Mobilizing Savings for CAURIE-MF Clients in Senegal

Documents the experience of CAURIE-MF, a CRS partner in Senegal, during the design and launch of its new savings product. CAURIE-MF’s clients have been saving diligently for many years but the institution did not have the proper license to mobilize, manage and on-lend their savings. Now legally registered and licensed as a deposit taking institution, CAURIE-MF has able to launch a new savings product which has resulted in significant growth in both its portfolio and the number of clients it is able to serve. The paper shares key successes, challenges and lessons learned during the roll out of this new savings product.

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Developing Agriculture Loan Products for Poor Rural Communities

Examines key lessons learned by Metemamen MF, a microfinance partner of CRS Ethiopia, during the pilot testing of a new loan product designed for rural poor farmers. The paper shares the experience of the microfinance institution as it worked with CRS’ agroenterprise initiative to design financial services for farmers engaged in white pea bean production.

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Checklist for an Internal Audit

Structured guidance to facilitate assessment of operations at a microfinance institution (MFI). Intended especially for new internal auditors, but also useful to experienced staff as a reminder of of important systems and procedures to review. Not intended as a definitive document to replace an MFI’s own internal audit analysis. Instead, it should be adapted by its users to fit their specific processes and regularly updated.

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Review of MAGI Assessment Experiences in South East Asia

Documents the findings and lessons learned from eleven CRS-managed MAGI organizational assessments of partner microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Southeast Asia during 2003 and 2004. The MAGI tool was developed at CRS to assess the institutional strengths and challenges facing MFIs and is an integral part of the CRS LINKS organizational learning/capacity strengthening process for partners. The report goes on to discuss components for institutional strengthening plans based on the MAGI findings.

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Understanding Information Needs for MFIs

Introduces the concept of an information systems needs analysis, provides a detailed description of the analysis process (including basic project management techniques), and describes the optional companion needs analysis template provided to help the end user conduct and document his or her institution’s analysis. (First of two guides.)

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