> Posted by Michelle Romeu

This week’s Top Picks delves into bloggers’ thoughts on branchless banking, private-sector opportunities at the base of the pyramid, and the sobering prospect that some countries that might go down the same teeth-rattling road as Andhra Pradesh.

  • David Roodman contributes to the Beyond Profit blog, mulling which countries could be next on the list to experience a microfinance crisis similar to those of Andhra Pradesh and others. Hint: Think Armenia. Interesting graphs here.
  • On a similar note, Timothy Ogden at the Harvard Business Review blog discusses the “microfinance contagion scenario,” in which local issues could have significant global consequences.
  • The newest trend in creative microfinance: the use of microcredit for the provision of clean water in the developing world. But is it too idealistic? Microfinance Focus outlines the opportunities and challenges ahead.
  • Does branchless banking truly reach poor people? CGAP’s technology blog explores this question in a three-part blog series that begins with Pakistan.
  • Not just for non-profits: Josh Cleveland at NextBillion explains why private corporations should engage the base of the pyramid.

Image credit: Ianf

Have you read?

India, Agriculture & Savings – Top Picks of the Microfinance Blogosphere – June 1, 2011

India, Savings, and More – Top Picks of the Microfinance Blogosphere – May 13, 2011

Grameen, India, Financial Literacy – Top Picks of the Microfinance Blogosphere – April 28, 2011

Islamic Microfinance, the Poorest of the Poor, and More – Top Picks of the Microfinance Blogosphere – April 13, 2011