . → Read More: Responsible Lending: A New Industry Benchmark? (John Conroy)
By Microfinance Focus, on October 15th, 2010% Microfinance Focus, October 15, 2010 (Colombo) : Another engaging session facilitated by Kelly Hattel, SEEP Network Consultant from USA.
Kelly: Leah in your experience, what are the most challenging issues for MFIs in client protection?
Leah: Many feel that client protection is all about avoiding over-indebtedness and how to set their policies. Smart Campaign defines over-indebtedness as “carefully establishing a borrower’s ability to repay a loan and the borrower must be able to carry out their debt services . . . → Read More: Q&A: How do MFIs Mainstream Client Protection?
By Microfinance Focus, on October 15th, 2010% Microfinance Focus, October 15, 2010 (Colombo) : Ruben de Lara, Executive Director, TSPI, (Philippines), reviewed the current client protection scene, saying, “I will not cover the principles, and I think client protection goes beyond microfinance, knowing that MF alone is not enough to eradicate poverty. The TSPI have come up with a holistic approach, we will continue to focus on doing all those that is right in a sustainable manner to deliver the poor out of poverty, through the way . . . → Read More: Client Protection: How do MFIs mainstream client protection? (Ruben de Lara)
By Microfinance Focus, on October 15th, 2010% Microfinance Focus, October 15, 2010 (Colombo) : Addressing the conference to give an investor’s perspective, Matteo Marinelli, Senior Investment Analyst of Blue Orchard, said, “It is not surprising for an investor to talk about client protection. I am based in Cambodia and in charge of the portfolio from Southeast Asia. Let me first share our investor company background. We are an asset investor, our mission is to bridge the gap of capital markets and MFIs. 100% of our investment is . . . → Read More: Client Protection: How do MFIs mainstream client protection? (Matteo Marinelli)
By Microfinance Focus, on October 15th, 2010% Microfinance Focus, October 14, 2010 (Colombo) : A three day milestone event in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Asia Microfinance Forum 2010 is convened by The Banking With the Poor Network (BWTP) and organised by The Foundation for Development Cooperation (FDC), with the Citi Foundation as Lead Sponsor, and Hatton National Bank as Local Host.
Lara Storm
AFM 2010 featured in the press (Daily FT)
Presentation example of success story
Series of workshops and networking meetings
. . . → Read More: Asia Microfinance Forum 2010 at a glance [Day 2]
By Microfinance Focus, on October 14th, 2010% Microfinance Focus, October 14, 2010 (Colombo) : Chandula Abeywickrema, Chairman of BWTP Network and Deputy GM (Marketing & Retail Banking) of Hatton National Bank, introduced the guest speaker, whose stage appearance at the forum was brought forward due to unforeseen circumstances. Mr Chandula announced, “We are indeed privileged to recognize the presence of Dr Sarath Amunugama, despite his mother’s passing away in the early morning of this day. He has also just arrived back from New York from a conference. . . . → Read More: Speech by Sri Lanka Minister of Finance
By Microfinance Focus, on October 14th, 2010% Microfinance Focus, October 13, 2010 (Colombo) : A three day milestone event in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Asia Microfinance Forum 2010 is convened by The Banking With the Poor Network (BWTP) and organised by The Foundation for Development Cooperation (FDC), with the Citi Foundation as Lead Sponsor, and Hatton National Bank as Local Host.
Delegates in panel session
Asia Microfinance Forum 2010
Registration of delegates
Conference Pack and Traditional Oil Lamp Momento (inside)
The Venue . . . → Read More: Asia Microfinance Forum 2010 at a glance [Day 1]
By Microfinance Focus, on October 14th, 2010% Microfinance Focus, Oct0ber 14, 2010 (Colombo) : At the Asia Microfinance Forum 2010, Microfinance Focus conducted an Opinion Poll to gauge the views and trends of the microfinance industry. Out of the 450 delegates who attended the forum, 144 participated in the poll and expressed their views on five issues including microfinance contribution to financial inclusion, impact of commercialization on the sector, relevance of client protection and social performance, role of governments in creating enabling environments and the role of . . . → Read More: Microfinance Focus Poll Results: House believes governments not doing enough
By Microfinance Focus, on October 14th, 2010% From left: Alok Prasad, Liz Larson, Michael Rabonza, Femeke Bos, Ravi Tissera
Microfinance Focus, October 14, 2010 (Colombo): Providing an overview of the current investment landscape for Asia, a panel of development and investment specialist discussed the expectations, experiences and recommendations of investors in a panel discussion entitled ‘Investing in Asia: Opportunities, Challenges and Impact’ at the Asia Microfinance Forum 2010 today in Sri Lanka.
Liz Larson, Asia Regional Manager, MIX, USA, introduced MIX funding structure Data Set to . . . → Read More: Investing in Asia : Opportunities, Challenges and Impact
By Microfinance Focus, on October 14th, 2010% Microfinance Focus, October 14, 2010 (Colombo) : An interactive Q&A session with many hands, questions and points raised, most unfortunate to be curbed by time constraints. An insightful session facilitated by Paula Bennett, Director of Corporate Citizenship, Citi Asia Pacific.
Question: Regarding financial literacy, they are non-financial services. Do you have to partner with other companies or even international organisations to carry it out? I am from Bangladesh and our government is beginning to put an interest cap to MFIs . . . → Read More: Q&A : Financial Literacy – Who’s Responsibility?
By Microfinance Focus, on October 14th, 2010% From right: Valerie Breda, Samadanie, Paula Bennett, Benita Matthew
Microfinance Focus, October 14, 2010 (Colombo) : Valerie Breda, Microfinance Expert of ILO Regional Office for Asia (Thailand), said considerately, “As the 3rd speaker, I hope everyone is not too hungry so I will make it short. Yesterday when we were discussing this topic of financial literacy among the panelists, Paula asked “what is your own level of financial literacy?”. We joked that there is thin scope of improvement. I . . . → Read More: Financial Literacy : Who’s Responsibility? (Valerie Breda)
By Microfinance Focus, on October 14th, 2010% Microfinance Focus, October 14, 2010 (Colombo) : Samadanie Kiriwandeniya from SANASA shared her thoughts on Sri Lankan developments. She said, ” Good morning, the theoretical aspects of financial literacy has been covered very widely and is quite relevant to the Sri Lanka context. Just to share with you, SANASA Development Bank began as a cooperative society. Cooperative societies has been in Sri Lanka for over 30 years. Cooperative societies are like people who come together, alittle like SHGs but slightly . . . → Read More: Financial Literacy : Who’s Responsibility? (Samadanie Kiriwandeniya)
By Microfinance Focus, on October 14th, 2010% Benita Sarah Matthew
Microfinance Focus, October 14, 2010 (Colombo) : An essential determinant of inclusion is the capacity of clients to fully engage with financial institutions and having a full understanding of both money management and the products being offered, such as being educated about savings. While the number of MFIs providing financial literacy education programs to clients is increasing, there remains the belief that providing these programs is costly and not the core business of financial institutions. The . . . → Read More: Financial Literacy – Who’s Responsibility? (Benita Sarah Matthew)
By Microfinance Focus, on October 14th, 2010% Question (by Rose): How does one agree to a common law to regulate a large number of institutions with so many different interests?
Gerardo Butardo: For me, each country has a unique need that will provide a platform and extent in which regulation can be done. At Bangko, we have taken MF as a great potential in the finance industry and central bank has adopted the policies of BASEL. Policies depend on each country, but the Bangko Central is flexible . . . → Read More: Q & A: Policy Making – Are we getting the framework right?
By Microfinance Focus, on October 14th, 2010% Gerardo Burtado, Acting Deputy Director of Bangko Sentral (Philippines)
Microfinance Focus, October 14, 2010 (Colombo) : Gerardo Butardo, Acting Deputy Director of MSME Finance Specialist Group of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, “Good morning to everyone, I am going to equate this to what we are Doing at Bangko. Let me start by showing a map of the Philippines, access to financial services is still a challenge in the Philippines. Out of 1706 municipalities, 609 or rather 36%, still have . . . → Read More: Policy Making – Are we getting the framework right? (Gerardo Butardo)
By Microfinance Focus, on October 14th, 2010% Matthew Titus, Executive Director, Sa Dhan (India)
Microfinance Focus, October 14, 2010 (Colombo) : Matthew Titus, Executive Director of Sa Dhan, opened his speech with a prop, “I thought it is important for me to talk about the process of policy making and characterization. In India, policies appear by the hour *audience chorus in laughter*. I noticed at the breakfast table not many people ate the bananas, *takes out a banana* this is extreme sweet banana, I think everyone . . . → Read More: Policy Making – Are we getting the framework right? (Matthew Titus)
By Microfinance Focus, on October 14th, 2010% John Conroy, Special Consultant, FDC (Australia)
Microfinance Focus, October 14, 2010 (Colombo) : John Conroy, Special Consultant of FDC, began sharing his insights with a candidly with a light joke, “May I draw your attention to the extensive coverage of our event in the newspaper, may i urge you not to read it while i am working because it makes me most insecure. I am going to talk about policy making. Policy and regulation for microfinance in Asia (book . . . → Read More: Policy Making – Are we getting the framework right? (John Conroy)
By Microfinance Focus, on October 14th, 2010% From left: Rose Cooray, John Conroy, Gerardo Burtado, Matthew Titus
Microfinance Focus, October 14, 2010 (Colombo) : In 1998 FDC and the BWTP Network, together with the Asian Development Bank, published the first substantial research into regulation and policy in Asia- ‘Getting the Framework Right’. It highlighted the need for conducive microfinance regulatory environments in the region’s national industries. 12 years on, the industry has come a long way in terms of regulatory frameworks, but much remains to be . . . → Read More: Policy Making – Are we getting the framework right? (Rose Cooray)
By Microfinance Focus, on October 14th, 2010% Microfinance Focus, October 13, 2010 (Colombo) : A three day milestone event in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Asia Microfinance Forum 2010 is convened by The Banking With the Poor Network (BWTP) and organised by The Foundation for Development Cooperation (FDC), with the Citi Foundation as Lead Sponsor, and Hatton National Bank as Local Host.
Conference Sessions :
Opening Address: Asia Microfinance Forum http://bit.ly/dcchgC
Opening Keynote Panel: The Role of Microfinance in Achieving Financial Inclusion (Dolores Torres) http://bit.ly/9z0VwY
Opening . . . → Read More: Asia Microfinance Forum 2010: Day 1 Updates
By Microfinance Focus, on October 13th, 2010% Microfinance Focus, October 13, 2010 (Colombo) : Ewa Bankowska, SPM Program Manager of MFC (Poland) was the moderator of the session and began by posing a question to the audience and panel, “Is there a rationale behind SPM or is it just another nice ‘story’ to tell when you are meeting with investors?”
An essential principle differentiating ‘microfinance’ from ‘finance’ is the social mission of microfinance institutions. The Asian microfinance industry especially has long considered itself as having a concerted . . . → Read More: Social Performance Management – Ensuring Inclusion
By Microfinance Focus, on October 13th, 2010% From left: Bai Chengyu, Nina Nayar, Maud Savary-Mornet, Sok Voeurn
Microfinance Focus, Oct 13, 2010: Microfinance institutions in many countries have recently faced severe challenges in terms of portfolio quality resulting from both internal and external factors. The sector is encountering significant obstacles in terms of over indebtedness, portfolio management issues, the global financial crisis and the wider credit environment.
For a sector which has a double bottom line, the need to manage social impact with financial viability is . . . → Read More: Transaction and Portfolio Risk Management (Inclusiveness and Sustainability)
By Microfinance Focus, on October 13th, 2010% Nimal Fernado (front) facilitating the Q&A session
Q&A opened to the ground audience
Microfinance Focus, October 13, 2010 (Colombo) : The Q & A session facilitated actively by Nimal Fernando served to clarify the doubts and future goals of the Sri Lanka microfinance industry.
Question: On Mr Wijewardena’s idea of commercial banks dedicating 5% of their resources to microfinance, how does that go about, is it subsidies or sponsorship etc? Also about the points regarding MF’s small contribution . . . → Read More: Sri Lanka Special Session: Q & A
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About Microfinance Focus Microfinance Focus (MF) is an online knowledge platform about microfinance and sustainable development. Our worldwide recognition has been driven by a great need for shared information regarding the industry. Much of this growth can be attributed to our commitment to help the industry excel by plugging the knowledge gap, via free access to news and information that will benefit microfinance institutions (MFIs) and their practitioners.
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