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Revealed objective functions of Microfinance Institutions: Evidence from Bangladesh

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  • Salim, Mir M.
Abstract
This paper discerns between two alternative objective functions for not-for-profit Microfinance Institutions (MFIs): profit maximization and poverty targeting. I use the strategic branch location choices of the two largest MFIs in a mature, concentrated market to reveal their objectives. I consider location decisions to be the pure-strategy Nash equilibrium outcome of a one-shot game where the MFIs simultaneously choose markets in which to locate as well as how many branches to open in each. Applying the duality principle, I nest fully a pure profit-maximization objective within a poverty targeting motive. I test the model using comprehensive data from Bangladesh in 2003. Structurally estimating profit and impact functions, my MSM estimates suggest that pure profit maximization cannot explain the branch placement pattern for Grameen Bank or BRAC: they both deviate towards poverty alleviation. Targeting one higher standard deviation of poverty headcount costs Grameen 35.2% of its potential profits and BRAC 51.4%.

Suggested Citation

  • Salim, Mir M., 2013. "Revealed objective functions of Microfinance Institutions: Evidence from Bangladesh," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 34-55.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:deveco:v:104:y:2013:i:c:p:34-55
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2013.03.011
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Emran, M. Shahe & Shilpi, Forhad, 2021. "Microfinance, Moneylenders, and Economic Shocks: An Assessment of the Bangladesh Experience," MPRA Paper 111159, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Berg Claudia & Emran Shahe & Shilpi Forhad, 2020. "Microfinance and Moneylenders: Long-run Effects of MFIs on Informal Credit Market in Bangladesh," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 20(3), pages 1-35, July.
    4. Giovanna Aguilar & Jhonatan Portilla, 2020. "Determinants of Market Power in the Peruvian Regulated Microfinance Sector," Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade, Springer, vol. 20(4), pages 657-688, December.
    5. Mallick, Debdulal & Nabin, Munirul H., 2018. "Cost effectiveness or serving the poor? Factors determining program placement of NGOs in Bangladesh," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 281-290.
    6. Berg Claudia & Emran M. Shahe, 2020. "Microfinance and Vulnerability to Seasonal Famine in a Rural Economy: Evidence from Monga in Bangladesh," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 20(3), pages 1-36, July.
    7. Maria Porter, 2016. "Effects of microcredit and other loans on female empowerment in Bangladesh: the borrower's gender influences intra-household resource allocation," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 47(2), pages 235-245, March.
    8. Minhaj Mahmud & Yasuyuki Sawada & Mari Tanaka, 2022. "Microfinance competition and multiple borrowing: Evidence using panel data from Bangladesh," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(2), pages 1164-1188, May.
    9. Akib Khan & Atonu Rabbani, 2015. "Assessing The Spatial Accessibility Of Microfinance In Northern Bangladesh: A Gis Analysis," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 55(5), pages 842-870, November.
    10. Leif Atle Beisland & Kwame Ohene Djan & Roy Mersland & Trond Randøy, 2021. "Measuring Social Performance in Social Enterprises: A Global Study of Microfinance Institutions," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 171(1), pages 51-71, June.
    11. Catalina Martinez, 2015. "Doing Well by Doing Good? Empirical Evidence from Microfinance," CFD Working Papers 06-2015, Centre for Finance and Development, The Graduate Institute.
    12. Siddiqur Rahman Osmani & Md Abdul Baqui Khalily & Mehadi Hasan, 2024. "The dynamics of overlapping borrowing in the microcredit sector of Bangladesh," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 36(5), pages 2478-2503, July.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Microfinance; Objective functions; Not-for-profit;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L31 - Industrial Organization - - Nonprofit Organizations and Public Enterprise - - - Nonprofit Institutions; NGOs; Social Entrepreneurship
    • O16 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Financial Markets; Saving and Capital Investment; Corporate Finance and Governance

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