Mallig Plains Rural Bank 1

Three clients that are joining an existing group loan sit at a compulsory group training (CGT) session. The CGT is a three day program during which the clients are required to attend 3 hour seminars about microfinance. Through this program, Mallig Plains' microfinance clients understand their loans as well as methods of promoting growth within their micro enterprises.

During compulsory group training, the bank teaches its clients about the nature of their loans and the background of the bank. As the poster board shows, the bank does not fail to mention the influence of Grameen Bank on its own microfinance sector. Grameen Bank, which was founded by Dr. Muhammad Yunus in 1983, has been providing microfinance services not only in Bangladesh but around the world, serving as a model of microfinance as well as expanding its own bank.

After a quick visit to the Mallig branch, I traveled with the director of the Human Resources Department to the Cauayan City branch, which is the Bank's largest and most successful microfinance branch. With around 660 clients and an impressive repayment rate of 100%, the Cauayan City branch clearly understands how to run a productive microfinance institution. The lady sitting behind the desk is the local manager of the Cauayan branch while the other lady to the right is the director of HRD.

Here is a sign of the bank located in Mallig, Isabela, the main office of Mallig Plains Rural Bank.

Mallig Plains Rural Bank started its microfinance sector back in 1995. Since then, microfinance has become one of the flagship services provided by Mallig Plains.