MFIs tapping capital mkt not a good idea: Yunus

The Nobel laureate recommended granting MFIs special micro-credit banking licences to accept deposits

Indian microfinance institutions (MFIs) tapping the capital markets to raise funds is not a good idea as they have to promise shareholders that they would make profits from the poor, according to Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.

“Capital markets are not a source of funds (for the MFIs). They could be given special micro-credit banking licences to accept deposits so that they would come under regulations and the deposits would be strictly used only for micro-lending purposes,” he said.

Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of the 12th International Conference on Ageing here on Wednesday, Yunus, known by many as the father of microfinance, said if MFIs were given full banking licences, they might get tempted to move into the other direction ... making money for themselves.

Stating that Indian MFI Bandhan being granted a banking licence was a good development, Yunus said such licences often open up lots of opportunities to make money for oneself. He, however, cautioned: “Many banks in the world, including in Germany, started in the same spirit (serving the poor people) but gradually became regular banks. Hence, they were rejected from the banking system.”

Fuelled by the belief that credit is a fundamental human right, Yunus had established Grameen Bank in Bangladesh in 1983. His objective was to provide loans to the poor on terms suitable to them.

Taking his Grameen Bank initiative as an exemplary example, where all the money comes from deposits, Yunus said some people in Andhra, particularly SKS Microfinance, tried to make money thereby creating problems.

“We have the right micro-credit and the wrong micro-credit. Let’s get to the right micro-credit, which is devoted to help the poor people and get them out of poverty. Let's not show interest in creating money for the owners of the business,” he added.

Replying to a query on whether the Grameen Bank had any plans to expand operations to India, Yunus replied in the affirmative. “We, however, don't do that by ourselves. In one instance, we have created one branch Grameen Kerala at the invitation from Kerala. So, generally, we come by invitation.”