Manuals, guides, and curricula

Name of tool

Tool description

Tool availability

SEEP Guide To Linkages

This document is being written by SEEP with significant input from CARE.

Managing your Money, Financial Literacy Training for Community Savings Groups

This financial education course was developed by MicroFinance Opportunities for USAID Tanzania and versions of it are used by CARE and others. It is listed under the Financial Linkages section because groups that are targeted for linkages need to have a base of understanding; however, this is also broadly applicable for many other projects, whether or not  financial linkages are involved.

Principles, Checklists, and Frameworks

Name of tool

Tool description

Tool availability

CARE Principles of Linkages

General guidelines proposed by CARE for linking SGs to financial institutions.

Key Performance Indicators for Linkages

This is a checklist used by CARE to ascertain the credit-worthiness of SGs.

Transparency and Consumer Protection Tools

Name of tool

Tool description

Tool availability

Microfinance Transparency

This website facilitates  rapid, simple and accurate information around the costs of borrowing from financial institutions, information that is usually obscured by the pricing schemes of these institutions. It should be consulted by agencies considering involving their SGs with financial institutions.   

Through http://www.mftransparency.org/ 

SMART Campaign information

The SMART Campaign is designed to improve the client-friendliness of institutions that provide services to poor people, primarily credit. Since some financial linkages essentially turn Savings Groups into credit solidarity groups, the multiple SMART campaign tools and references might help protect SGs against possible abuses of commercial microfinance institutions.

Through http://www.smartcampaign.org/

Case Studies, Research, and Articles

Name of tool

Tool description

Tool availability

Consultancy for Community Managed Savings and Loan Groups: 
Best Practice Development and Market Linkage Assessment/Pilot Project: Final Report

This study presents a set of guidelines for Facilitating Agencies that are considering promoting banking relations between SG members and financial institutions. It urges FAs to put the interests of group members above those of banking partners. It also emphasizes the importance of making groups safer and better places to save, educating members about the advantages and risks of different financial products and institutions, and insisting on transparency.