The World’s Banks and the Next Billion
A Conversation With Bob Harris: A Multi-Talented Genius Responsible For Funding Thousands Of Dreams
CAIDP Treasurer Jean-Jo Bellamy says "I am also a kiva guy, and started to “recycle” but still far from what this guy did. My principle is to invest in Kiva 0.7% of my fees in the country that I get the fees from; such as if I make $20,000 for an evaluation in Tajikistan, I take $140 (0.7%) that I reinvest in micro-loans in Tajikistan and add 10% for admin. My only difference is that I don’t put $25 per loan … too small; I make $100 loans.
It is fun to do! Plus, you end up with a public page showing all your loans, including some stats at the end of the page where your loans go….
My only concern with this approach is that despite lending the $$$ free of interest, the borrowers are still paying a hefty amount in interests to the local micro-lending institutions …. between 25% and 35% per year! That is, in my opinion, very high for good economic development.
And when the cost of capital for Kiva is FREE.
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