A form of banking that has helped alleviate poverty in the Third World may soon open its first branch in Scotland.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Professor Muhammad Yunus visited Glasgow yesterday to give a talk on the work of his Grameen Bank, whose microtransaction-based lending policy has helped thousands of people in some of the world's poorest countries.

Grameen gives small unsecured loans for social business development, alongside community-orientated financial advice.

Picture: Colin Mearns.