Jaramillo, M. (2014). Expansión de las microfinanzas en zonas rurales de América Latina (Resumen de Política N° 3). ELLA. Desarrollo Económico, Microfinanzas.

The inclusion of rural populations in financial markets has long been a social objective of developing countries worldwide. Indeed, pioneering work in the field of microfinance initially focused on rural areas. This brief analyses the impacts of microfinance in rural areas through evidence on rural poverty, as well as the positive effects on consumption and investment in education. It also describes the evolution of rural microfinance in Latin America, presenting some notable experiences that seek to increase the access of rural populations not only to credit, but also to financial services and products. The paper describes the adaptation of credit technology used in urban areas for application in rural finance, underlines the importance of risk management for scaling up, and offers lessons learned.