Bangladesh

I learned today of a new banking system that began in the rural towns of Bangladesh meant to help people and their entire communities out of poverty. Normal banks deal with millions of dollars on a daily basis and worry about the privileged 1/3 of the population with expendable cash. This banking system, known as the Grameen Bank, involves selling "micro loans" or small loans, the average going for about $85. The bank mostly gives loans out to women since they tend to focus more on the future while guys use fast cash for immediate pleasures. The women who get the loans will gather once a week to pay their dues and talk about their troubles. It's this gathering of women who decide whether the bank will sell a lone to someone by reviewing the payment plan and all the other good stuff. (all of this is overseen by a banker of course) This system of banking has proven to be very affective with a 99% of loans being payed off and 65% of communities involved in this system have been completely pulled out of poverty.