Watch CNBC Managing Asia edition interview with Professor Muhammad Yunus.

Yunus discusses the history of Grameen Bank and the perils of for-profit microfinancing. He argues, "we never intended to make a profit out of [microcredit]. This is exactly what we are fighting against, the loan shark."

Maria in her Salon/ Shoe Store in Queens, NY

Maria runs a shoe store and hair salon in Queens ― a rather unusual business combination. Maria has proven she can sell shoes to clients while they wait to get their hair done. With the help of Grameen America, she has been able to make this unique business succeed, renting a chair in a salon and buying a full stock of inventory worth $20,000. On her sixth loan of $7,000, Maria recently hired an assistant, thereby contributing to the local employment of her community.

Maria generates a steady income of approximately $1,000 per week to cover personal expenses, build savings, and even support her daughter’s business.