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FRAME: Framework for Reporting, Analysis, Monitoring, and Evaluation

Download the FRAME Tool and Framework Manual for FREE!

SEEP is proud to release FRAME 2.0, with over nineteen new features that were most requested by you, the FRAME users! Read on for more information:

What’s new in FRAME 2.0?

FRAME 2.0 offers a variety of new features, including an advanced Import function, the ability to create and view graphs, and improved printing options. WThe tool offers, for the first time, a way to aggregate data from multiple branches in the same MFI. FRAME 2.0 gives users a new option to do monthly or quarterly (rather than year-to-date) budgeting, reporting, and ratio analysis. FRAME also now has a space to enter projected values for up to four years into the future, plus a report for comparing budgeted and actual figures. Finally, the tool is cleaner and easier to use, with additional historical years, more user-defined subaccounts, better tab and display management, and improved error checking and warnings.

Does FRAME 2.0 run on all versions of Excel?

VERY IMPORTANT:FRAME 2.0 WILL run on all versions of Excel (from 97 through Excel 2007), but your copy of Excel MUST be current through downloading patches and updates from Microsoft. Due to the greatly enlarged number of features and formulas in FRAME 2.0, the new version will not open on unpatched versions of Excel. If you are not sure if you need updates, you can click here to download a simple tool that will check to see if your Excel can run FRAME 2.0. You can also open up Excel, and on the Help menu, select "Check for Updates."

Is FRAME 2.0 available in multiple languages?

NEW: Yes! FRAME 2.0 is available in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, and Chinese.

Can I continue to use older versions of FRAME?

Yes! We are keeping FRAME 1.14 available for you to download and update. When you fill out the download information, you will have the option of downloading either version 2.0 or version 1.14.

What if I find a problem using FRAME 2.0?

As with any new software, there may be small errors in FRAME 2.0. SEEP is counting on you, the user community, to help us find any of these errors. If you have problems using FRAME 2.0, please email us at the FRAME Help Desk and let us know.

The FRAME: Introduction

SEEP's FRAME Tool and companion manual, Measuring Performance of Microfinance Institutions (the Framework), represent an initiative towards reaching global standards for microfinance performance monitoring and reporting. The FRAME Tool and Framework complement each other, and should be used in conjunction.

The FRAME Tool, and Framework ratios, were developed by and for microfinance practitioners, in conjunction with raters, network organizations, donors, and investors.

You may download the FRAME Tool and Framework, FREE of charge, by clicking on the "FRAME tool and Framework download" link in the gray box to the right.

FRAME Tool Version

The current version of the FRAME Tool is 2.06 (last updated 10 July 2008). This version includes the addition of Spanish, French, Arabic, and Chinese, as well as several fixes of small errors to FRAME 2.03.

FRAME Training

Visit the FRAME Training Cornerfor information on FRAME trainings!

Languages

The FRAME Tool has options for English, Spanish, French, Mandarin, and Arabic (for Russian please contact the FRAME help desk).

The Framework manual is available in English, French, Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish, and Russian, and Portuguese (NEW!); you may download any or all of the translations by following the English download link above.

SEEP is pleased to announce that users may now navigate the entire FRAME download process in English, French, Spanish, Arabic and Mandarin! Simply follow the link in the gray box above in the respective language. SEEP would like to thank Grameen Foundation for their effort and contributions toward this process.

Measuring Performance of Microfinance Institutions:A Framework for Reporting, Analysis, and Monitoring

FRAME Supplemental Materials

FRAME User's Guide:

SEEP offers a FRAME Tool User's Guide, which helps the reader understand how to input data, customize the tool, and create financial reports using FRAME. Please note however that the User's Guide is NOT yet updated for FRAME 2.0. Download the User's Guide here.

FRAME Demos

SEEP also offers six new automated demos introducing FRAME users to common tasks. If you are using Internet Explorer, click on the link to open or save the demo. If you are using Firefox or another browser, right-click on the link and select "Save Link As" to properly save the file to your computer.

1. FRAME Introduction: Introduce yourself to SEEP's FRAME reporting and analysis tool with this video demonstration.
2. The Data Input Sheet--Basic: Learn how to input data on the FRAME Tool.
3. The Data Input Sheet--Advanced: Learn the advanced features of the Data Input sheet of the FRAME Tool.
4. The Adjustments Input Sheet--Benchmarking Method: Learn how to incorporate adjustments, using the benchmarking method.
5. Adjustments Input Sheet -- True Performance Method: Learn how to incorporate adjustments, using the True Performance method.
6. Performance Monitoring Reports: Learn how to generate different types of financial reports from the FRAME Tool.

FRAME Update Log

Here are the changes made to all versions of FRAME in the past year:

2.06 Released 10 Jul 2008
  • Completed Spanish, French, and Chinese translations
  • Corrected some formulas for section A3 on AdjInput for fixed asset and equity values
2.05 Released 5 Jun 2008
  • Completed Arabic translation
  • Enabled translation dropdown
2.03 Released 14 May 2008
  • Corrected R4Px Formulas; were not including fee income; only had interest income; also, avg gross portfolio figures were inconsistent
  • DataInput: C48 showed wrong figure for Year 1 and Year 2
  • DataInput: corrected formula for P5[0] for Year 2
  • DataInput: correction to internal count-of-entries-in-column for "current year columns" to avoid showing negative figures on OutputMon for first incomplete month
  • Ratios: Correct calculation of average loan amount in the by-product subaccount lines for R17
  • Import process was not bringing in all data starting with imports made from 2.0; imports from earlier versions was working properly
  • Variance: Correct report to show "benchmarks" when "most recent period" selected
2.02 Released 14 April 2008
  • Corrected "Plan YTD"column for MMR, QMR, BoardRep, and DonorRep sheets
2.01 Released 21 March 2008
  • Corrected "% Achieved" and "YTD Variance" columns for MMR, QMR, BoardRep, and DonorRep sheets
2.0 Released 7 March 2008
  • Advanced Import function
  • Basic analytical graphs
  • Improved Printing options
  • Option for periodic (monthly/quarterly) rather than YTD, values; ability to do budgeting, ratios, and reporting with periodic values
  • Basic compatibility with Excel 2007
  • Aggregation Sheet for multiple branches of an MFI
  • Variance Report to compare actual vs. budgeted data; or to compare current and historical data
  • Addition of two historical years of data
  • Ability to input up to four years of projected data; abolity to calculate ratios and adjustments with projected data
  • Improved error-checking and warnings
  • More user-defined subaccounts
  • Ability to print the DataOutput sheet
1.14 Released 31 July 2007
  • Correction to Trend formula in Trend Calculation section of MMR/QMR/BoardRep/DonorRep sheets; was using "current" value for denominator instead of "previous"

The Purpose of the Framework

The Framework assists MFI managers in developing consistent performance monitoring systems based on international standards and in creating financial statements for boards of directors, donor agencies, and investors.

Accompanied by the FRAME tool, the Framework teaches microfinance practitioners how to categorize, analyze, and use financial data for monitoring purposes. It offers templates and corresponding instructions for generating such standard reports as an income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, portfolio and activity report, and non-financial data report. And it explains how to calculate and use 18 core ratios (the “SEEP 18”) to evaluate an MFI’s performance in four key areas: profitability and sustainability; asset/liability management; portfolio quality; and efficiency and productivity.

Based on the work of a roundtable of donors, rating agencies, and The SEEP Network, the Framework and FRAME Tool represent the consensus of leading experts in the microfinance field.

Help Desk

SEEP has an online help desk for all of your FRAME questions! Contact us at FRAME@seepnetwork.org for any technical questions related to the FRAME Tool.

Purchase Information

The Framework book is available as a free download (click on the box in the upper-right corner of this page). If you would prefer to have the Framework in hardcopy book form, you may purchase it in quantity orders only. Cost is $15 per book plus shipping and handling. Please call (202) 884-8392 for more information.


Recently Added Documents

Results of FRAME Survey

In January 2007, the SEEP Network held an online survey via www.surveymonkey.com to assess the use of the SEEP FRAME and Framework financial performance reporting tool. The survey asked questions about institutional type, use of the FRAME and Framework, FRAME training, desired features in FRAME 2.0, and barriers to uptake.

A total of 57 individuals responded to the survey—45 individuals from 41 identified organizations, plus 12 anonymous responses. This indicates a response rate of approximately 6% of all individuals who received notice. This document summarizes the results of the survey, and describes SEEP's next steps in developing FRAME 2.0 based on user input.

FRAME Tool User's Guide

This User's Guide to the FRAME Tool is a companion to the FRAME Tool and Framework Manual offered by SEEP.

In contrast to the Framework Manual, which deals with the content (ratios and definitions) of using the FRAME, this User's Guide addresses the technical issues of using the FRAME software: how to input data, customize the tool, and create financial reports.

Please note: This document is 3 MB and may take several moments to download.

FRAME Frequently Asked Questions

This document offers an FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) for those wishing to become better acquainted with SEEP's FRAME financial reporting and monitoring tool.

FRAME Demo: Adjustments Input Sheet -- True Performance Method

Learn how to use the Adjustments feature of the FRAME Tool, using the True Performance method. This demo is no. 5 in a series of six. (If your connection speed is low, you may wish to save the tool to your computer, then run it.)

FRAME Demo: Performance Monitoring Reports

Learn how to create performance monitoring reports using the FRAME Tool on this video demonstration. This demo is no. 6 in a series of six. (If your connection speed is low, you may wish to save the tool to your computer, then run it.)
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