Topics in financial management for microfinance institutions

The module "Topics in financial management for microfinance institutions" is composed of two courses:

1) Introduction to financial management (Prof. M. Schmit) - 1st period

2) Financial planning and risk management (Prof. M. Schmit) - 2nd period

• Prof. M. Schmit (Introduction to financial management):

1) Introduction to financial statements analysis

2) Time value, discounting techniques and investment decisions

3) Review: Analysing a MFI financial statements

• Prof. M. Schmit (Introduction to financial management):

• Introduce the basic principles in finance

• Present the fundamentals of financial analysis

• Understand how to finance operations

• Understand and compute interest rates

• Get insights on how to value a project and financial assets

Topics are generally presented by an interactive lecture which includes short exercises and case studies enabling participants to reinforce immediately their understanding of the concepts taught. Active participation from the participants is required.

Contribution to the teaching profile

• Understand the various methodologies, products and models in the microfinance sector.

• Analyse the performance of microfinance institutions.

• Rationalise the different perspectives on development issues in the microfinance sector.

• Recommend practical and creative managerial solutions to the most pressing challenges faced by microfinance institutions.

References, bibliography, and recommended reading

See course outlines for details.

Contacts

Email Mathias Schmit: mschmit@ulb.ac.be

Method(s) of evaluation

• Other

Other

• Written exam for Prof. M. Schmit (course: Introduction to financial management)

• Presentation of a case study in group (4 to 6 participants) for Prof. M. Schmit (course: Financial planning and risk management)

Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)

The module « Topics in financial management for microfinance institutions” is composed of two courses:

A) Introduction to financial management (Prof. M. Schmit)

B) Financial planning and risk management (Prof. M. Schmit) (2^nd semester)

Two marks A (40%) and B (60%) must set the final mark C of the module.

• if A and B are greater than or equal to 8/20, then C = (40%. A) + (60%.B)

• if A ; 8/20 or B ; 8/20, then C = min (A,B).

Language(s) of evaluation

• english