Current Market Conditions and Their Impact on Microlenders
The last few years have created a challenging new context for microlenders. Even though some observers think that the recession has bottomed out, the reality is that the context is still challenging for many microenterprise programs. Reduced giving on the part of foundations and banks has squeezed operating budgets and capital funds. Challenged borrowers have increased the risk in loan portfolios.
These webinars review the data on changing market trends and offer practitioner insights into managing those changes. Listen to our podcasts/webinars and download other critical resources for your microenterprise program:
RESOURCES |
| • Overview of Market Trend Data • Podcasts/Webinars • Other Useful Resources for Practitioners |
Overview of Market Trend Data
Review Opportunity Finance Network’s latest Market Conditions Survey. Started in October 2008, the survey gives a snapshot of the impact of tightening credit markets and the economic downtown among CDFIs.
Recent MicroTest data, compiled from microlenders nationwide, illustrate trends in loan inquiry volume, originations and portfolio at risk. View recent MicroTest data here.
Podcasts/Webinars
A Trendlines Webinar
Trends in Demand, Risk, and Funding
This Webinar shares the most recent data from MicroTest, and the Opportunity Finance Network's (OFN) Market Conditions Survey. We discuss trends in demand (applications, originations and disbursements), trends in risk (delinquencies, loan losses, and loan restructurings and extensions), and trends in capital and budget adequacy. Learn and discuss how your organization's experience compares to that of others in the industry. Featured speakers: Joyce Klein, Senior Consultant, FIELD; Tamra Thetford, Program Manager of MicroTest, FIELD; and Donna Fabiani, Executive Vice President, Knowledge Sharing, OFN.
Download Webinar
View Powerpoint
Download PDF of Briefing paper
A Leading Edge Webinar, sponsored by Bank of America
Managing Your Microlending in a Challenging Environment
This webinar looks at how to respond to these market trends. Join Paul Quintero, COO and CFO of ACCION USA, as he discusses how the organization is approaching the multiple challenges of increasing demand, greater risk in the market, and a dynamic funding environment. Paige Chapel, Executive Vice President for CARS™ at OFN, provides a snapshot of CDFI experiences around the country and suggest some strategies that can help microlenders better manage the challenges posed by the current context.
View Webinar
View Powerpoint
Download MP3 version
Other Useful Resources for Practitioners
Moving the Microenterprise Field Forward: Priorities, Strategies and Roles (2009) Download PDF
This "white paper" summarizes discussions by microenterprise leaders who met in early 2009 to explore ways to strengthen and expand the industry, in light of the opportunities presented by the advent of new presidential and congressional leadership and by a changing economy. In addition to pinpointing a set of priority strategies needed to respond to today's environment, participants also identified - and committed to - specific action steps to advance the field's progress. Those strategies and actions are detailed in the paper. In addition to attending the meeting, participants used a wiki to share ideas and comments that are summarized in a supplemental document.
Findings from the Scale Academy-Forging Ahead: Early Lessons (2009) Download PDF
This publication is the first in a series based on the experiences of grantees in the Scale Academy for Microenterprise Development, a four-year effort to uncover innovative, effective scale-up strategies. Now midway through the project, this edition, Forging Ahead: Early Lessons, examines a range of strategies employed by the seven programs in the academy, and describes some of the successes, challenges and pitfalls they have experienced.
Dollars for Dreams: Scaling Microlending in the United States (2010) Download PDF
This is the second publication in a series on the experiences of the Scale Academy for Microenterprise Development. Microlending practitioners will find useful lessons throughout in the exploration of their path towards scale. Chapters on underwriting and risk management are particularly relevant in the discussion of responses to changing market conditions.
