Microfinance Regulation and Supervision Resource Center

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Regulating and supervising microfinance have become increasingly important as microfinance activities have grown throughout the world. This Resource Center, created jointly by CGAP and The IRIS Center at the University of Maryland, pulls together in one central location, a growing collection of information and resources on recent experiences in regulating and supervising. Learn more about the Resource Center.

Pour des renseignements sur la réglementation en français, consulter le site du Le Portail Microfinance.

COMPARATIVE DATABASE ON MICROFINANCE REGULATION AND SUPERVISION

Use the Comparative Database to get a snapshot of the regulatory environment for microfinance in 52 different countries. From individual country profiles to comparisons across countries, institution types and topics, the Comparative Database quickly and easily provides a comprehensive overview of regulation and supervision around the world.

Spotlight on: SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

An overview of microfinance laws/regulations and other regulation affecting microfinance activity and microfinance institutions in sub-Saharan Africa.

Spotlight on: BRANCHLESS BANKING

Diagnostic assessments of the regulatory environment for "branchless banking," which has significant potential to increase access to finance in underserved areas of the world.

Featured Essay: RUSSIA

Analysis of access to financial services for low-income Russians and key policy and regulatory issues.

PAKISTAN: Microfinance prudential regulations amended

Prudential regulations for microfinance banks relaxed (August 2009)

KENYA: Microlender Granted License to Accept Deposits

First MFI in Kenya granted license by Central Bank to accept deposits (June 2009)

KENYA: Microfinance Regulations Enacted

Regulations governing the activities of deposit-taking microfinance institutions (June 2008)

RUSSIA: New Law on Credit Consumer Cooperatives

New framework law on credit consumer cooperatives enacted (July 2009)

KENYA: SACCO Societies Act 2008 Enacted

A new act addressing savings and credit cooperative societies (January 2009)

CREDIT UNIONS: Materials on regulation and supervision

Technical guide, Model regulations, and a comparative regulatory matrix by WOCCU (March 2008)

EGYPT: Law for Regulation of Non-Banking Financial Markets Enacted

Establishes "Single Regulator" for non-banking financial markets and instruments (June 2009)

GHANA: Branchless Banking Guidelines Released

Approved regulations released for undertaking "branchless banking" in Ghana (September 2008)

SOUTH AFRICA: Cooperative Banks Act 2007 Enacted

An Act regulating the activities of cooperative banks in South Africa (March 2008)