Scandinavian Working Papers in Economics
Discussion Papers on Economics,
University of Southern Denmark, Department of Economics
No 9/2012: Interest rates in community-managed microfinance: How the poorest Africans earn sixty percent return on their savings
Ole Dahl Rasmussen ()
Additional contact information
Ole Dahl Rasmussen: Department of Business and Economics, Postal: University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
Abstract: It is common to see the interest rate on savings in community-managed microfinance being reported as "20-30% annually". Using panel data from 204 groups in Malawi, I show that the right figure is likely to be at least twice this figure. This is due to sector-wide application of non-standard interest rate calculation and unrealistic assumptions about the savings profile in the groups. In the 204 groups, the annual interest rate on savings is 63%. For transparency and accountability donors, politicians and practitioners should change their interest rate calculations. Furthermore, the proposal method will allow practitioners to better monitor group performance.
Keywords: Microfinance; interest rates; performance monitoring; community-managed microfinance; village savings and loan associations; Malawi; NGO
34 pages, March 29, 2012
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