Credit Risk Management on Financial Performance of Selected Microfinance Institutions

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to look at the impact of credit risk management on the financial performance of a few Kenyan microfinance firms. The study's approach was a descriptive survey research design and a panel data analysis technique. The study comprised credit managers from all 52 Kenyan microfinance institutions registered in the Association of Microfinance Institutions in Kenya (AMFI) database. The study included all of the institutions that were targeted. The questionnaire, which had previously been tested on local microfinance banks in Kakamega County, was used to collect data. Data analysis included regression analysis and correlation. Throughout the data collection process, the researcher observed integrity. Tables were used to present the study's findings. According to the model summary, credit risk management accounts for 49.1% of the variance in the financial performance of Kenyan MFIs, while other factors not included in the study model account for the remaining 50.9%. With a p-value of 0.01 that is statistically significant. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that a one-unit change in credit risk management resulted in a significant improvement of 0.672 units in microfinance institution performance (= 0.672 (0.087); at p.01). The study found that prudent and effective credit risk management boosts net profit margins, return on capital invested, and cash flow. The study adds to existing theories by emphasizing the importance of credit risk management in microfinance, lays the groundwork for future research, and advises Kenyan microfinance organizations to invest in efficient credit risk management to improve their financial performance. The report also suggests that studies on Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs) be conducted to compare study findings and that the Association of Microfinance Institutions do studies on non-registered microfinance across the country.