The data allow us to focus on eight basic questions about the microfinance “industry”: Who are the lenders? How widespread is profitability? Are loans in fact repaid at the high rates advertised? Who are the customers? Why are interest rates so high? Are profits high enough to attract profit-maximizing investors? How important are subsidies? How robust are the financial data? The answers then take us back to reconsider the initial questions of subsidy, profit, and social impact in microfinance. Who are the lenders? The clash between Grameen Bank and.
