ACCESS Development Services announced their 8th Microfinance India Summit on “Bridging the Hiatus, Building Trust”. The summit, which is a two-day event, will be held at The Ashok Hotel, on the December 12 and 13.

The Microfinance India Summit 2011 is a global event, which captures current debates, issues and challenges that a growing microfinance sector in India faces as it strives to reach the poor with access to financial services. This event will see eminent personalities and noteworthy speakers from various sectors coming together to present, discuss and debate on relevant topics related to the microfinance industry.

As the core assumptions of the microfinance industry are being challenged, this year’s Summit will provide a timely platform for stakeholders to come together and discuss the current debates of client protection and social performance, the implications of a regulatory environment, the new thrust of the SHG movement and obstacles of financial inclusion. Over the years, the Microfinance India Summit has emerged to become among the most important sectoral platforms globally, bringing together thought leaders to delve into and debate key current issues in the sector.

Mr. Vipin Sharma, CEO, ACCESS Development Services said, “The last 18 months have been tumultuous for the microfinance sector in India. The heady growth that the sector saw in the past decade came to a screeching halt by the Andhra Pradesh crisis in October 2010. The state model of SHG lending and the private sector model of joint liability groups came head to head. Several issues like unethical behaviour with clients, lack of transparency, excessive profiteering, investor greed and mission drift brought significant discredit to the sector, precipitating the need for greater regulation. Given these schisms that have emerged between the two dominant models of delivery, the drift between mission and practice and the polarization between the State and the Sector, the Summit theme for 2011 is “Bridging the Hiatus, Building Trust.” Across the two-day Summit the sessions will analyze and introspect on the issues that have led to the erosion of trust within the sector and will attempt to build consensus on how the sector can move forward. Discussions will take place on the delivery of responsible finance to the unbanked poor, how better social performance management helps institutions align with the mission of microfinance and a need to refocus on the client and her needs to deliver appropriate products and services in a more transparent and efficient manner.”