Informal Microfinance & Savings Groups

Informal microfinance and savings groups are community-based financial collectives—often self-governed—where members contribute regular savings, access small loans, and share financial risk without relying on formal banking systems.

These groups are widely used in low-resource settings to promote economic resilience and mutual support. This line of work investigates how participation in informal microfinance and savings groups supports financial preparedness for childbirth.

We examine whether and how engagement in these groups improves participants’ ability to plan for delivery-related expenses and access needed services. We also assess how experiences within savings groups—including service utilization and financial gains—vary by gender and marital status, to better understand who benefits, in what ways, and under what conditions.