Background information on major MFIs in Bangladesh BRAC background BRAC website 1974 - BRAC microfinance Provides collateral-free financing

and door-to-door service to collect loan installments from members - Programmes in economic, social, and human rights development, education, and health can be accessed by all beneficiaries of BRAC - Offers various types of loans, targeted towards different poverty groups o Dabi: poor borrowers o Unnoti: higher range o Progoti: large loans to micro-entrepreneurs to finance/develop existing businesses o Targeting the Ultra Poor (TUP programme for extreme poor - Backward linkage services: training on improved techniques, provision of improved breeds and technology, supply of technical assistance & inputs - Forward Linkages: storage facilities for produce and marketing of finished goods - Trained workers/volunteers - Commercial ventures to protect BRAC members from facing market failures o Eg: Dairy and Food Project - Continued innovation is continuously monitored **repayment rate: 99.3% -

ASA background ASA website Foundation Phase (1978 1984) o Help poor organize and empower themselves to establish political and social rights for a just society o No loans o Social actions to fight against social injustices Reformative Phase (1985 1991) o Social plus income generation o Empowerment of women Program Specialization Phase (1992 now) o Savings & credit for income generation

o Member security fund (Mini Life Insurance) to shield members from hardhship 2001: financially self-sufficient o Does not accept any grants/donations from outside source

Grameen Background Grameen website