Authors: Anjali Banthia, Susan Johnson, Michael J. McCord, and Brandon Mathews

“Microinsurance that Works for Women: Making Microinsurance Programs Gender-Sensitive” introduces the ground-breaking work that Women’s World Banking has done on developing microinsurance programs tailored to the unique needs of women.

The factsheet gives you a summarized glimpse into the accomplishments of WWB and our network members, united in our mission of improving the economic access and power of poor women microentrepreneurs, and thereby improving livelihoods and creating sustainable change.

The year 2008 was one of historic change and dynamic accomplishment. Yet, when retrospectives of 2008 are written, they will undoubtedly center on the warning signs and fourth-quarter collapse of the global financial system. Similarly, the microfinance sector reflected this dual sense of opportunity and crisis in 2008.

This toolkit gives MFI managers the theoretical understanding and practical examples to conduct an equity valuation of their institutions. Valuation analysis is an invaluable important skill for MFI managers, especially those currently overseeing major corporate transformations, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures or IPOs. By understanding valuation, MFI managers can make better capital structure decisions and conduct precise long-term strategic planning. After previewing the self-study guide, working through the practical exercise and familiarizing themselves with the included Excel models, managers will have the knowledge, skills and tools necessary to apply a variety of valuation methodologies to their own institutions.

Authors: Elizabeth Lynch

“Transforming the Landscape of Leadership in Microfinance: Maintaining the Focus on Women” introduces WWB’s new methodology for helping MFIs support gender diversity at all levels of their institution. WWB has expanded its Women’s Leadership Development Program, which works with individuals, to include a tool that focuses on the challenges and opportunities microfinance institutions face in the attraction, retention, and promotion of qualified women staff members - the Organizational Gender Assessment.