Two recent studies have sparked debates over the benefits of giving out small loans to the world's poor. Knowledge@Wharton examines the issue in detail, balancing the studies' findings with the direct experience of leading microfinance networks: Accion, Grameen, Finca and Women's World Banking.

At WWB for the last three decades, we have witnessed thousands of clients measurably improve their lives with access to a modest loan. A loan that allows them to buy inventory, increase productivity or more efficiently get their goods to market. The increased income enables them to feed, shelter and educate their children more easily, and have a modicum of financial stability. A modest investment, a transformed life.

Read the full article, How To Measure Microfinance's Social Impact, as it appeared in forbes.com.