Microsavings contribute to smooth consumption, cope with emergencies and increase the
welfare of poor households. We use data from an original survey administered to a sample of Bangladeshi
women, all members of a small microfinance institution (MFI), to analyze the individual socio-economic
characteristics associated with microsavings. The data show that the poor are financially sophisticated and
use several different (formal and informal) savings devices. We also highlight a positive association between
the length of the relationship with the MFI and the propensity to save, especially with formal and
semi-formal devices. While we cannot identify a causal effect of MFI membership, the descriptive evidence
is consistent with the hypothesis that microfinance may contribute to the awareness of the potential
benefits of savings and expand access to alternative formal savings devices.