Microfinance boom could be bubble, some fear
Investing in institutions that provide credit to small firms and individuals in poor countries is increasingly popular – so much so, that there are brewing fears of a breakdown in lending practices. Catherine Contiguglia reports
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE ARTICLE IN FULL
It started out as a social experiment to extend credit to individuals and small businesses without access to traditional banking, but microfinance has become an asset class in its own right – generating more liquidity and cheaper funds, as well as less-welcome attributes, such as talk of asset bubbles.
"Microfinance is almost a victim of its own success
Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.
To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@risk.net or view our subscription options here: http://subscriptions.risk.net/subscribe
You are currently unable to print this content. Please contact info@risk.net to find out more.
You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@risk.net to find out more.
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (point 2.4), printing is limited to a single copy.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@risk.net
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
You may share this content using our article tools. As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (clause 2.4), an Authorised User may only make one copy of the materials for their own personal use. You must also comply with the restrictions in clause 2.5.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@risk.net
More on Risk management
Climate Risk Benchmarking: explore the data
View interactive charts from Risk.net’s 43-bank study, covering climate governance, physical and transition risks, stress-testing, technology, and regulation
‘The models are not bloody wrong’: a storm in climate risk
Risk.net’s latest benchmarking exercise shows banks confronting decades-long exposures, while grappling with political headwinds, limited resources and data gaps
ISITC’s Paul Fullam on the ‘anxiety’ over T+1 in Europe
Trade processing chair blames budget constraints, testing and unease over operational risk ahead of settlement move
Cyber insurance premiums dropped unexpectedly in 2025
Competition among carriers drives down premiums, despite increasing frequency and severity of attacks
Op risk data: Kaiser will helm half-billion-dollar payout for faking illness
Also: Loan collusion clobbers South Korean banks; AML fails at Saxo Bank and Santander. Data by ORX News
Market doesn’t share FSB concerns over basis trade
Industry warns tougher haircut regulation could restrict market capacity as debt issuance rises
CGB repo clearing is coming to Hong Kong … but not yet
Market wants at least five years to build infrastructure before regulators consider mandate
Rethinking model validation for GenAI governance
A US model risk leader outlines how banks can recalibrate existing supervisory standards
