Title: Deposits and financial sustainability of deposit-taking microfinance institutions: evidence from low income Sub-Saharan Africa

Authors: Zibusiso Moyo; Sophia Mukorera; Phocenah Nyatanga

Addresses: Department of Finance, National University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box AC939, Ascot, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe ' School of Accounting, Economics and Finance, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, Pietermaritzburg Campus, South Africa ' School of Accounting, Economics and Finance, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, Pietermaritzburg Campus, South Africa

Abstract: This study examined the relationship between deposits and financial sustainability of Deposit-taking Microfinance Institutions (DTMFIs) due to a number of such institutions having collapsed previously in Africa. Panel data spanning 2006 to 2017 from the Microfinance Information Exchange of 64 DTMFIs sampled across 18 Low Income Sub-Saharan Africa (LISSA) countries was utilised. Through probit regression, the study found that the likelihood of attaining financial sustainability by the LISSA DTMFIs is negatively affected by small scale deposits, unfavourable loan loss provisions, deteriorating loan portfolio quality and costly branch coverage. The study recommends low cost, large scale deposit operations, efficiency in managing operating expenses, credit enhancements and restrictive deposit-taking licencing.

Keywords: scales of deposits; financial sustainability; DTMFIs; LISSA.

DOI: 10.1504/AAJFA.2024.137361

Afro-Asian Journal of Finance and Accounting, 2024 Vol.14 No.2, pp.229 - 245

Accepted: 07 Mar 2022
Published online: 14 Mar 2024 *

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