FIN204 MICROFINANCE T2 2021
KING’S OWN INSTITUTE*
Success in Higher Education
Approved by KOI Academic Board for T2 2021
FIN204 MICROFINANCE T221 14/07/2021 12:11 PAGE 1 OF 15
*AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT PTY LTD © ABN: XXXXXXXXXXCRICOS 03171A
FIN204 MICROFINANCE T221
All information in the Subject Outline is co
ect at the time of approval. KOI reserves the right to make changes to the
Subject Outline if they become necessary. Any changes require the approval of the KOI Academic Board and will be
formally advised to those students who may be affected by email and via Moodle.
Information contained within this Subject Outline applies to students enrolled in the trimester as indicated
1. General Information
1.1 Administrative Details
Associated HE Award(s) Duration Level Subject Coordinator
B Bus (Accg.); B Bus (Mgmt. & Finance) 1 trimester Level 2 Ruhina Karim
XXXXXXXXXX
P: XXXXXXXXXX
L: Level 1, 545 Kent St.
Consultation: via Moodle or by
appointment.
1.2 Core / Elective
This is an elective subject for B Bus (Mgmt. & Finance) and for B Bus (Acct.).
1.3 Subject Weighting
Indicated below is the weighting of this subject and the total course points.
Subject Credit Points Total Course Credit Points
XXXXXXXXXX4 BBus (Accg.) 96; XXXXXXXXXXBBus (Mgmt. & Finance) 96
1.4 Student Workload
Indicated below is the expected student workload per week for this subject
No. timetabled hours/week* No. personal study
hours/week**
Total workload hours/week***
4 hours/week
(2 hour Lecture + 2 hour Tutorial)
6 hours/week 10 hours/week
* Total time spent per week at lectures and tutorials.
** Total time students are expected to spend per week in studying, completing assignments, etc.
*** Combination of timetable hours and personal study.
1.5 Mode of Delivery Online (face-to-face teaching temporarily suspended due to COVID-19).
1.6 Pre-requisites ACC100 Introduction to Accounting and FIN200 Corporate Financial
Management
1.7 General Study and Resource Requirements
o Students are expected to attend classes with the weekly worksheets and subject support material
provided in Moodle. Students should read this material before coming to class to improve their ability
to participate in the weekly activities.
o Students will require access to the internet and their KOI email and should have basic skills in word
processing software such as MS Word, spreadsheet software such as MS Excel and visual
presentation software such as MS PowerPoint.
o Computers and WIFI facilities are extensively available for student use throughout KOI. Students are
encouraged to make use of the campus Li
ary for reference materials.
Resource requirements specific to this subject: Students should have a non-programmable calculator.
Applications in smart phones will not be sufficient to perform the required calculations.
FIN204
Approved by KOI Academic Board for T2 2021
FIN204 MICROFINANCE T221 14/07/2021 12:11 PAGE 2 OF 15
*AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT PTY LTD © ABN: XXXXXXXXXXCRICOS 03171A
2 Academic Details
2.1 Overview of the Subject
Microfinance is a relatively new approach in the finance industry, delivering a range of varied financial
services to poor and socially marginalised people, particularly women, who are not able to obtain financial
services from – or are generally ignored by – traditional financial institutions. This subject is an introduction
to microfinance. It examines the origins, motivations, operations, services, impacts, major risks and
government interventions relating to what is now a major industry across many countries, helping many
millions of people to become self-sufficient. It provides insights into this expanding area as well as case
studies to illustrate its impacts, benefits and limitations.
2.2 Graduate Attributes for Undergraduate Courses
Graduates of the Bachelor of Business (Accounting), and the Bachelor of Business (Management and
Finance) courses from King’s Own Institute will achieve the graduate attributes expected from successful
completion of a Bachelor’s degree under the Australian Qualifications Framework (2nd edition, January
2013). Graduates at this level will be able to apply an advanced body of knowledge from their major area
of study in a range of contexts for professional practice or scholarship and as a pathway for further learning.
King’s Own Institute’s generic graduate attributes for a bachelor’s level degree are summarised below:
Across the course, these skills are developed progressively at three levels:
o Level 1 Foundation – Students learn the basic skills, theories and techniques of the subject and apply
them in basic, stand-alone contexts.
o Level 2 Intermediate – Students further develop skills, theories and techniques of the subject and
apply them in more complex contexts, beginning to integrate the application with other subjects.
o Level 3 Advanced – Students have a demonstrated ability to plan, research and apply the skills,
theories and techniques of the subject in complex situations, integrating the subject content with a
ange of other subject disciplines within the context of the course.
KOI Bachelor Degree
Graduate Attributes Detailed Description
Knowledge Cu
ent, comprehensive and coherent knowledge
Critical Thinking Critical thinking and creative skills to analyse and synthesise information and evaluate new problems
Communication
Communication skills for effective reading, writing, listening and
presenting in varied modes and contexts and for transfe
ing
knowledge and skills to a variety of audiences
Information Literacy Information and technological skills for accessing, evaluating, managing and using information professionally
Problem Solving Skills
Skills to apply logical and creative thinking to solve problems and
evaluate solutions
Ethical and Cultural
Sensitivity
Appreciation of ethical principles, cultural sensitivity and social
esponsibility, both personally and professionally
Teamwork Leadership and teamwork skills to collaborate, inspire colleagues and manage responsibly with positive results
Professional Skills
Professional skills to exercise judgement in planning, problem
solving and decision making
FIN204
Approved by KOI Academic Board for T2 2021
FIN204 MICROFINANCE T221 14/07/2021 12:11 PAGE 3 OF 15
*AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT PTY LTD © ABN: XXXXXXXXXXCRICOS 03171A
2.3 Subject Learning Outcomes
This is a Level 2 subject.
Listed below, are key knowledge and skills students are expected to attain by successfully completing this
subject:
Subject Learning Outcomes Contribution to Graduate Attributes
a) Describe the history and development of microfinance, the
various types of microfinance services and their goals, the
cu
ent scale of operations and the regulatory framework
governing the industry.
) Identify the key users of microfinance services, with emphasis
on the high female participation, the micro-entrepreneurs,
group lending activities and lending methodologies.
c) Outline the various types of microfinance institutions, their
management and the work-force employed, their lending
activities, and the subsidies and other assistance granted.
d) Analyse the benefits, achievements and other impacts of
microfinance and its institutions, along with the criticisms,
limitations and shortcomings of the industry.
e) Discuss the sources of finance for the industry, the profitability
of microfinance institutions and the scope for direct and
portfolio investment in the organisations.
f) Assess the global economic and social performance of
microfinance institutions, along with loan pricing and
sustainability, and examine the future prospects of the industry.
2.4 Subject Content and Structure
Below are details of the subject content and how it is structured, including specific topics covered in lectures
and tutorials. Reading refers to the text unless otherwise indicated.
Tutorial exercises comprise questions on that day’s topic along with a range of multiple-choice questions.
Weekly Planner:
Week
(beginning) Topic covered in each week’s lecture Reading(s)
Expected work as
listed in Moodle
1
05 Jul
What is Microfinance (MF)? History of MF; MF
and the fight against poverty; MF interest
groups; Impact investing; Risks of investing in
MF institutions (MFIs); Social benefits of MFIs;
Selected MF terms.
Chs. 1, 2 Tutorial Exercises
[Listing of Weekly Tutorial
Exercises appears on the
FIN204 Moodle Page.]
2
12 Jul
Intervention in Credit Markets - Major MF
participants; Their regulation; Development
Ch. 3 Tutorial Exercises
Quiz 1 due
FIN204
Approved by KOI Academic Board for T2 2021
FIN204 MICROFINANCE T221 14/07/2021 12:11 PAGE 4 OF 15
*AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT PTY LTD © ABN: XXXXXXXXXXCRICOS 03171A
Finance Institutions; Global coverage; Impact of
Geneva and the United Nations on MF.
3
19 Jul
Micro-entrepreneurs (MEs) – the MF clients;
Poverty levels and MEs’ needs; Types of loans;
Operating regions; Industries funded.
Ch. 4 Tutorial Exercises
Quiz 2 due
4
26 Jul
Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) - Definition;
Goals; Types; Funding; Subsidies; Services
provided; Regulation of MFIs.
Ch. 5 Tutorial Exercises
Quiz 3 due
Formative assessment
5
02 Aug
Lending Methodologies – Traditional credit
theory and MF; Loan types; Socio-economic
factors – u
an v. rural; gender issues; over-
indebtedness; default prevention and debt
estructuring; The Loan Officer’s role.
Ch. 6 Tutorial Exercises
Quiz 4 due
(Quiz 5 in class)
6
09 Aug Mid trimester exam
Introduction to Assignment
2, and topic discussion
Preview of weeks 7-11
7
16 Aug
Loan Pricing and Sustainability – Interest rate
components; A sustainable interest rate;
Regional differences; Loan recipients’
willingness to pay.
Ch 7 Tutorial Exercises
8
23 Aug
Social Performance – Definition;
Management; Measurement standards and
outcomes; Client protection principles;
Performance goals; Social ratings agencies;
Technical assistance; Links with profitability.
Ch.