Bangladesh, Aug. 22 -- Nearly half of rural families turn to microfinance institutions (MFIs) to meet their financial needs, a new study has found.

Only 5.37 percent of families get loans from banks and non-bank financial institutions.

The findings come from the Comprehensive Rural Finance Study (CRFS).

The Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development (InM), a non-government organisation, conducted the study with support from Bangladesh Bank.

The findings were formally unveiled at Lakeshore Grand Hotel in Dhaka's Gulshan on Saturday.

InM Executive Director Mustafa K Mujeri led the three-year study.

The research assessed the financial situation, access to services and financial behaviour of rural families and institutions.

It pro...