The microfinance sector has multiple forms of organisations, with multiple orientations carrying out business. On the face of it, they do not look all that different in form and the way their services are delivered. There would be little difference in form between the activities and group meetings of a Samhita or a Cashpor group [not-for-profit operations] or an Aarohan and a Bandhan group. Then how are these fundamentally different? Read the rest on Business Today
Microfinance: Time to move towards financial inclusion
By Tara Thiagarajan, Chairperson, Madura Microfinance. Read more on ET
SIDBI to resume investing in MFIs
State-run Small Industries Development Bank of India, or Sidbi, is contemplating equity investment in microfinance companies after a year-long hiatus. ET
Banking licences: Ministry, RBI step up shadow-boxing
The regulator wants all eligible applicants to get licences, the finance ministry says not a good idea. BS
MFI loan recast: Banks not keen to turn debt into equity
Bankers are reluctant to change loans into shares, as it does not ensure the recovery of their dues. BS
Subir Roy: Creating a post office bank
The news that the Department of Posts has set out to try and start a bank is the balm to this writer, who has been arguing for it for more than five years. The post office savings bank has huge deposits (totalling Rs 3.7 lakh crore at end-2009-10, nearly half of banking leader SBI’s. BS