On behalf of the World Bank Study "Access to Rural Finance in Bangladesh," BFC has undertaken the project "How commercial banks could better serve micro and small businesses in rural areas". BFC provided practical recommendations to two banks in Bangladesh interested in expending their MSE (micro and small enterprises) portfolio. BFC consultants have analyzed the market for MSE loans and conducted market research of 300 MSEs (including farmers) in two selected districts.

The assignment involved:

• Identifying mismatches between rural MSE finance demand and supply;
• Developing key components of a profitable downscaling program for two partner banks.