The MFT Approach
En español
There is no organization in the microfinance industry that is quite like MFTransparency (MFT). We have a very specific focus (pricing transparency) and a very broad scope of outreach (four continents and a wide range of industry stakeholders). We offer our outside expertise in product pricing, while involving local industry actors and facilitating discussion. Our approach combines training, data collection and communication, and the development and dissemination of educational materials. Intrigued? Continue reading to learn more.
Below you’ll find a list of resources that will help to illustrate the MFT approach. This compilation includes articles, presentations, videos and blog posts. All resources have been coded according to their complexity:
- a green box indicates basic information, where to start with MFT,
- a yellow box will provide you with a resource that goes beyond the basics, and
- a red box is a comprehensive or more in-depth look at a particular facet of MFT’s work
Use these links to jump directly to what you’re looking for, or simply scroll down to view our full library:
Highlighted Items
Articles
MFT Two-Pager (Intro Level)The most information you can get about MFT in the fewest words (apart from one of our country graphs). This two-page overview of MFTransparency covers our purpose, goals, approach, previous and current projects as well as how you can get involved with our work. Download
Written for the online magazine Digital Development Debates, this article gives an overview of how pricing works in microfinance, why transparent pricing is an important issue and what some industry players are doing to facilitate transparent pricing practices. Download
This two-page article describes how MFTransparency seeks to engage the full range of actors in the microfinance ecosystem. In addition to collecting data from microfinance service providers, MFTransparency also offers training and education and facilitates dialogue among industry support organizations, funders and policymakers. This resource lists the specific organizations that MFTransparency partners with as well, on the international, regional and national levels. Download
One of MFTransparency‘s most important forms of support are its endorsers. These are individuals and organizations who have given their written commitment to MFTransparency‘s mission. The hundreds of names on this list represent organizations from around the world and industry stakeholders of all different types. To learn more about our endorsers, click here. To become an endorser, download the endorser form. View
MFTransparency‘s first newsletter, this resource is a summary of MFTransparency‘s accomplishments to date. This includes an overview of MFTransparency‘s country projects, data collection progress, presentations at industry events, receipt of an award for excellence and upcoming activities. Opening with an impassioned letter from CEO & President Chuck Waterfield, this newsletter is a brief introduction to MFTransparency‘s approach, history and achievements. This resource is available in English, French and Spanish. View
e-MFP Summer 2010 Newsletter: MFT Article (Intro Level)The second article that MFT has been asked to write for the European Microfinance Platform Newsletter, this article is a brief overview of what we have accomplished in the year since the first article. This includes country projects we have undertaken, industry building initiatives we have contributed to and new partnerships we have forged. Organized by topic, this article is a great illustration of the strides MFT has made in fulfilling its mission, and the industry-wide support that has been instrumental in these early successes. Download
The Global Transparent Pricing Initiative: How MFIs Can Benefit from Participation (Intermediate Level)Although MFTransparency works closely with all industry stakeholders, one group that the success of our work relies on in particular is the microfinance institutions (MFIs). The collection and communication of product pricing data is a main feature of our Initiative in each country where we work. While all stakeholders benefit in different ways from the publication of this data, perhaps none in such immediate and tangible ways as the MFIs submitting this data. This article outlines the many opportunities offered to MFIs through the Global Transparent Pricing Initiative. Download
Putting Transparency Into Practice (Intermediate Level)
Co-published with the Smart Campaign, this tool helps define transparent and responsible pricing and provides several additional resources for MFIs looking to comply with the pricing standards outlined by the Client Protection Principles. This brief document describes how financial service providers can observe the principle of transparency, current resources that exist to help providers understand and communicate their prices to clients, and information on where providers can find more information from MFTransparency and the Smart Campaign.
See more
Responsible Pricing: The State of the Practice (Advanced Level)Published by the Smart Campaign and co-authored by MFTransparency, this paper gives an overview of transparent and responsible pricing in microfinance, including what the industry has done to date and recommendations for furthering our progress on this important issue. The paper draws on some key learnings from MFTransparency‘s work as guideposts for other industry efforts on pricing, and employs MFTransparency datasets in the evaluation of various approaches to promoting transparent and responsible pricing practices. This is a great read for anyone interested in pricing in microfinance, especially those who have some familiarity with the issue. Download
Presentations & Videos
Data Launch Webinar Videos (Intro Level)Recording of our first ever data launch webinar! This webinar marks the first time that clear, accurate, comparable pricing data has ever been available for the microfinance industry. The presentation includes discussion of data from Peru, Bosnia and Cambodia. It also provides an introduction to MFT’s methodology and early experiences. This milestone event in the history of microfinance generated a lively and thought-provoking discussion as well, also captured here. This first data launch webinar is one of the best ways to become acquainted with MFT’s approach and the role we serve in the industry.Watch this video
About MFT (Intermediate Level)
So you’ve read the MFT Two-Pager and want to know more. This presentation offers a more in-depth, visually engaging overview of MFT’s purpose, approach and activities to date. Capturing the who, where, what and why, this presentation provides a glimpse of how all the components of MFT come together to address its mission. View this presentation
If you have suggestions for additional information to post on this page, write to us at resources@mftransparency.org.
(Advanced Level)
This presentation, given by MFTransparency Vice President Alexandra Fiorillo at the European Microfinance Week 2010, discusses the role of self-regulation and government regulation in facilitating responsible pricing. It explains the philosophy underlying MFTransparency‘s methodology that seeks to include a range of stakeholders in the process of facilitating transparent pricing, and how both policymakers and practitioners have a role to play in creating an environment for transparency.
View this presentationFrom the Blog
This post introduces a definitive piece of industry research on pricing transparency. Jessica Haeussler, MFTransparency Latin America Regional Associate, writes for the MicroBanking Bulletin on the importance of pricing transparency in microfinance. Combining theory and industry data, this piece provides a strong foundation for understanding pricing transparency in microfinance. Read this post
This post is a reply to David Roodman’s open book blog on the differences between the MIX Market and MFTransparency. In addition to clarifying the differences in the data collected and the approach taken by each organization, this post also elaborates on ways the two work together toward a common goal.
Read this post
In this post MFTransparency Manager of Finance & Administration Randall Weaver explains the process of opening an office in a new country. As MFTransparency‘s outreach rapidly expands to new regions, so does our long-term local presence. With offices already established in Asia and South America, this post explores the process of setting up our first office in Africa. Read this post
By this point you agree that transparency is important. You’re on board with MFT’s approach of collecting and publishing pricing information. But what about how this information is communicated? And not just on the MFTransparency website but directly between MFIs and clients as well? This post provides some food for thought on MFT’s role in helping to facilitate the standardization and communication of interest rates, in addition to transparency. Read this postSuggestions