Supporting Lend with Care

Microfinance is usually aimed at the economically active poor and low-income people who have limited or no access to the services provided by formal financial intermediaries such as banks.

Since there are so few salaried work opportunities, they are usually self employed microentrepreneurs often working from home.

Typically, they operate small businesses such as grocery shops, market stalls, carpentry or other workshops. In rural areas they tend to focus on agriculture and raising livestock and poultry. Around two-thirds of microfinance clients worldwide are women.

Microfinance is not charity as the beneficiary repays the money. It focuses directly on helping poor people to work and become more self-sufficient.