This book, written at the request of practitioners and donor agencies, draws on the author's research and practical experience in Bangladesh, Philippines and East Africa.

Section One outlines cutting edge issues, including:

* How far micro-finance can contribute to reducing poverty, enhancing women's status, empowering poor clients and improving the health, nutrition and education of the poor;
* The role of savings in micro-finance: for clients, institutions and the regulatory authorities;
* How to recruit, develop and maintain high quality clients; and
* Issues around replicating successful micro-finance systems.

Section Two provides a practical guide, with clear examples of how to design micro-finance systems that deliver quality financial services to the poor. The third and final section has two case studies, detailing how two very different systems were developed.

The book discusses the many problems and challenges facing micro-finance, and offers experienced, down-to-earth recommendations for practitioners. It offers a stimulating guided tour of the issues, while suggesting and illustrating how these might be addressed.