European Microfinance Institutions and Information and Communication Technologies: An Empirical Qualitative Investigation in the French Context

The development of microfinance programs in Europe has increased due to the establishment of a large number of small businesses, increase in unemployment, high inflation rates and an impoverished population, which all constitute stimulating conditions of microfinance development. In addition, technological factors consisting of advances in information and communication technologies have contributed to the expansion of microfinance institution (MFI) activities among European citizens. They have facilitated the access to MFI products while also enhancing performance through cost reduction and better services to clients. In this regard, the purpose of this paper is to map state of the art Microfinance Institutions products distribution, its evolution in Europe and exploring how ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) contribute to this evolution while helping European MFI commercialize their products. The authors’ developments are illustrated through examples that include interviews conducted with MFI professionals and clients in France. The interviewees remark on the importance of such products to reduce social differences and foster economic development and the contribution of ICT to facilitate their distribution to reach larger clients.