UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934


        Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): January 8, 2001
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                           MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
                           ---------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                                  MASSACHUSETTS
                                  -------------
                 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)


               1-14771                           04-2962824
           ------------------------------------------------------------
          (Commission file number) (IRS Employer Identification Number)

                 950 WINTER STREET, WALTHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 02451
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               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)


       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (781) 890-0177
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Item 5.  Other Events.
         ------------

         Pursuant  to  Form  8-K,  General  Instructions  F,  Registrant  hereby
incorporates by reference the press release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.

Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.
         ---------------------------------

         Exhibit                           Exhibit Title
         -------                           -------------

         Exhibit 99                        Press Release dated January 8 2001







                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Securities  and Exchange Act of 1934,  as
amended,  the  Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                   MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
                                   Registrant



                                   By:  /s/ Peter R. Bleyleben
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                         Peter R. Bleyleben
                                         President

Dated:  January 8, 2001