MICROFINANCE

More private investment firms are making small loans to entrepreneurs in developing countries in the philanthropic field of microfinance, reports The Wall Street Journal. Once an area considered to be mostly the domain of government and nonprofit organizations, some investing firms, including Deutsche Bank’s $75-million microfinance investment fund, are now steering money to the loans. But the investors emphasize that the money is not charity—a return is expected on the company’s loan.

Also: Read The Chronicle’s article on Pierre Omidyar’s $100-million gift to Tufts University to support microfinance loans. (A paid subscription is required to read these articles.)