Profit for the Poor: Cases in Micro-Finance [Paperback]

Malcolm Harper (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Micro-credit is the latest development fashion, and has even received the ultimate accolade of a "world summit."

What is not appreciated is that there is a wide variety of quite different approaches to the profitable delivery of financial services to the poor. Such services are being and, indeed, have for many years been provided by different types of institutions, including traditional commercial banks, NGO’s, and the much publicized "new generation" institutions.

This book presents case studies from India, Bangladesh, East and Southern Africa, Indonesia and Latin America, together with many challenging comments and questions. The author, who has been teaching and studying this field for 25 years, reaches two conclusions: first, that there is no universally applicable methodology; and second, that well managed micro-finance can be profitable, both for its customers and providers. It presents a business opportunity for bankers, and need not depend on donor assistance.

About the Author

Malcolm Harper taught at Cranfield School of Management until 1995, and since then has worked mainly in India. He has published on enterprise development and microfinance. He was Chairman of Basix Finance from 1996 until 2006, and is Chairman of M-CRIL, the microfi nance credit ratingagency and business development, and author of numerous books and articles. He is the co-editor of What's Wrong with Microfinance? (Practical Action, 2007).

Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Practical Action (August 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1853394386
• ISBN-13: 978-1853394386
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: No customer reviews yet. Be the first.
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #965,604 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)