
This paper explores if the current trend towards product diversification can be an appropriate policy response for enhanced poverty outreach, in particular when combining microcredit with savings and insurance. By reviewing cross-sectional evidence of 250 microfinance schemes in Latin America and the Caribbean,one can find positive effects of combined microfinance (CMF) on the breadth of outreach. Still, the contribution of CMF on the depth of poverty outreach is less evident, both viewed from an income-related and gender-sensitive lens.