Micro loans at home and abraod

I have always thought of micro loans as a concept relegated to tiny businesses and community-minded credit unions in Third World countries.

So I was surprised, today, to learn about a company that connects individuals across North America with microfinance institutions in the developing world. Anyone can donate a maximum of $25 and indicate where that want that money to go. Apparently about 99% of the loans are paid back. It seems like a nice way to make a real difference in a far-away place.

The article is at:

http://thetyee.ca/News/2007/11/15/Microcredit/

It also mentions VanCity's microcredit and peer-lending programs.