the grameen bank is a community development bank started in bangladesh. they give small loans (known as microcredit or "grameencredit" ) to poor people without asking for money before the loan is given. the word "grameen", is made of the word "gram" or "village", and means "of the village". the system of this bank is based on the idea that the poor have skills but have no chance to use their skills without some money. the bank also controls some businesses, such as fabric, telephone and energy companies. most of the banks loans go to women.