Client Protection Standards (CPS)

M-CRIL offers Client Protection – Lite for institutions that are embarking on the Client Protection journey

In response to market interest from regulators, microfinance networks, and smaller financial service providers, M-CRIL has developed the CP Lite Introductory Qualification which draws on M-CRIL’s engagement with Client Protection and its longstanding experience in ratings and assessments. The CP Lite tool focuses on a core set of sub-indicators (47 core) of the client protection standards and has a phased approach, which provides a pragmatic framework for FSPs to strengthen their systems incrementally and allows institutions to demonstrate that they are on the path to improved levels of compliance and ready to join the CP Pathway.

Please note that the current tool is aligned with the ALINUS indicators of SPI-4 (https://cerise-spm.org/en/alinus/). The indicators will be revised based on the revision of the ALINUS indicators.

ALINUS stands for “ALigning INvestors due-diligence and reporting with the Universal Standards” and is a subset of CERISE-SPI-4 indicators. These indicators were selected by investors in inclusive finance to assist in their due diligence with financial service providers.


For more information on the tool and approach, please write to Sudhir Narayan, sudhirnarayan@m-cril.com

The CP Lite Qualification includes:

  • All seven Client Protection Standards
  • All Client Protection Indicators in the ALINUS version of Social Performance Indicators (SPI) – as they have global acceptance with investors
  • Additional 10 indicators which in M-CRIL’s experience are important for responsible finance

Benefits of CP Lite Qualification:

  • CP Lite qualification is a manageable step, especially for smaller size institutions, towards conforming with global best practices.
  • Completion will confirm a small institution’s compliance with critical elements of client protection
  • Demonstrate a commitment to client responsibility in its operations.