Over the last several decades, microfinance institutions have created an infrastructure of service delivery to the poor. Tens of thousands of microfinance field officers fan out across the developing world every day to meet groups of borrowers.

These relationships and channels can be used to leverage the delivery of services beyond credit, bringing greater benefit to the end customer. And, microfinance institutions could make financial gains in the process. Christopher Dunford, President of Freedom from Hunger, explains the rationale behind this shift and his organization’s experience with providing education along with credit.