AnnuAl RepoRt FY 2008 - Microfinance Information Exchange

MFI ProductLines ReportingThe microfinance industry continuesto alter and adjust to customers’demands, with traditional MFIs nowoffering products beyond micro-enterpriseloans, regulated banks reachingdownstream to offer loans and savingsvehicles to a new market, and the availabilityof products such as insuranceand remittances. MIX is responding tothese changes by adding product linebreak-out to our data services. We willbegin by focusing on Tier 1 MFIs andexpect to have about 200 MFIs reportingproduct line break-out for the dataset released in autumn, 2009.MFI Sources of FundsAs microfinance receives attentionfrom the mainstream media, moreinstitutions are able to access funds forgrowth from commercial banks, developmentbanks, and other institutions.Yet very little information is availableabout the extent to which MFIs areleveraged. MIX is collecting data onsources of MFI debt, including the typeof lender, amount of loan, interest rate,currency and maturity of loans. Thisinformation will help the industry to betterunderstand regional market trends,and will assist MFIs in seeking competitivelypriced funding.33