Micro finance refers to financial services for poor and low income poor people.

Although most attention has been on the provision of small loans, micro finance in fact also includes the provision of other basic financial services such as savings, money transfer and insurance for very poor people.

Improving access to such services allows poor and low income people to finance income generating activities, build assets, stabilize consumption and protect against risks. Micro finance can play an important role in improving the lives of poor people.