Guiding Principles on Regulation and Supervision of Microfinance

June, 2003     Robert Peck Christen, Timothy R. Lyman, Richard Rosenberg

Captured here is broad consensus on many principles of good practice in regulation and supervision of microfinance. The guidelines summarize these principles for government regulators and others engaged in moving microfinance into the formal financial sector.

The paper discusses terminology and preliminary issues, outlines areas of regulatory concern that do not call for “prudential” regulation, addresses prudential treatment of microfinance and MFIs, looks at challenges surrounding supervision, and summarizes policy recommendations. The paper is intended to provide guidance to the staff of the international donors who support developing- and transitional-country governments as well as national authorities who make the decisions, and the practitioners and other local stakeholders.