This month's featured article is on using video to train Savings Groups. Yes, it's time to do that.
The Oldest Group in the World
Okay, this is NOT the oldest group in the world. But it's good to see a group that is eight years old, in its 16th cycle, and still going strong.
The First Five Minutes
People believe what you say, especially the very first thing you say...
How it All Began...
GODIAMU’s staff include women who were there in the very first days of MMD - I felt honored to be in their presence!
Why I don't share in the enthusiasm for "Financial Inclusion"
Some folks thinks there is nothing controversial about Financial Inclusion. Banks don't hurt people, do they?
What we need to ask about micro-insurance
Micro-insurance is great, but what does it cost?
Ten Things I Used to Know about Savings Groups
I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now.
Community Based Approaches to MF and Livelihoods
Here's a Facebook page I'm happy to recommend...
And Micah begat Phillip, and Phillip begat Salome...
Here's what I love about CRS's PSP model, and - at the very end - a few reservations...
Tool vs. Machine
The essence of Savings Groups is not bookkeeping. In fact, bookkeeping is kinda a drag for most people...
Hyenas Circling the Hut
A big problem with Savings Groups is how successful they are.
What If My Bank Made Me Join a Group?
“How would you like it if your bank made you sit with a group of neighbors in order to carry out your banking business?” The question is asked rhetorically, and the questioner never waits for an answer…
Please Shut Your Marketing Mouth
This is a plea for us all to shut our marketing mouth for a while when we are talking about Savings Groups.
Clients at the center? Yeah, right...
Global Microcredit Summit 2011: At the centre of microfinance is the Client
Volunteerism or Fee-for-Service - Part two
I am perplexed by an attitude I keep running into that volunteerism isn’t sustainable.
Volunteerism or Fee-for-Service?
What's the best way to keep trainers training? (Hint: they don't work for money, but they need money to work).
Inside a Banker's Mind
The other day I had lunch with an old acquaintance, an African banker.
When Money Flows into Informal Groups
I had the pleasure of being at the end of a distinguished chain passing along a new study.
No longer feeling poor
Can insanely small amounts of savings really make a difference? I think the answer is Yes.
In Defense of Microcredit
I'm guilty of having dissed microcredit. A lot. Here's a bit of a mea culpa, and an acknowledgement of all the good things the microcredit boom accomplished.