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Consumer Protection Regulation in Low-Access Environments

This Focus Note seeks to answer this question, drawing on consumer protection diagnostics of various types carried out by CGAP in more than a dozen countries, widespread consultations with regulators, review of research and experience in developing and developed countries, and Financial Inclusion 2009 cross-country survey findings. It cites significant examples, as well as evidence of their effectiveness (where data are available).

CGAP Consumer Protection Policy Diagnostic Report: India

CGAP contracted with an in-country microfinance expert to assess the Indian consumer protection policy environment for low-income and/or inexperienced customers. This report is based on the findings of interviews conducted as well as desk research.

Branchless Banking and Consumer Protection in Brazil

As part of its Global Policy Initiative, CGAP partnered with the Central Bank of Brazil in late 2008, to learn more about the issues and trends in consumer relations when financial services are delivered through branchless banking. This report highlights some of our findings.

CGAP Consumer Protection Policy Diagnostic Report: Malaysia

CGAP conducted a pilot policy diagnostic mission in Malaysia in May 2009 to assess the Malaysian consumer protection policy environment for low-income and/or inexperienced customers.

The New Moneylenders: Are Microcredit Interest Rates Too High?

The problem is that administrative costs are inevitably higher for tiny microlending than for normal bank lending.

The Global Financial Crisis and Its Impact on Microfinance

So far, policy makers have mostly focused on macro-level measures. And in some regions like Latin America, they are taking a cautious wait-and-see attitude for the first semester of 2009, with more clarity on their steps to be expected later this year.

Are Microcredit Interest Rates Excessive?

Over the past two decades, institutions that make microloans to low-income borrowers in developing and transition economies have focused increasingly on making their operations financially sustainable by charging interest rates that are high enough to cover all their costs.

CGAP Consumer Protection Policy Diagnostic Report: Cambodia

CGAP conducted a pilot policy diagnostic mission in Phnom Penh in February 2009 to assess the Cambodian consumer protection policy environment for low-income and/or inexperienced customers.This report is based on the findings of interviews conducted during the mission as well as desk research.

Variations in Microcredit Interest Rates

This Brief provides examples that show that the reasons for differences in interest rates can be manifold and often tend to be highly country specific.

Toward a Social Performance Bottom Line in Microfinance

This Brief discusses the industry's growing interest in social performance and new advances in measuring social performance and developing guidelines and tools for reporting.