Growth patterns of microfinance clients - Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa

Konferenzbeitrag

We provide evidence on the growth patterns of microfinance clients. Our analysis is motivated by the debate on the impact of microfinance on client income and growth. Based on loan-level data from close to 40,000 clients in Sub-Saharan Africa we make use of an econometric approach widely employed in the firm growth literature. Results show that on average clients exhibit substantial growth between two consecutive loans. Moreover, there is a non-linear relationship between initial client size and growth: smaller businesses show higher growth rates which is marginally counteracted by positive growth of the very large clients. Results also indicate that growth rates decline in the course of the lending relationship. Overall our results provide econometric support for the largely anecdotal evidence presented by microfinance practitioners that their clients grow. At the same time they suggest that the equilibrium size of most clients remains small.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: Beiträge zur Jahrestagung des Vereins für Socialpolitik 2013: Wettbewerbspolitik und Regulierung in einer globalen Wirtschaftsordnung - Session: Firm Behavior ; No. E12-V2

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis ; Banks; Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages ; Firm Performance: Size, Diversification, and Scope

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Winkler, Adalbert ; Wagner, Charlotte
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): ZBW - Deutsche Zentralbibliothek für Wirtschaftswissenschaften, Leibniz-Informationszentrum Wirtschaft
• (where): Kiel und Hamburg
• (when): 2013

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/79945
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:41 AM CET