Title: Assessing the overall performance of microfinance institutions

Authors: Chrysovalantis Gaganis

Addresses: Department of Economics, University of Crete, Rethymno, 74100, Greece

Abstract: In recent years, there has been a growing interest in microfinance institutions (MFIs). Some studies assess the financial condition of MFIs on the basis of individual criteria while a few others attempt to explain differences in profitability on the basis of firm-level attributes and country-level characteristics. However, there is no widely accepted measure for assessing the performance of MFIs. The present study employs a two stage analysis. In the first stage, I propose the use of the PROMETHEE II multicriteria method. This allows the evaluation of the overall performance of the MFIs. In the second stage of the analysis, I use regression analysis to explain differences in the overall performance of the MFIs on the basis of various country-specific characteristics. The results show that the size of the MFIs has a robust non-linear, inverted U-shaped impact on overall performance. Age and the status of non-governmental institution also appear to matter. As it concerns the country-level attributes, GDP growth has a robust positive impact on overall performance. Regional differences also appear to matter.

Keywords: microfinance institutions; MFIs; financial performance; PROMETHEE II; multicriteria decision making; MCDM; firm performance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBAAF.2016.079165

International Journal of Banking, Accounting and Finance, 2016 Vol.7 No.1, pp.52 - 83

Received: 07 Mar 2016
Accepted: 23 Mar 2016
Published online: 15 Sep 2016 *

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