Building assets to reduce vulnerability: microfinance provision by a rural working people's union in Mexico

Rogaly, B.; Castillo, A.; Romero Serrano, M.

Development in Practice 14(3): 381-395

2004


ISSN/ISBN: 0961-4524
DOI: 10.1080/0961452042000191213
Document Number: 554085
Proyecto Tequisquiapan (PT) provides protective microfinance services in a small region of rural Mexico, including, importantly, open access to deposit facilities. This paper reports on new research that examined PT's record in enabling people with different degrees of vulnerability to build assets and protect themselves from both sudden shocks and more predictable demands for lump sums of cash. PT was found to be relatively more useful for the most vulnerable households. Its successes rely on its small scale, on the commitment of its staff whose salaries are subsidized, and to innovation and experimentation in order to remain relevant to members' changing and differentiated financial lifeworlds. This stands in contrast to the current trend towards large-scale commercialized microfinance. The World Bank, the authors argue, should take note.

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