Microfinance

Experts Piet Callens, Loïc De Cannière, Luc Haegemans, Koen Schoors and Leen Van den Neste debate the role of microfinance in a prosperous country like Belgium.

Microfinance is a system that allows poor families and small entrepreneurs in need of money to borrow small amounts at an advantageous interest rate. Something similar already existed in the 17th century: the so-called ‘Mountains of Mercy’. Lessius was an ardent defender of this institution because it prevented usury.

Today, microfinance is well established in low-income countries, but it is also a channel for borrowing money in prosperous countries.

This debate (in Dutch) is part of our series on the big questions in society.