Commercialization of microfinance is an often-talked about but less well-understood concept. It is increasingly recognized that a commercial approach is necessary to achieve mass outreach in microfinance, not only in the Philippines but elsewhere as well.
This report
analyzes the progress toward commercialization of the Philippines' heterogeneous microfinance industry
explores the remaining challenges and implications for various types of stakeholders, including microfinance clients and practitioners, government officials, and funding agencies
recommends positive approaches to the commercialization of microfinance while preserving the traditional social objective of microfinance institutions of expanding access by the poor to financial services
