The core mission of financial institutions is to deliver financial products and services to their clients. However, many microfinance institutions (MFIs) leverage their position in the communities they operate in to offer more than just financial products; this added dimension is often referred to as “microfinance plus.”

Through microfinance plus, MFIs might offer products or services related to health, education, energy, or environmental programs. These programs are sometimes linked to financial products, or they may be standalone products or services that are designed to bring about greater impact in communities, provide greater customer satisfaction, and encourage more people to become and remain clients. These products and services may be offered directly by the financial service provider or in partnership with other specialized organizations. Providing these additional services can be costly, so institutions often seek to find a balance between the cost of these services and potential income.