Despite significant innovations in rural microfinance over the years, millions of people around the world still do not have access to financial services. Can linkages and strategic alliances between formal and informal financial institutions and private firms help resolve this problem? Drawing on 12 case studies and one review conducted in 11 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, the authors show how formal financial institutions and companies use a variety of less formal, often rural, organizations to overcome the information and enforcement problems of serving rural clients. Research indicates that these linkages seem to afford both partners the opportunity to overcome weaknesses experienced when working on their own. This book is of interest to al involved in rural development, particularly those concerned with financing economic development and innovation. This title is published in association with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.