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Fair Charges and Ethical Lending
Lendwithcare only partners with those microfinance institutions (MFIs) that charge 'fair' interest rates (or other charges) and we also promote an ethical lending policy. MFIs must meet our eligibility criteria in order to become a partner. Although solid financial performance is among the requirements, paramount importance is given to a strong social development mission, which includes targeting low-income populations who are usually excluded by commercial banks. We regularly check to ensure the interest rates that MFIs charge are 'reasonable and fair' according to the local context, which often includes providing very small loans to isolated rural borrowers.
Although it is impossible to screen each and every loan that a partner MFI disburses, we do carefully review each loan featured on lendwithcare.org to ensure the recipient business is socially responsible, ethical and not damaging to the environment. In this regard, we will not promote loans that, for example, involve poor animal welfare, such as caged egg production, or are environmentally unsustainable. At the same time, we proactively encourage loans that, for example, create employment opportunities for the very poor, promote sustainable agriculture, recycling, and renewable energy and energy efficiency.
