A Closer Look at Multiple Borrowing in the Philippines

• by Jesila Ledesma and Johan N. Diaz
• Dec 2, 2011
• 1 min
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This Note presents summary results of a study which looked at this phenomenon in the Philippines. The study aimed to contribute to the body of knowledge to understand multiple borrowing.

With increasing cases of over-indebtedness among microfinance clients, multiple borrowing is getting its share of unfavourable limelight. Multiple borrowing brings many benefits to clients, but too much can also bring problems. In this Note, we present summary results of a study which looked at this phenomenon in the Philippines.

The study aimed to contribute to the body of knowledge to better understand multiple borrowing and its link to over-indebtedness. It concludes that MFIs and the microfinance industry can look to multiple borrowing as an early warning sign of the need to improve products and services to better meet and serve the needs of the low income market. MFIs would do well to heed the warning.