IBF312 Microfinance
Syllabus | International University of Sarajevo - Last Update on Feb 02, 2026
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International Business and Finance
Mehmed Ganić
Course Lecturer
Course Objectives
The course gives a thorough overview of microfinance, beginning with a discussion of what microfinance is and how it has evolved, including the products and services that contemporary MFIs provide, understanding
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Course Materials
Required Textbook
Joanna Ledgerwood et al. (2012). The New Microfinance Handbook: A Financial Market SystemPerspective. Washington DC. World Bank.
Additional Literature
Joanna Ledgerwood SUSTAINABLE BANKING with the POOR MICROFINANCE HANDBOOK An Institutional and Financial Perspective T H E WO R L D B A N K WA S H I N G T O N , D . C .Teaching Methods
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic | Readings / References |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction . Understanding the Country Context | Chapter 1 |
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Provide an introduction and the presented syllabus. Explain why the macroeconomic and institutional environment matters for financial sector development and microfinance performance.Analyze key macroeconomic indicators and assess their implications for financial institutionsEvaluate the structure and depth of a country’s financial system, including banking penetration and financial inclusion levels.
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| 2 | The Target Market and Impact Analysis | Chapter 2 |
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Identify the target market of microfinance institutions (MFIs) Understand client segmentation and targeting strategies Analyze the concept and measurement of microfinance impact Understanding who microfinance serves and how its effects are measured
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| 3 | Understanding the Impact of Microfinance | Chapter 3 |
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Understand what impact means in microfinance. Review key impact channels. Examine empirical evidence Discuss policy implications
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| 4 | Quiz 1, Microfinance Institutions: Structure, Governance, and Performance | Ch 4 |
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Quiz 1, MSQ based Understand what MFIs are and how they operate Examine different institutional forms Analyze governance and management issues Link institutional design to performance
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| 5 | Designing Lending Products | Ch 5 |
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Understand key principles of lending product design
Link client needs with loan features
Analyze risk and sustainability considerations
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| 6 | Cash Patterns, Loan Terms, and Payment Frequency | Chapter 6 |
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Explain the importance of cash-flow patterns in designing appropriate lending products.Differentiate between stable, irregular, and seasonal income structures Analyze how loan terms (maturity, grace periods, installment size) affect borrower repayment capacity.
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| 7 | Review | |
| 8 | Midterm Exam | |
| 9 | Designing Savings Products | Chapters 7 |
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Explain the role of savings in financial inclusion and poverty reduction.Differentiate between types of savings products, including voluntary, compulsory, commitment, and term deposits.Analyze how income volatility and risk exposure influence savings behavior.Design savings products that align with clients’ cash-flow patterns and financial goal
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| 10 | Adjusting Financial Statements | Chapter 8 |
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Explain the purpose of financial statement adjustments in financial analysis and performance evaluation.Identify common accounting distortions in financial statements,.Adjust income statements and balance sheets to reflect economic rather than purely accounting performance.Distinguish between nominal and real values, particularly in high-inflation environments.
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| 11 | Performance Indicators | Chapter 9 |
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Explain why portfolio quality ratios (arrears rate, portfolio at risk, delinquent borrowers) provide more accurate risk assessment than simple repayment rates. Distinguish between operational self-sufficiency and financial self-sufficiency,Describe how the Subsidy Dependence Index (SDI) quantifies an MFI's reliance on external subsidies and what various
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| 12 | Case study , Performance Management | Chapter 10 |
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Case study: Microfinance in developing countriesAnalyze the true cost of loan delinquency by calculating the number of new loans required to replace lost principal and revenue, and implement comprehensive delinquency control strategies. Design performance-based incentive schemes for credit officers that balance portfolio growth with portfolio quality, and evaluate the impact of decentralized decision-making and transfer pricing on branch-level efficiency and accountability.
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| 13 | Students presentations | |
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Individual student presentations and class discussion
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| 14 | Students presentations | |
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Individual student presentations and class discussion
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| 15 | Quiz 2 , Summary and preparation for the Final Exam | |
Course Schedule (All Sections)
| Section | Type | Day 1 | Venue 1 | Day 2 | Venue 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IBF312.1 | Course | Tuesday 09:00 - 11:50 | B F1.1 FBA Graduate Seminar Room | - | - |
Office Hours & Room
| Day | Time | Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 12:00 - 15:00 | B F1.14 | |
| Tuesday | 13:00 - 15:00 | B F1.14 |
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Assessment Components
Final Exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4
Midterm exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 & 3
Quiz
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 &
Case study discussion
AI: Consult InstructorAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 4
Project Presentation
AI: Consult InstructorAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 4
IUS Grading System
| Grading Scale | IUS Grading System | IUS Coeff. | Letter (B&H) | Numerical (B&H) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 44 | F | 0 | F | 5 |
| 45 - 54 | E | 1 | ||
| 55 - 64 | C | 2 | E | 6 |
| 65 - 69 | C+ | 2.3 | D | 7 |
| 70 -74 | B- | 2.7 | ||
| 75 - 79 | B | 3 | C | 8 |
| 80 - 84 | B+ | 3.3 | ||
| 85 - 94 | A- | 3.7 | B | 9 |
| 95 - 100 | A | 4 | A | 10 |
Late Work Policy
Information about late submission policies will be shared during class and posted in this section. Please check back for official guidelines.
ECTS Credit Calculation
📚 Student Workload
This 6 ECTS credit course corresponds to 150 hours of total student workload, distributed as follows:
Lecture hours
45 hours ⏳ (15 week × 3 h)
Home study
30 hours ⏳ (15 week × 2 h)
Midterm exam study
20 hours ⏳ (1 week × 20 h)
Final exam study
25 hours ⏳ (1 week × 25 h)
Quiz study
20 hours ⏳ (2 week × 10 h)
project
10 hours ⏳ (2 week × 5 h)
150 Total Workload Hours
6 ECTS Credits
Course Policies
Academic Integrity
All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary action according to university policies. When in doubt about citation practices, consult the instructor.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to adhere to the attendance requirements as outlined in the International University of Sarajevo Study Rules and Regulations. Excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused, may impact academic performance and eligibility for assessment. Mandatory sessions (e.g., labs, workshops) require attendance unless formally exempted. For detailed policies on absences, documentation, and penalties, please refer to the official university regulations.
Technology & AI Policy
Laptops/tablets may be used for note-taking only during lectures. Phones should be silenced and put away during all class sessions. Audio/video recording requires prior permission from the instructor.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage: The use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini) varies by assessment component. Please refer to the AI usage indicator next to each assessment item in the Assessment Methods and Criteria section above. Submitting AI-generated content as your own work, where AI is not explicitly allowed, constitutes an academic integrity violation.
Communication Policy
All course-related communication should occur through official university channels (institutional email or SIS). Emails should include [IBF312] in the subject line.
Academic Quality Assurance Policy
Course Academic Quality Assurance is achieved through Semester Student Survey. At the end of each academic year, the institution of higher education is obliged to evaluate work of the academic staff, or the success of realization of the curricula.
Learning Tips
Be prepared to contribute thoughtfully during class discussions, labs, or collaborative work. Active participation deepens understanding and encourages critical thinking.
Complete assigned readings or prep materials before class. Take notes, highlight key ideas, and jot down questions. Aim to grasp core concepts and their applications—not just facts.
Use course frameworks or methodologies to analyze problems, case studies, or projects. Begin early to allow time for reflection and refinement. Seek feedback to improve your work.
Don’t hesitate to reach out when something is unclear. Use office hours, discussion boards, or peer networks to clarify concepts and stay on track.
Syllabus Last Updated on Feb 02, 2026 | International University of Sarajevo
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Referencing Curricula Print this page
| Course Code | Course Title | Weekly Hours* | ECTS | Weekly Class Schedule | ||||||
| T | P | |||||||||
| IBF312 | Microfinance | 3 | 0 | 6 | Tuesday 09:00- 11:50 | |||||
| Prerequisite | Junior Standing | It is a prerequisite to | - | |||||||
| Lecturer | Mehmed Ganić | Office Hours / Room / Phone | Monday: 12:00-15:00 Tuesday: 13:00-15:00 |
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| mganic@ius.edu.ba | ||||||||||
| Assistant | Assistant E-mail | |||||||||
| Course Objectives | The course gives a thorough overview of microfinance, beginning with a discussion of what microfinance is and how it has evolved, including the products and services that contemporary MFIs provide, understanding | |||||||||
| Textbook | Joanna Ledgerwood et al. (2012). The New Microfinance Handbook: A Financial Market SystemPerspective. Washington DC. World Bank. | |||||||||
| Additional Literature |
|
|||||||||
| Learning Outcomes | After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: | |||||||||
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| Teaching Methods | ||||||||||
| Teaching Method Delivery | Face-to-face | Teaching Method Delivery Notes | ||||||||
| WEEK | TOPIC | REFERENCE | ||||||||
| Week 1 | Introduction . Understanding the Country Context | Chapter 1 | ||||||||
| Week 2 | The Target Market and Impact Analysis | Chapter 2 | ||||||||
| Week 3 | Understanding the Impact of Microfinance | Chapter 3 | ||||||||
| Week 4 | Quiz 1, Microfinance Institutions: Structure, Governance, and Performance | Ch 4 | ||||||||
| Week 5 | Designing Lending Products | Ch 5 | ||||||||
| Week 6 | Cash Patterns, Loan Terms, and Payment Frequency | Chapter 6 | ||||||||
| Week 7 | Review | |||||||||
| Week 8 | Midterm Exam | |||||||||
| Week 9 | Designing Savings Products | Chapters 7 | ||||||||
| Week 10 | Adjusting Financial Statements | Chapter 8 | ||||||||
| Week 11 | Performance Indicators | Chapter 9 | ||||||||
| Week 12 | Case study , Performance Management | Chapter 10 | ||||||||
| Week 13 | Students presentations | |||||||||
| Week 14 | Students presentations | |||||||||
| Week 15 | Quiz 2 , Summary and preparation for the Final Exam | |||||||||
| Assessment Methods and Criteria | Evaluation Tool | Quantity | Weight | Alignment with LOs | AI Usage |
| Final Exam | 1 | 35 | 1,2,3,4 | Not Allowed | |
| Semester Evaluation Components | |||||
| Midterm exam | 1 | 30 | 1, 2, & 3 | Not Allowed | |
| Quiz | 2 | 10 | 1,2 & | Not Allowed | |
| Case study discussion | 1 | 10 | 4 | Consult Instructor | |
| Project Presentation | 1 | 15 | 4 | Consult Instructor | |
| *** ECTS Credit Calculation *** | |||||
| Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | |||
| Lecture hours | 3 | 15 | 45 | Home study | 2 | 15 | 30 | |||
| Midterm exam study | 20 | 1 | 20 | Final exam study | 25 | 1 | 25 | |||
| Quiz study | 10 | 2 | 20 | project | 5 | 2 | 10 | |||
| 0 | ||||||||||
| Total Workload Hours = | 150 | |||||||||
| *T= Teaching, P= Practice | ECTS Credit = | 6 | ||||||||
| Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey | Last Update Date: 19/02/2026 | |||||||||