Abstract
This paper is designed to survey the existing literatures on the issue of financial sustainability of microfinance institutions working with group-lending approach. The paper is based on secondary data and information. The most highlighted feature of microfinance program is embodied in the innovation of group-lending approach introduced by the Grameen Bank (GB) in Bangladesh. Even though most of the micro­finance institutions have their striking results of reaching to the poorest borrowers with high repayment rates, most of them are, however, still dependent on the subsidized or soft-term loans. Grameen Bank, with all its success in poverty alleviation and in increasing living standard of the rural poor, is yet to achieve financial sustainability to a fullest form. Should it increase the lending rate, should it reduce its operating costs to a greater extent, or should it try to diversify its investment, or should it try to mobilize savings as a base for re-lending? All these questions are still open for further research and planning.