The course will provide an introductory overview of risk management for MFIs. In addition to the "traditional" risks MFIs are exposed to: credit, liquidity, operational and market risks; the course will seek to expound on the analysis of frequently ignored but perhaps even more important risks facing MFIs: reputational, institutional, political and mission drift risks. The course will include case studies and group activities. In class discussions will touch on recent cases of MFIs that have failed.

Given that risk management covers various levels of an organization, and with the objective of arriving at a better understanding of how to integrate the management of risk within the organizational and operational structure of an MFI, the course will explore different relationships between multiple levels of the MFIs´ structure (from Board members and management to credit officers). Emphasis will be placed on the importance of good governance in risk management

The course is directed towards a wide variety of potential participants. Although the course does not require specific pre-requisites, basic knowledge of financial/accounting terms as well as how an MFI operates will give participants a solid base with which to comprehend and take away the most they can from the course. Board Members and high level managers as well as donors/investors should greatly benefit from the course.