This book investigates the complex history of microfinance and explores the social architecture of contemporary financial institutions to give the reader a clear sense of the state of the art in this important area of finance. This is a key starting point for anyone who wants to understand or become directly involved in microfinance.About the Author: Satyananda Gabriel is professor of economics and finance at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts. He is the author of (Routledge, 2006), as well as other writings on China and economic development. Michael Hinckley is an investment banking analyst at Deutsche Bank in New York. Hannie Jawaid is currently an analyst at Citigroup.