"In many developing countries, small-scale enterprises and micro-entrepreneurs face severe financing constraints. But with access to finance they can participate fully in the economic life of their societies, create employment for themselves and others and realize their full potential. Where such businesses are given opportunities to develop, countries will have a better chance to flourish."

The formal financial system has traditionally viewed the poor as "un-bankable", due to their perceived lack of collateral, small loan sizes, and low potential for repayment.

Without access to formal financial services, the poor must often resort to borrowing from moneylenders at exorbitant interest rates; or participate in local Rotating Savings and Credit Associations, which require deposits, and provide inflexible loan amounts at rigid time intervals, these informal financial services are often very costly, risky, and inconvenient.

"The Lead Foundation" was created as a Microfinance Institution to address this imbalance with a mission to reach the very poor.