Jason Loughnane

Designed for those who wish to gain a deeper understanding of the financial, operational, and public policy aspects of microfinance, this course is ideal for students interested in careers in microfinance analysis, advisory, or investing and in the wider spheres of ethical banking, fintech, and impact investing. The early weeks of the course will explore the foundations of the microfinance movement, dive deep into the products and services associated with financial services for the poor, and ground students in the structure, operations, and technologies used in microfinance institutions. Next, students will take an investor’s perspective on microfinance, looking at the application of commercial investment to the sector and its implications, teaching students how to perform financial analysis of microfinance institutions, and discussing how government policies can impact a country’s microfinance sector. Finally, we explore the literature on the impact of microfinance, analysis using randomized controlled trials and other research methodologies, and review the criticisms of the modern microfinance movement. The course concludes with a capstone reading and discussion of where the microfinance industry is headed over the next decade, and how to prepare for career opportunities in the field. Prerequisite or Corequisite: Financial Decision-Making.