I have been exploring Microfinance in general over the past couple of days. From what I can find at this time, it seems to be really big business overseas, but not a lot has happened with it in the USA.
As far as USA publically traded companies go, there are a few that offer a Microfinancing Division such as Citibank. It looks like perhaps Gate has taken on AGEL as a project of sorts, IMO. Microcredit is almost nonexsitent in the USA and from what I can gather is quite lucrative in India, Asia, etc.
Traditional banks have continued the course with their traditional methods and criteria and all too many individuals over the past couple of years now no longer qualify for traditional funding.
The biggest, SKS Microfinance, runs at over $500 per share and looks like it went public sometime last year. Microfinance lenders appear to have a whole different set of criteria they use for granting loans to lower income individuals. Also, of those that have received Microfinancing, only 3% have defaulted on their loans.
This is the future and the USA is just beginning to really catch on to it. Additionally, due to the nature of Microfinance and the communities it serves, the IMPACT socially is very favorable, IMO.
Speaking the truth in times of universal deceit is a revolutionary act. ~ George Orwell
