SymBanc?: A Simulator for Microfinance Institutions

摘要

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) provide credit, savings, and other financial services tothe poor and must successfully manage large volumes of small transactions in order toremain viable. SymBanc? is a system dynamics simulator designed to introducestudents to the complexities of managing a Microfinance Institution (MFI) or to engageexperienced practitioners in a discussion of the key determinants of success in such adynamic, complex environment. The simulator allows students to grow an MFI from asingle branch to a large network by making a variety of decisions about target market,staffing and facilities, loan and savings product design, and sources of external funding.This paper begins with some background on Microfinance Institutions and then presentsthe structure of the model underlying SymBanc? and results of typical simulations.Initial experience using SymBanc? and future enhancements contemplated for it arealso described.