The Effect of Short-Term Debt on Profitability among Deposit-Taking Microfinance Institutions. A Critical Literature Review

Abstract

Purpose:  Very few deposit-taking microfinances institutions are profitable. Most of them report loses in every financial year. The making of the losses may be a result of inefficiency in short term debts. The overall objective of this study was to examine influence of equity financing on the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises.

Methodology: The paper used a desk study review methodology where relevant empirical literature was reviewed to identify main themes and to extract knowledge gaps.

Findings: From the findings of the study, the study concludes that short term debt had a positive and significant association on the profitability of the deposit-taking microfinance. The study also concludes that short term debt has a positive and significant relationship on the profitability of the deposit-taking microfinance. This means that profitability would increase with a proportionate increase in in the level of the short-term debt when all other factors affecting the profitability of the organizations are held constant. The study showed that when the company borrows, availability of sufficient funds to finance the available assets of the company, which in return improves in the level of performance.

Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: Based on the coefficients of determination, the study recommends that policymakers in the microfinance institutions should use short term debt for the financing of the activities. The cost of the short-term debts is minimal and generally offers lower interest charges, and most lenders do not charge interest until all credit allowance period is breached and therefore becomes useful for companies