The effects of asset securitization on sustainability & profitability of microfinance institutions in Ghana

Abstract

Asset Securitization is a process that involves repackaging portfolios of cash-flow-producing financial instruments into securities or tradable capital market instruments for transfer to investors. There have been a number of studies on asset securitization and microfinance but most of these studies did not focus on the effects of asset securitization on sustainability and profitability of microfinance institutions. These studies were conducted in developed economies and little has been done in Africa and for that matter Ghana. This study therefore sought to explore the effects of asset securitization on sustainability and profitability of MFIs in Ghana knowing the important role they play in the Ghanaian economy. The objectives were to determine whether asset securitization is being practiced in Ghana, to determine whether asset securitization will improve the sustainability and profitability of microfinance institutions (MFI’s) as well as challenges that may arise. As a qualitative research, the case study approach was employed in the research design. Questionnaires were administered to a sample size of 200 respondents from a population of 517 who were drawn from the management and staff of five microfinance companies selected through convenience and purposeful sampling techniques. The findings are that asset securitization in microfinance is currently not being practiced in Ghana but if implemented, it will have a positive effect on the sustainability and profitability of microfinance companies in Ghana. The study identified some challenges that microfinance institutions may face in the introduction of asset securitization in Ghana.