Micro-credit programmes provide low interest loans for the economically marginalised who cannot gain access to credit from conventional banks.

BBC: Low interest loans for Latin Americans

It is much closer to a performance fee than an equity stake (managers can only gain from the carried interest, which cannot be negative).

ECONOMIST: Private equity: Carried away | The

Meister alleges that when Sapir entered the loan agreement with Blackstone-controlled GSO Re Onshore LLC on October of 2006, not only was he mislead by his own attorney, who stood to gain financially by having Sapir sign the 20% interest loan, but that Sapir had been suffering from aphasia.

FORBES: In Courtroom Twist, Real Estate Mogul Pleads Mental Illness

The inflated partnership interest is then sold at a loss and the phony loss is used to offset a real gain from the sale of appreciated stock or other assets.

FORBES: Hide the Baby