Research & Analysis

SmartAid for Microfinance Index 2009: Submission Guide

SmartAid measures whether funding agencies are set up to support microfinance effectively. It is the first index of its kind that promotes transparent external assessments of funders’ management systems. SmartAid helps funders understand how their internal management systems, policies, procedures, and incentives affect their work in microfinance.

Information Systems for Microfinance Institutions

This four-day course provides MFI managers with practical guidelines for developing and implementing information systems for MFIs.

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.

Financial Analysis for Microfinance Institutions

Participants learn how to format financial statements for decision making, adjust for inflation and subsidies, measure portfolio quality, asset/liability management, efficiency and productivity and profitability and to choose strategies to reach sustainability.

Operational Risk Management for Microfinance Institutions

This four-day course helps microfinance institutions develop and improve the quality of their own risk management processes and focuses on problem prevention and early problem identification and control.

Access to Finance in Nigeria: Microfinance

Given significant financial sector reforms and private sector innovations, there are encouraging signs that access to finance is poised for growth in Nigeria.

Accounting Principles for Microfinance Institutions

The Accounting course introduces MFI managers to the basics of accounting and how to create the most commonly used financial statements like the Balance Sheet, the Income Statement, and the Chart of Accounts.

Product Development for Microfinance

This four to six day course covers both the process of developing a new product (market definition, market research, product proto-type, costing and pricing, pilot testing, roll-out, marketing, lifecycle management, etc.) as well as the impact of introducing new products on the MFI (human resources, corporate culture, operations and systems, financial results, operating results, etc.).

Delinquency Management and Interest Rate Setting

During this three to four-day course, participants learn to determine causes and costs of delinquency, to measure and control arrears, to calculate the costs of credit for clients, among other skills, through exercises, group activities and case study analysis.

Business Planning for Microfinance Institutions

The present version of the course includes sessions on financial modeling—namely, defining institutional mission, goals and objectives, understanding clients and markets, carrying out environmental and institutional assessments and designing a strategy.