Starting a Micro Enterprise Loan Fund Program

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Local governments and community development entities in many places are seeking ways to assist and encourage entrepreneurship and micro enterprise development. Encouraging the development of micro enterprises by providing for micro-lending programs and other assistance creates jobs, innovation, and is seen as an important catalyst for the future economic growth and prosperity of an area. This course examines the fundamental concepts and techniques for starting a micro loan fund. In addition, the class examines the interaction between organizations and the external environment.

Participants will develop an understanding of the concepts and processes of asset development in terms of definitions, policy issues and best practices. We will explore ways to reflect on the values, biases, and rewards that we bring to the task of micro lending. We will give special consideration to the challenges of managing a micro loan fund that reflects the culture of both US microloan and international microfinance programs…

At the end of the program participants will be able to:

⦁ Identify and describe key issues impacting micro loan organizations;
⦁ Formulate and evaluate alternative solutions to identify best practices in micro lending
⦁ Learn how to focus on the basics of micro lending, underwriting, loan monitoring, risk management and the loan approval process
⦁ Create a matrix of startup funding sources for loan fund development