MFC undertakes quantitative and qualitative research studies in order to provide an insight into the drivers of customer behavior and market development We carry out enterprise and MFI surveys and research projects to deepen knowledge and understanding of the microcredit and SME finance market in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The results of our studies have been used to inform ...

As part of a multi-component project funded by European Commission, MFC is developing and testing methodology of Access to Finance Barometer that will provide insights into the country-level access to finance issues and priorities in 10 EU countries. The purpose of the AFS Barometer is to assess the level of financial inclusion and conditions of access to finance in EU ...

This study focused on client over-indebtedness in Bosnia and Herzegovina, levels of which were the highest in the Central and Eastern Europe market. The study results confirm that a sizeable proportion of borrowers in Bosnia and Herzegovina experience difficult financial situations and have problems repaying their debts. Project dates  July – November 2009 Supported by European Fund for Southeast Europe ...

This study examined the application of customer protection principles, access to financial services and the risk of over-indebtedness among low-income clients in Bosnia Herzegovina. The findings confirmed a high level of indebtedness and, in certain client segments, cross-borrowing and potential risk of over-indebtedness. The study found the interest in and use of financial services other than credit to be rather ...

This study sought to understand whether there is a problem of (over-)indebtedness among microcredit clients in Kosovo. Through analyzing credit bureau data and conducting surveys with financial institutions and clients, we were able to: understand the debt levels and underlying borrowing patterns of clients identify demand- and supply-side factors influencing over-indebtedness recommend solutions to over-indebtedness. This initiative was endorsed and supported ...

In this study, MFC analyzed data from the CIB “Ishenim” credit bureau, which manages borrower information from around 50 financial institutions (banks and MFIs) in Kyrgyzstan. The objectives were to: measure clients’ level of debt use understand patterns of credit use identify credit use characteristics and demographic features of clients with repayment problems explore financial institutions’ perspectives on the drivers ...

This study on the risk of over-indebtedness in the ECA region was carried out in partnership with the Azerbaijan Micro Finance Association (AMFA). The objectives were to: Understand the debt levels and underlying borrowing patterns of clients Identify demand and supply factors that influence over-indebtedness Recommendations solutions for over-indebtedness in the country. Project dates May 2011 – August 2012 Supported ...

This report analyses the level of indebtedness of MSME credit customers and the quality of finance in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The objectives of the follow-up study in 2013 were to: assess the current level of indebtedness and repayment performance of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and retail borrowers in BiH, examine the factors – on both the demand ...

The goal of the study was to measure indebtedness levels of active microcredit clients at individual and household level in Lebanon. For this purpose, the study aimed at identifying current tendencies in the Lebanese sector and at increasing the overall transparency within the sector. Download Lebanon Over-Indebtedness Study Project dates November 2014 – 2016 Supported by SANAD Fund for MSMEs  

  Project Dates: 1st January – 31 December 2014 Supported by European Commission MFC Policy paper: Debt, Borrowing and Over-indebtedness: A Country-Level Monitoring Framework Full text; Summary paper MFC presentation on availability of indicators in the EU- EESC Conference in Brussels 12th Dec. 2014 DG SANCO report on over-indebtedness in the EU