programs, and commercial banks like ABN AMRO, HSBC and Citicorp are rushing down-market, which could increase access to credit for the poor. Some 500 million poor worldwide have reportedly benefited from billion in micro-loans, which supporters want to ramp up to 0 billion. But its critics say there is no solid evidence that microfinance makes a difference, either in developing the economy or reducing poverty. … microfinance microcredit loans rural poverty women empowerment India …