Microfinance in the U.S.

www.Kiva.org just opened operations in the U.S. The microfinance site has focused on the working poor in the third world until now. It turns out that Americans, too, could use loans of $0-$10,000, interest free. That last detail is critical. By not charging interest, Kiva maintains it is a charitable organization - not a bank or a securities issuer subject to U.S. regulation. Regulation would render the operation too onerous to continue.