Lending to microfinance sector now counts for more than 10 per cent of the whole lending portfolio of the banking system. The quality of the microfinance loans has been satisfactory. On average, the portfolio at risk is between 1.5-2 percent, according to their reports. This is not only because of their small size (usually under 1.5 thousand euros each), but also because of the diversity of the projects, ensuring diversification of the loan portfolio. One should also say that the experience gained by the microfinance institutions in this area, have also played an important role for this good quality. The legal framework on microfinance was completed in 1996, with the approval of a special law that defined the principles upon which such institutions could be found and operate. Such principles for the specialized institutions included free will, reciprocal cooperation, capitalization of the profit and reinvestment in the community etc. Later developments made it necessary for the Law to change. Hence, a new Law “On Savings and Loans Associations and their Unions” was approved in Parliament on May of 2001. Several changes supported this new law. Besides the principles that were restated, the Law has defined the legal personality of the microfinance institutions, their permitted activities, the rights and the obligations of the members of the association, the managing structures of the associations and their functions, other important supervisory financial requirements and ratios, the role of the Unions and that of the Bank of Albania as the regulatory and the supervisory authority.
With the mission of promoting stability of international financial architecture and monetary system, he has organized roughly 100 seminars around the world facilitating dialogue among high-ranking officials, academics and market participants. I had the pleasure of attending some of his seminars and can only compliment to his expertise and passion to do great work at any time. Marc, it is a true pleasure and privilege working with you. I hope that we will be able to do this again. Please, the floor is all yours. Thank you! 2/2  BIS central bankers' speeches