Policy Overview

Regulating and supervising microfinance has become increasingly important as microfinance activities have grown throughout the world. In the past, microfinance was typically provided by a limited number of semi-formal and informal actors, including not-for-profit institutions, cooperatives, moneylenders, and other informal groups. Today, microfinance providers include multinational banks and other large deposit-taking financial institutions.

The telecommunications revolution is also opening the door to microfinance for other entities. Mobile network operators and payment service providers are starting to offer small-value electronic services to poor clients. Ordinary people are using online companies such as Kiva and Microplace to invest in microenterprises on the other side of the world.

Microfinance needs to integrate into the formal financial system to reach the hundreds of millions of people who still lack access to affordable financial services. However, the formalization of microfinance faces many challenges. Microfinance products have different costs and risk profiles from other financial products, so laws and regulations may need to be adjusted accordingly. Formal institutions must comply with many laws and regulations that are aimed at ensuring institutional and financial system strength and soundness, safeguarding customers’ deposits, preventing consumer fraud, money laundering and terrorist financing, and proper disclosure of product costs and terms.