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The size and growth of microfinance institutions

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  • Liñares-Zegarra, José
  • Wilson, John O.S.

Abstract

We investigate the relationship between size (measured by total assets and number of active borrowers) and growth for a worldwide sample of microfinance institutions with different ownership forms (micro-banks, NGOs, cooperatives/credit unions and non-bank financial institutions) and commercial orientation (profit and not-for-profit) drawn from 120 countries over the period 2000 to 2014. Using a dynamic panel data model, we find little evidence that size confers growth advantages to microfinance institutions. We find some evidence that growth rates for credit unions and microfinance institutions with a not-for-profit commercial orientation present negative persistence. The variability of growth rates differs across the size distribution of microfinance institutions, and this result is consistent across commercial orientation and ownership form. Other factors affecting the growth of microfinance institutions include age (new microfinance institutions grow faster than young and mature counterparts), levels of bad debt, efficiency and regulation.

Suggested Citation

  • Liñares-Zegarra, José & Wilson, John O.S., 2018. "The size and growth of microfinance institutions," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 50(2), pages 199-213.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:bracre:v:50:y:2018:i:2:p:199-213
    DOI: 10.1016/j.bar.2017.11.006
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    Cited by:

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    2. Lina M Cortés & Juan M Lozada & Javier Perote, 2021. "Firm size and economic concentration: An analysis from a lognormal expansion," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(7), pages 1-21, July.
    3. Cao-Alvira, José J. & Deidda, Luca G., 2020. "Development of bank microcredit," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 51(C).
    4. Nyarko, Samuel Anokye, 2022. "Gender discrimination and lending to women: The moderating effect of an international founder," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(4).
    5. Hyndman, Noel & McKillop, Donal, 2018. "Public services and charities: Accounting, accountability and governance at a time of change," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 50(2), pages 143-148.
    6. Wei Xu & Hongyong Fu & Huanpeng Liu, 2019. "Evaluating the Sustainability of Microfinance Institutions Considering Macro-Environmental Factors: A Cross-Country Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-22, October.
    7. Michael Adusei & Ngozi Adeleye & Anthony Okafor, 2021. "Drivers of credit union penetration: An international analysis," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 42(3), pages 710-723, April.
    8. J.S. Keshminder & Md Aslam Mia & Mohammad Nourani & Miao Zhang, 2022. "Gig employment in the Malaysian manufacturing industry: a cross‐sectional analysis," Asian-Pacific Economic Literature, The Crawford School, The Australian National University, vol. 36(1), pages 48-66, May.
    9. Pignatel, Isabelle & Tchakoute Tchuigoua, Hubert, 2020. "Microfinance institutions and International Financial Reporting Standards: An exploratory analysis," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Gibrat's law; Growth; Microfinance; Outreach; Persistence; G21; G32; L25;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance

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