Access to Credit Post Microfinance Crisis

This Policy Brief draws a comparison between how access to credit for the MFI clients changed in these two states post AP crisis, and its impact on the MFI clients.

MicroSave conducted a study in August 2011 to collate clients’ experiences, opinions and needs, to inform policy makers and perhaps help devise solutions most suited to the requirements of the poor. To further enhance understanding of the effect of the microfinance crisis on poor clients two years after it started, MicroSave conducted another study in July 2012 in two states – Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal. While the MFIs in AP have struggled to make a turn around, MFIs in West Bengal, such as Bandhan, still grew during this period – albeit at a reduced rate. This Policy Brief draws a comparison between how access to credit for the MFI clients changed in these two states post AP crisis, and its impact on the MFI clients. It then offers policy and operational recommendations for MFIs, regulators and those that finance MFIs.