Social versus Financial Return in Microfinance

17 Pages Posted: 20 Mar 2015

See all articles by Julia Meyer

Julia Meyer

University of Zurich - Department of Banking and Finance; ZHAW School of Management and Law

Date Written: March 1, 2015

Abstract

In this paper we examine the interaction between social and financial returns in microfinance. Running multivariate regression models and using 1,508 observations on microfinance institutions between 2004 and 2010, we find strong evidence suggesting that institutions with more social engagement in terms of outreach to the poor earn higher portfolio yields. We also find that some measures of outreach are associated with increased operating expenses. As return figures are influenced by both costs and yield, and both increase with depth of outreach, these two contradictory results lead to a zero sum effect on return measures.

Keywords: microfinance, financial return, outreach, operating expenses, portfolio yield

JEL Classification: G21, L11, O16

Suggested Citation

Meyer, Julia, Social versus Financial Return in Microfinance (March 1, 2015). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2580343 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2580343

Julia Meyer (Contact Author)

University of Zurich - Department of Banking and Finance ( email )

Plattenstrasse 30/32
Zürich, 8032
Switzerland

ZHAW School of Management and Law ( email )

St.-Georgen-Platz 2
Winterthur, 8401
Switzerland

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