Abstract

This is a collection of interviews with leading microfinance practitioners and specialists discussing the challenges facing microfinance institutions as they attempt to become more market-oriented, competitive and sustainable. It was written by a recognised leader in the field on the basis of extensive interviews with leading practitioners and experts, the book is an important and much demanded contribution to the literature on microfinance. This book was written at the request of many microfinance institutions that have been struggling with the sea-change currently underway in the industry, as it matures and moves towards a market-led basis. Reaching the huge untapped market for microfinance entails building the capacity of financial institutions to innovate to meet the diverse and changing needs of a broad range of poor clients - in short a market-led approach. Market-led approaches present many problems and challenges for microfinance professionals. Microfinance practitioners want to hear the views and experiences of the successes and failures of their peers as well as advise from 'experts'.