Microfinance
How Matt Damon’s 2006 Zambia trip inspired a water nonprofit now reaching 92 million people
Matt Damon launched his water mission in 2006, founding H2O Africa Foundation to support safe-water initiatives. This evolved into Water.org, reaching over 92 million people through a financing model, transforming the global approach to the water crisis from charity to sustainable solutions.
2 min read28 Sep 2026El Niño impact on rural borrowers easing as rains improve, says Muthoot Microfin
The improving rural environment allows Muthoot Microfin to accelerate its strategy of diversifying beyond traditional group lending.
4 min read10 Aug 2026Smart calls, human credit: the guarded rise of AI in India's microfinance sector
Microfinance companies are scaling up AI to boost productivity and strengthen fraud checks, while keeping core lending decisions largely manual amid data quality challenges and evolving privacy rules.
5 min read30 Jun 2026Microfinance sector recovers after stress cycle but caution prevails amid geopolitical, inflation risks
India's microfinance institutions are cautiously recovering after two years of stress, with improved collection efficiency and asset quality. Analysts warn that while conditions are stabilizing, growth will be disciplined due to geopolitical risks and a changing lending environment.
5 min read21 May 2026Microfinance needs reform more than credit backstops if India wants to avert another crisis in this sector
Liquidity support by the Centre may offer symptomatic relief, but India’s microfinance sector needs a structural recast. Without reforms to address recurring cycles of over-lending and loan stress, another credit guarantee package will only postpone the next crisis in this fragile sector.
4 min read22 Apr 2026Credit guarantee boost to help revive microfinance growth, says Muthoot Microfin CEO Sadaf Sayeed
Sadaf Sayeed, chief executive officer of Muthoot Microfinance said the move could unlock lending, revive financial inclusion and support sectoral growth.
3 min read1 Apr 2026Govt. launches ₹20,000 crore credit guarantee scheme to boost microfinance lending amid liquidity crunch
The scheme offers 70-80% guarantee cover on loans to MFIs, aiming to restore lender confidence and improve credit access for underserved borrowers.
2 min read20 Mar 2026IndusInd Bank bets on small loans and retail deposits for recovery
IndusInd Bank is seeking a fresh start by focusing on its traditional strengths, commercial vehicle and microfinance lending, following a difficult quarter where its loan book shrank by 13%.
2 min read23 Jan 2026Counting bank accounts isn’t real financial inclusion, economic freedom is: CEA
Speaking at the global inclusive finance summit, V. Anantha Nageswaran urged banks to treat borrowers emerging from government credit support schemes as regular customers. He also asked investors in inclusive finance institutions to accept lower returns in exchange for social impact.
2 min read13 Jan 2026Centre weighs mega microfinance credit guarantee scheme for NBFCs in upcoming budget
The proposed guarantee cover is expected to be larger than the ₹7,500 crore package offered during the pandemic. To be managed by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company, it will underwrite lending risks for banks, covering defaults caused by factors outside the control of small borrowers.
3 min read6 Jan 2026Wait for it…
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