Ecuador Credit Unions Micro-Enterprise Innovation Project
Branch, B. & Richardson, D.
Publication Date: Oct 1998
Published by: WOCCU - World Council of Credit Unions
Document Type: Paper
What are the effects of the micro-enterprise innovation project in Ecuador?
Evaluates the micro-enterprise innovation project begun with credit unions in Ecuador in 1995. Working with the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU), the aim was to expand the credit union's micro-enterprise financial services.
Investigates whether the project delivered: - more micro-enterprise loans, (more in number, smaller in size)
- more services to women
- a larger range of services for micro-enterprises
Improvements were noted in all three areas. Results show: - since the programme began savings and loans outstanding have at least doubled
- micro-finance products and services introduced by WOCCU helped make the credit unions effective micro-finance providers
- most credit union loans were small indicating the credit unions were providing poverty lending services
- female membership in credit unions increased
- Ecuador's Bank Superintendency is providing a proper regulatory environment
Overall conclusions is that Ecuador's credit unions are and will continue to run as self-sufficient, safe and sound institutions.
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