Open AccessMicrofinance as a Mechanism against Financial Exclusion in the European Rural Areas – an Inspiration for the Czech Republic
Author(s) -
Gabriela Chmelíková,
Annette Krauss,
F. S. Lategan
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
agris on-line papers in economics and informatics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.245
H-Index - 16
ISSN - 1804-1930
DOI - 10.7160/aol.2021.130406
Subject(s) - microfinance , czech , financial inclusion , poverty , business , social exclusion , rural area , mechanism (biology) , economic growth , financial system , financial services , development economics , finance , economics , political science , linguistics , philosophy , epistemology , law
One of the factors influencing the emergence of disparities between rural and urban regions is the varying level of financial inclusion of the population. The system of microfinancing is becoming an important mechanism against poverty and social exclusion in Europe. However, there is available very limited legal, regulatory and historical information on the microfinance system in the Czech Republic. As a result, microfinance institutions are absent and small entrepreneurs tend to use expensive consumer credit products, thereby increasing the risk of over-indebtedness. The aim of this research is to examine the repayment performance of the European microfinance institutions with increased share of clients from rural areas. Based on an empirical statistical analysis of an unique European microfinance institutions´ database, we are presenting evidence that suggests that microfinance systems perform better in rural than in urban areas. This finding is strongly recommended for consideration in the development of policies to guide legal frameworks regarding microfinancing.