MFIs participate in the data collection for the MicroBanking Bulletin on a voluntary basis. The institutions provide information about portfolio performance, account practices, subsidies, and liability structure to MIX.  The MFIs provide substantiating documentation, such as audited financial statements, annual reports, institutional appraisals, and other materials that help them, MIX, and our readers to better understand their operations. In return, MIX provides each MFI with a customized financial performance report, based on performance indicators that cover various aspects of the MFI's operations.

The MIX Benchmarks, published in the MicroBanking Bulletin, use a peer group framework that draws on the full data set of contributing microfinance institutions.  The MIX Trend Lines, on the other hand, draw only on microfinance institutions that have reported for at least four consecutive years to MIX.  This data is used extensively by MIX for other research publications.

The production of benchmarks ensures the highest comparability for MFI data on a global scale. MFIs' accounts are reclassified according to international standard terms and definitions. Because of the varying macroeconomic environments, levels of subsidy and provisioning for risk, MIX applies industry standard analytical adjustments to the MFIs' accounts.

The benchmarks and trend lines allow:

• Comparison of an institution's performance to its peer group and to all participating MFIs.
• MFI managers and board members to monitor their institution's performance.

MIX partners with national and regional microfinance actors to enhance our ability to gather and analyze MFI performance indicators.

MIX serves networks, raters and other service providers by:

• Collecting, adjusting and reporting data at the national/regional level and in customized peer groups.
• Offering customized data analyses to compare member institutions to external peer groups.
• Providing training for microfinance actors to collect data, monitor and benchmark the performance of their affiliate MFIs.

MIX does not independently verify the information. Neither MIX nor its funders can accept responsibility for the validity of the information presented or consequences resulting from its use by third parties.