Simplifying micro credit

[Alexandre MEJAT]

I just discovered with new websites allowing everything to take part to the micro credit process:

http://www.babyloan.org

I just think it is a great concept !

[Michael Blondino]

Alexandre, I appreciate the input on Micro-finance. Thanks for calling our attention to it. I went to their website, and while it looks like they are still getting content up and running, I'm glad to see they are going to be posting debates and challenges to their information! There are some profound things being done by micro-finance. I really would love to hear more about the challenges and answers they've found. Is anyone aware of websites or books that identify some of the common weaknesses or varied approaches to micro-finance?

[Cecilia Wandiga]

My opinion, if micro finance is regular banking just in smaller loan amounts it is not helpful.

Most successful models I've seen are Muhammad Yunus/Grameen http://www.grameenfoundation.org/ and Kiva www.kiva.org

Kenya is also receiving a lot of international attention for its M-PESA service which allows money transfer to/from anywhere in the world for $500 or under. There was a lot of behind the scenes work to clear this through international banking regulations. http://www.vodafone.com/start/media_relations/news/group_press_rele...

Cheers,
Cecilia