Arguing that microfinance institutions in Bangladesh are in need of a less ad hoc approach to the use of information technology, this World Bank report presents a new paradigm for introducing
technology that calls for establishing a centralized information and communication technology platform for the microfinance industry and a centralized office for offering technology tools,
services, and know-how. This new paradigm, the report contends, would allow for the exploitation of economies of scale, bring down staff training needs at microfinance institutions through
outsourcing, and allow microfinance institutions to share information about clients with each other. The report assesses whether the legal and regulatory framework is supportive of such a
paradigm and considers which applications would increase outreach of financial services in Bangladesh. Annotation 穢2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
