<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>MicroCapital &#187; Emily Liu</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.microcapital.org/author/eliu/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.microcapital.org</link>
	<description></description>
	<lastBuildDate>Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:29:37 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1</generator>
		<item>
		<title>MICROCAPITAL STORY: Intercontinental Bank of Nigeria Partners with Nigeria&#8217;s Oyo State Government to Launch Microfinance Scheme</title>
		<link>http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-intercontinental-bank-of-nigeria-partners-with-nigerias-oyo-state-government-to-launch-microfinance-scheme/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=microcapital-story-intercontinental-bank-of-nigeria-partners-with-nigerias-oyo-state-government-to-launch-microfinance-scheme</link>
		<comments>http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-intercontinental-bank-of-nigeria-partners-with-nigerias-oyo-state-government-to-launch-microfinance-scheme/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 16 Jun 2008 05:01:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Emily Liu</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Africa]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.microcapital.org/?p=2181</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Intercontinental Bank Plc, a Nigerian based commercial bank, recently announced a microfinance partnership with the government of Oyo, a state in southwestern Nigeria. The Oyo government has set aside NGN 1 billion (approximately USD 8.6 million) to launch a microfinance scheme with the purpose of alleviating poverty, improving Oyo state&#8217;s current economic state and providing [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span class="s1"><a href="http://www.intercontinentalbankplc.com/">Intercontinental Bank Plc</a></span>, a Nigerian based commercial bank, <span class="s1">recently announced</span> a microfinance partnership with the government of <a href="http://www.oyostategov.com/"><span class="s1">Oyo</span></a>, a state in southwestern Nigeria.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The Oyo government has set aside <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/200806060728.html"><span class="s1">NGN 1 billion</span></a> (approximately USD 8.6 million) to launch a microfinance scheme with the purpose of alleviating poverty, improving Oyo state&#8217;s current economic state and providing unbanked individuals with access to financial services.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Details regarding specifics of the microfinance scheme were not released although <a href="http://www.businessdayonline.com/"><span class="s1">BusinessDay Nigeria</span></a>, a business print and online publication, <a href="%22http:"><span class="s1">reported</span></a> that the funding would be used to establish a new microfinance bank.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>BusinessDay Nigeria reports that Oyo state government and Intercontinental Bank would split the equity share of the potential bank 50:50.<span id="more-2181"></span></p>
<p class="p1">Founded in 1989 as a merchant bank, <a href="http://www.intercontinentalbankplc.com/"><span class="s1">Intercontinental Bank Plc</span></a> is engaged in commercial and retail banking, wealth management and corporate banking.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>In <a href="http://%22ht"><span class="s1">1999</span></a>, Intercontinental became a commercial bank and in <a href="http://www.intercontinentalbankplc.com/about_us.asp?title=Our%20History"><span class="s1">2002</span></a>, it became a publicly quoted company listed on the <a href="http://www.nigerianstockexchange.com/"><span class="s1">Nigerian Stock Exchange</span></a>.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>According to the <a href="http://www.intercontinentalbankplc.com/oprational_highlights_content.asp"><span class="s1">financial data</span></a> released by Intercontinental in February 2008, the bank has total assets of NGN 1.4 trillion (approximately USD 12 billion) and total assets plus contingents of <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/200806100724.html"><span class="s1">NGN 1.7 trillion</span></a> (approximately USD 14.6 billion), which is up 108 percent from last year.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This makes Intercontinental the largest bank in Nigeria by total assets.</p>
<p class="p3">The collaboration will be carried out by Intercontinental Bank&#8217;s microfinance unit, Blue Intercontinental Microfinance Bank (BIMFB).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>BIMFB is a joint venture between Intercontinental Bank and <a href="http://www.blue.co.za/2007/index.htm"><span class="s1">Blue Financial Services</span></a>, a South African microfinance institution (MFI) that trades on the <a href="http://www.jse.co.za"><span class="s1">Johannesburg Stock Exchange</span></a> under the symbol <a href="http://investing.businessweek.com/businessweek/research/stocks/financials/financials.asp?symbol=BFSJ.J"><span class="s1">BFSJ</span></a>.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>MicroCapital <a href="%22http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-south-african-microfinance-institution-mfi-blue-f"><span class="s1">recently reported</span></a> on BIMFB&#8217;s initial capitalization at NGN 3 billion (approximately USD 25.9 million), an unprecedented level for a microfinance bank.</p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">AllAfrica.com: <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/200806060728.html"><span class="s3">&#8220;Nigeria: Oyo, Bank Fight Poverty with N1bn&#8221;</span></a> by Ola Ajayi</span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">AllAfrica.com: <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/200806100724.html"><span class="s3">&#8220;Nigeria: Intercontinental Bank&#8217;s Assets Base Hits N1.7 Trillion&#8221;</span></a> by Linda Eroke</span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Business Week: <a href="http://investing.businessweek.com/businessweek/research/stocks/financials/financials.asp?symbol=BFSJ.J"><span class="s3">Blue Financial Services: Financial Statements</span></a></span></p>
<p class="p5">Blue Financial Services: <a href="http://www.blue.co.za/2007/index.htm"><span class="s1">Home</span></a></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">BusinessDay Nigeria: <a href="http://www.businessdayonline.com/banking/Micro-Finance/1989.html"><span class="s3">&#8220;Oyo Govt. Releases N1bn for Micro Finance Bank&#8221;</span></a> by Remi Feyisipo</span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">BusinessDay Nigeria: <a href="http://www.businessdayonline.com/banking/Micro-Finance/5746.html"><span class="s3">&#8220;Intercontinental, SA Firma Form N3bn Micro-Finance Bank&#8221;</span></a> by Nse Akpan</span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Daily Trust: <a href="%22http://www.dailytrust.com/index.php?option=com_content&amp;task="><span class="s3">&#8220;Micro Finance Banking&#8217;ll Grow Nigeria&#8217;s Economy&#8221;</span></a> by Yemi Bamidele</span></p>
<p class="p1">Johannesburg Stock Exchange: <a href="http://www.jse.co.za/"><span class="s1">Home</span></a></p>
<p class="p1">Intercontinental Bank Plc: <a href="http://www.intercontinentalbankplc.com/"><span class="s1">Home</span></a>, <a href="http://www.intercontinentalbankplc.com/about_us.asp?title=Our%20History"><span class="s1">History</span></a>, <a href="http://www.intercontinentalbankplc.com/oprational_highlights_content.asp"><span class="s1">Financials</span></a></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">MicroCapital.org Article: <a href="%22http://www.mic"><span class="s3">&#8220;South African Microfinance Institution (MFI) Blue Financial Services and Nigeria&#8217;s Intercontinental Bank to Launch $25.9m Microfinance&#8221;</span></a></span></p>
<p class="p1">Nigerian Stock Exchange: <a href="http://www.nigerianstockexchange.com/"><span class="s1">Home</span></a></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Nigerian Tribune: <a href="http://www.tribune.com.ng/10062008/mon/banking.html"><span class="s3">&#8220;Intercontinental Bank Partners Oyo State on Micro-Finance&#8221;</span></a></span></p>
<p class="p1">Oyo State Government: <a href="http://www.oyostategov.com/"><span class="s1">Home</span></a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-intercontinental-bank-of-nigeria-partners-with-nigerias-oyo-state-government-to-launch-microfinance-scheme/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>MICROCAPITAL STORY: Nigerian Nonprofit Microfinance Institution, Development Exchange Centre (DEC), Loans Approximately $2.5m to Women in Northern Nigerian States</title>
		<link>http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-nigerian-nonprofit-microfinance-institution-development-exchange-centre-dec-loans-approximately-25m-to-women-in-northern-nigerian-states/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=microcapital-story-nigerian-nonprofit-microfinance-institution-development-exchange-centre-dec-loans-approximately-25m-to-women-in-northern-nigerian-states</link>
		<comments>http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-nigerian-nonprofit-microfinance-institution-development-exchange-centre-dec-loans-approximately-25m-to-women-in-northern-nigerian-states/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 16 Jun 2008 05:01:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Emily Liu</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Africa]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.microcapital.org/?p=2180</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Development Exchange Centre (DEC) of Nigeria recently loaned NGN 292 million (approximately USD 2.5 million) to 30,000 women in various Nigerian northern states. In a set of statistics released by DEC, the organization said the loan was made in hopes to reduce poverty and enhance the economic status of women in the affected states. Founded [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="p2"><span class="s1"><a href="%22http://www.mixmarket.org/en/demand/demand.show.profile.asp?ett=">Development Exchange Centre</a></span> (DEC) of Nigeria <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/200712271017.html"><span class="s1">recently loaned</span></a> NGN 292 million (approximately USD 2.5 million) to 30,000 women in various Nigerian northern states.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>In a set of statistics released by DEC, the organization said the loan was made in hopes to reduce poverty and enhance the economic status of women in the affected states.<span id="more-2180"></span></p>
<p class="p1">Founded in <a href="%22http://www.oxfamnovib.nl/id.html?id=PROJ_DETAIL&amp;pid=NI"><span class="s1">1987</span></a> as a non-government organization (NGO), <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/demand/demand.show.profile.asp?ett=32"><span class="s1">DEC</span></a> was established through a <a href="%22http://www.oxfamnovib.nl/id.html?id=PROJ_DETAIL&amp;pid=NIA-504838-0"><span class="s1">joint venture</span></a> between <a href="http://www.cuso.ca/"><span class="s1">Canadian University Services Overseas</span></a> (CUSO), a nonprofit organization that promotes development in developing nations, and the Adult and Non-formal Education Agency (ANFEA), a Nigerian state agency whose <a href="http://www.reflect-action.org/resources/publications/rights-governance.pdf"><span class="s1">objective</span></a> is to increase literacy.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>DEC first started as a <a href="http://www.wiserearth.org/user/Yelmison"><span class="s1">resource center</span></a> for groups of women to share and exchange development information.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Since then, it has expanded its objectives to include microfinance services, community development initiatives, literacy classes and various capacity building and entrepreneurship skill development workshops.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The organization is split into <a href="http://www.oxfamnovib.nl/id.html?id=PROJ_DETAIL&amp;pid=NIA-504838-0005393"><span class="s1">two units</span></a>‚ one which concentrates on microfinance and another which focuses social development issues such as adult literacy, gender awareness, water, sanitation and hygiene.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Currently, DEC operates through <a href="http://www.leadershipnigeria.com/product_info.php?products_id=19444&amp;osCsid=b1b7ba5352875a40ebea427819dd58c1"><span class="s1">20</span></a> branches and has <a href="%22http://www.leadersh"><span class="s1">12</span></a> microfinance offices</p>
<p class="p1">According to <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/demand/demand.show.profile.asp?ett=32"><span class="s1">2006 financial data</span></a> provided by the <span class="s1">Microfinance Information Exchange</span> (MIX), DEC had total assets of USD 2.7 million with a gross loan portfolio of USD 1.5 million.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>More recent data from the <a href="http://www.grameenfoundation.org/"><span class="s1">Grameen Foundation</span></a>, a nonprofit organization based in Washington D.C., shows that DEC had a gross loan portfolio of <a href="http://Grameen%20Foundation,%20a%20nonprofit%20organization%20based%20in%20Washington%20D.C."><span class="s1">USD 2.3 million</span></a> in December 2007.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>No further information is available regarding DEC or the funding source of DEC&#8217;s current loan of USD 2.5 million.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>DEC obtains most of its funding through membership fees, income from consultancy services and donations from nonprofit and non-governmental organizations such as the <a href="http://www.fordfound.org/%22%20%5Co%20%22Ford%20Foundation"><span class="s1">Ford Foundation</span></a>, the <a href="http://www.undp.org"><span class="s1">United Nations Development Programme</span></a> and <a href="http://www.actionaid.org"><span class="s1">ActionAid International Nigeria</span></a>.</p>
<p class="p1">At the end of 2006, DEC reported a return on assets of -2.32 percent and a return on equity of -3.13 percent.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>These numbers are down from 2005, when DEC&#8217;s return on assets was 8.47 percent and its return on equity was 11.62 percent.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>As of December 2007, DEC had <a href="http://www.grameenfoundation.org/where_we_work/sub_saharan_africa/nigeria/dec/"><span class="s1">35,726</span></a> active borrowers.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The organization focuses its development efforts on women, as it was <a href="%22http://www.wiserearth.org/"><span class="s1">originally established</span></a> after research findings by CUSO and ANFEA showed that women in rural areas of Nigeria are greatly disadvantaged socially and economically.</p>
<p class="p1">DEC is currently working with <a href="http://www.novib.nl/"><span class="s1">Oxfam Novib</span></a>, the Dutch subsidiary of <a href="http://www.oxfam.org/"><span class="s1">Oxfam International</span></a>, a confederation of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) founded in <a href="http://www.oxfam.org/en/about/who/"><span class="s1">1995</span></a> with the purpose of reducing poverty.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Oxfam Novib has lent DEC <a href="http://www.oxfamnovib.nl/id.html?id=PROJ_DETAIL&amp;pid=NIA-504838-0005393"><span class="s1">EUR 339,500</span></a> in an effort to help the organization increase its active clients by <a href="%22http://www.oxfamnovib.nl/id.html?id=PROJ_DETAIL&amp;pid"><span class="s1">73,132</span></a> and its total branches by <a href="http://www.oxfamnovib.nl/id.html?id=PROJ_DETAIL&amp;pid=NIA-504838-0005393"><span class="s1">26</span></a>.</p>
<p class="p1">Additional Resources:</p>
<p class="p1">ActionAid International: <a href="http://www.actionaid.org"><span class="s1">Home</span></a></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">AllAfrica.com: <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/200712271017.html"><span class="s3">&#8220;Nigeria: NGO Disburses N292 Million Credit to 30,000 Women&#8221;</span></a></span></p>
<p class="p1">Canadian University Services Overseas: <a href="http://www.cuso.ca/"><span class="s1">Home</span></a></p>
<p class="p1">Ford Foundation: <a href="%22http://www.fordfou"><span class="s1">Home</span></a></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Grameen Foundation: <a href="http://www.grameenfoundation.org/"><span class="s3">Home</span></a>, <a href="http://www.grameenfoundation.org/where_we_work/sub_saharan_africa/nigeria/dec/"><span class="s3">Development Education Centre</span></a></span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Leadershipnigeria.com: <a href="http://www.leadershipnigeria.com/product_info.php?products_id=19444&amp;osCsid=b1b7ba5352875a40ebea427819dd58c1"><span class="s3">&#8220;NGO Disburses N292m Credit To 30,000 Women&#8221;</span></a></span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">MIX Market: <a href="%22http://www.mixmarket.org/en/demand/demand.show.profile.asp?"><span class="s3">Profile for DEC</span></a></span></p>
<p class="p1">Oxfam International: <a href="http://www.oxfam.org/"><span class="s1">Home</span></a>, <a href="http://www.oxfam.org/en/about/who/"><span class="s1">About</span></a></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Oxfam Novib: <a href="http://www.novib.nl/"><span class="s3">Home</span></a>, <a href="%22http://www.oxfamnovib.nl/id.html?id=PROJ_"><span class="s3">DEC Microfinance Programme 2008-2010</span></a></span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s3"><a href="http://www.reflect-action.org/resources/publications/rights-governance.pdf">&#8220;Reflect, Rights and Governance: Insights from Nigeria and South Africa&#8221;</a></span><span class="s2"> by Kate Newman, ActionAid International</span></p>
<p class="p1">United Nations Development Programme: <a href="http://www.undp.org"><span class="s1">Home</span></a></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Wiserearth.org: <a href="http://www.wiserearth.org/user/Yelmison"><span class="s3">Samuel B. Yelmison: Development Exchange Centre</span></a></span></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-nigerian-nonprofit-microfinance-institution-development-exchange-centre-dec-loans-approximately-25m-to-women-in-northern-nigerian-states/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>MICROCAPITAL STORY: United Bank for Africa Group Plc (UBA) of Nigeria Invests $25m to Establish Microfinance Subsidiary, UBA Microfinance Bank Limited</title>
		<link>http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-united-bank-for-africa-group-plc-uba-of-nigerial-invests-25m-to-establish-microfinance-subsidiary-uba-microfinance-bank-limited/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=microcapital-story-united-bank-for-africa-group-plc-uba-of-nigerial-invests-25m-to-establish-microfinance-subsidiary-uba-microfinance-bank-limited</link>
		<comments>http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-united-bank-for-africa-group-plc-uba-of-nigerial-invests-25m-to-establish-microfinance-subsidiary-uba-microfinance-bank-limited/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:28:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Emily Liu</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Key Players]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.microcapital.org/?p=2156</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[United Bank for Africa Group Plc (UBA) of Nigeria, the largest financial services institution by total assets in West Africa, recently announced that it will invest USD 25 million in initial capital to open a microfinance subsidiary, UBA Microfinance Bank Limited. UBA Microfinance was established to provide poor people who are un-banked or under-banked with [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p align="left"><a href="http://www.ubagroup.com/">United Bank for Africa Group Plc</a> (UBA) of Nigeria, the <a href="http://www.ubagroup.com/group_info/about.asp">largest</a> financial services institution by total assets in West Africa, recently announced that it will invest <a href="http://www.microcapital.org/?p=2076">USD 25 million</a> in initial capital to open a microfinance subsidiary, UBA Microfinance Bank Limited.  UBA Microfinance was established to provide poor people who are un-banked or under-banked with access to financial services.  UBA&#8217;s Chief Executive Officer, Tony Elumelu <a href="http://www.microcapital.org/?p=2076">adds</a>, &#8220;We have people in small businesses and they need some advisory services to enable them to run their business right.  They have the potentials, the economic conditions are right; but they don&#8217;t know how to go about it.&#8221;  <span id="more-2156"></span></p>
<p align="left">UBA Microfinance Bank will target a <a href="http://www.ubagroup.com/news/pressnews_051408.asp">client base</a> that encompasses micro and small enterprises and family and rural business, with an emphasis on businesses owned by women.  UBA Microfinance hopes to provide <a href="http://www.ubagroup.com/news/pressnews_051408.asp">services</a> which include micro lending, micro investment, micro deposits and small business advisory.  Elumelu <a href="http://www.vanguardngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&amp;task=view&amp;id=8272&amp;Itemid=0">says</a> that UBA will operate &#8220;the new [microfinance] bank from within all the [current commercial] branches of the bank in the urban and rural communities, while separate structures [will be] put in place to meet the upsurge in demand of services by the micro-banking public&#8221;.  Currently, UBA is trying to get approval for establishing <a href="http://www.ubagroup.com/news/pressnews_051408.asp">six</a> additional branches of the microfinance bank from the <a href="http://www.cenbank.org/IntOps/FXMarket.asp">Central Bank of Nigeria</a>, the Nigerian government&#8217;s central bank founded in <a href="http://www.cenbank.org/AboutCBN/history.asp">1958</a>.</p>
<p align="left">Founded in <a href="http://www.ubagroup.com/group_info/about.asp">1961</a>, <a href="http://www.ubagroup.com/">UBA</a> is the result of a <a href="http://www.ubagroup.com/group_info/about.asp">merger</a> between United Bank for Africa and Standard Trust Bank (STB), both of which are Nigerian banks.  The merger made UBA the largest bank, by total asset size, in West Africa.  Today, UBA serves as a commercial and retail bank for <a href="http://www.ubagroup.com/group_info/about.asp">6 million</a> customer accounts in <a href="http://www.ubagroup.com/group_info/about.asp">Nigeria and Ghana</a>, with branches in New York and the Cayman Islands.  As of September 2007, UBA had total assets of <a href="http://www.ubagroup.com/brochures/IR/2007%20Annual%20Report%20&amp;%20Financial%20Statements.pdf">USD 9.7 billion</a>, a <a href="http://www.ubagroup.com/brochures/IR/2007%20Annual%20Report%20&amp;%20Financial%20Statements.pdf">35 percent</a> increase from total assets in September 2006.</p>
<p align="left">Microfinance is a rapidly growing industry in the West Africa region.  The <a href="http://www.irinnews.org/">Integrated Regional Information Networks</a> (IRIN), a news publication that is part of the <a href="http://ochaonline.un.org/">United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs</a>, reported that, as of October 2006, there are <a href="http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=61432">more than 650</a> microfinance institutions (MFIs) in West Africa serving some <a href="http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=61432">6 million</a> customers.  UBA&#8217;s founding of a microfinance bank is part of a trend of commercial banks investing <a href="http://www.ingmicrofinance.com/uploads/ul_A%20Billion%20to%20Gain%20-Next%20Phase,%20March%2008%20Adobe%207.pdf">increasing amounts</a> in microfinance, as <a href="http://www.microcapital.org/?p=1890">reported</a> by MicroCapital.  Large commercial banks such as <a href="http://www.citi.com/citigroup/citizen/community/index.htm">Citigroup</a>, <a href="http://www.community.db.com/">Deutsche Bank</a> and <a href="http://www.morganstanley.com/globalcitizen/microfin/index.html">Morgan Stanley</a> have their own microfinance groups or units.  Elizabeth Littlefield, Chief Executive Officer of the <a href="http://www.cgap.org/portal/site/cgap/">Consultative Group to Assist the Poor</a> (CGAP), <a href="http://www.forbes.com/2007/12/20/elizabeth-littlefield-microfinance-biz-cz_el_1220littlefield.html">says</a> that &#8220;local commercial banks are beginning to see opportunities at the low end of their retail market.&#8221;</p>
<p align="left">Additional Resources:</p>
<p align="left">Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN): <a href="http://www.cenbank.org/IntOps/FXMarket.asp">Home</a>, <a href="http://www.cenbank.org/AboutCBN/history.asp">About</a></p>
<p align="left">Citigroup: <a href="http://www.citi.com/citigroup/citizen/community/index.htm">Citigroup Microfinance Group</a></p>
<p align="left">Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP): <a href="http://www.cgap.org/portal/site/cgap/">Home</a></p>
<p align="left">Deutsche Bank: <a href="http://www.community.db.com/">DB Microcredit Development Fund</a></p>
<p align="left">Forbes: <a href="http://www.forbes.com/2007/12/20/elizabeth-littlefield-microfinance-biz-cz_el_1220littlefield.html">&#8220;The Changing Face of Microfinance Funding&#8221;</a> by Elizabeth Littlefield</p>
<p align="left">ING Microfinance: <a href="http://www.ingmicrofinance.com/uploads/ul_A%20Billion%20to%20Gain%20-Next%20Phase,%20March%2008%20Adobe%207.pdf">&#8220;A Billion to Gain? &#8211; The Next Phase&#8221;</a></p>
<p align="left">Integrated Regional Information Networks: <a href="http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=61432">&#8220;Senegal: On the Make with Microfinance&#8221;</a></p>
<p align="left">MicroCapital.org News Wire: <a href="http://www.microcapital.org/?p=2076">Nigeria: United Bank for Africa Invests $25m to Open Microfinance Bank</a></p>
<p align="left">MicroCapital.org Paper Wrap-Up: <a href="http://www.microcapital.org/?p=1890">ING Report States that Global Banks Doubled Microfinance Loans Last Year</a></p>
<p align="left">Morgan Stanley: <a href="http://www.morganstanley.com/globalcitizen/microfin/index.html">Microfinance Institutions Group</a></p>
<p align="left">United Bank for Africa Group Plc (UBA): <a href="http://www.ubagroup.com/">Home</a>, <a href="http://www.ubagroup.com/group_info/about.asp">About</a>, <a href="http://www.ubagroup.com/brochures/IR/2007%20Annual%20Report%20&amp;%20Financial%20Statements.pdf">2007 Annual Report</a></p>
<p align="left">United Bank for Africa Group Plc (UBA) Press Release: <a href="http://www.ubagroup.com/news/pressnews_051408.asp">&#8220;UBA Launches N3BN Microfinance Bank&#8221;</a></p>
<p align="left">Vanguard: <a href="http://www.vanguardngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&amp;task=view&amp;id=8272&amp;Itemid=0">&#8220;UBA Launches Micro-Finance Bank&#8221;</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-united-bank-for-africa-group-plc-uba-of-nigerial-invests-25m-to-establish-microfinance-subsidiary-uba-microfinance-bank-limited/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>MICROCAPITAL STORY: Citibank Bangladesh Provides Microfinance Institution ASA of Bangladesh with $10m in Financing</title>
		<link>http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-citibank-bangladesh-provides-microfinance-institution-asa-of-bangladesh-with-10m-in-financing/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=microcapital-story-citibank-bangladesh-provides-microfinance-institution-asa-of-bangladesh-with-10m-in-financing</link>
		<comments>http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-citibank-bangladesh-provides-microfinance-institution-asa-of-bangladesh-with-10m-in-financing/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:13:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Emily Liu</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Asia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Key Players]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.microcapital.org/?p=2155</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Citibank Bangladesh (Citi Bangladesh), the Bangladeshi banking arm of Citigroup (Citi), a global financial services firm, has signed a credit facility agreement with ASA, a Bangladeshi microfinance institution (MFI), which provides ASA with USD 10 million.  This financing will allow ASA to expand its microfinance portfolio and to disburse its funds to a larger number [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p align="left"><a href="http://www.asia.citibank.com/bangladesh/corporate">Citibank Bangladesh</a> (Citi Bangladesh), the Bangladeshi banking arm of <a href="http://www.citigroup.com/">Citigroup</a> (Citi), a global financial services firm, has signed a credit facility agreement with <a href="http://www.asabd.org/">ASA</a>, a Bangladeshi microfinance institution (MFI), which provides ASA with <a href="http://www.citigroup.com/citigroup/press/2008/080605b.htm">USD 10 million</a>.  This financing will allow ASA to expand its microfinance portfolio and to disburse its funds to a larger number of micro-entrepreneurs.  Citi Bangladesh has agreed to provide the USD 10 million in the local currency, Taka (BDT).<span id="more-2155"></span></p>
<p align="left">First established in <a href="http://www.asia.citibank.com/CBKWebPortal/appmanager/citibanker/hm_bd_co_en;CBKPORTALID=RzqfLLfGyN0VlRq1Gy0pR4GvvvjT9kspYcBMmRwX2nZGTFsLCKpL!-112586745?_nfpb=true&amp;_windowLabel=extLandPageLeft_1_6&amp;extLandPageLeft_1_6_actionOverride=%2Fcbk%2Fcontrol%2Fpagefl">1987</a> in Dhaka, Citi Bangladesh provides corporate and investment banking services under the umbrella of <a href="http://www.citigroup.com/">Citigroup</a>, an American bank engaged in commercial and retail banking, private banking, asset management and investment banking.  <a href="http://www.asia.citibank.com/CBKWebPortal/ShowBinary/BEA%20Repository/Attachment/bd/en/co/8548/FINAL_Paper_AD.jpg">2007 financial statements</a> show that Citi Bangladesh had total assets of BDT 31.9 billion (approximately USD 475.1 million).  Citi Bangladesh also reported a return on assets of <a href="http://www.asia.citibank.com/CBKWebPortal/ShowBinary/BEA%20Repository/Attachment/bd/en/co/8548/FINAL_Paper_AD.jpg">2.13 percent</a>.</p>
<p align="left">Citi&#8217;s microfinance division, <a href="http://www.citi.com/citigroup/microfinance">Citi Microfinance</a>, was established in <a href="http://www.citi.com/citigroup/microfinance/about.htm">2005</a> as a London-based business unit to increase access to financial services in numerous countries.  Citi Microfinance is working with various MFIs to provide services such as financial products, financing, individual lending, access to local capital markets, foreign exchange and interest rate hedging, remittances and insurance.  In 2006, Citi Bangladesh <a href="http://www.citi.com/citigroup/microfinance/data/initiatives.pdf">worked with</a> Boston-based investment firm <a href="http://www.rsacap.com/">RSA Capital</a> and development banks <a href="http://www.kfw-entwicklungsbank.de/EN_Home/index.jsp">KfW Entwicklungsbank</a> (KfW) of Germany and <a href="http://www.fmo.nl/">The Netherlands Development Finance Company</a> (FMO) to provide the <a href="http://www.brac.net/">Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee</a> (BRAC), the world&#8217;s <a href="http://www.brac.net/pressreleases_files/pr09.htm">largest</a> &#8220;national non-governmental organization&#8221; (NGO), with <a href="http://www.brac.net/pressreleases_files/pr09.htm">BDT 12.6 billion</a> (approximately USD 180 million) in financing.  MicroCapital <a href="http://www.microcapitalmonitor.com/cblog/index.php?/archives/283-Worlds-First-Microcredit-Securitization-180-Million-Deal-Between-Bangladesh-Rural-Advancement-Committee,-RSA-Capital,-Citigroup,-Netherlands-Development-Finance-Company,-and-KfW-Entwicklungsb">reported</a> on the transaction in its monitor.</p>
<p align="left"><a href="http://www.asabd.org/">ASA</a> is an MFI based in Dhaka, Bangladesh and established in <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/demand/demand.show.profile.asp?ett=140">1979</a>, with its microfinance division starting in <a href="http://www.asabd.org/">1991</a>.  ASA provides microfinance services by extending loans to micro-entrepreneurs and by providing technical and financial assistance to numerous MFIs and financial services institutions in Bangladesh.  The <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/demand/demand.show.profile.asp?ett=140">2006 financial data</a> provided by the <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/">Microfinance Information Exchange</a> (MIX) shows that ASA had total assets of USD 355.3 million and a gross loan portfolio of USD 305.3 million.  At the end of 2006, ASA&#8217;s return on assets was 14.4 percent, and its return on equity was 26.08 percent.  ASA has 5.2 million active borrowers with 79.3 percent of these borrowers being women.  MicroCapital recently reported on ASA&#8217;s <a href="http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-bangladesh-based-asa-to-allocate-funds-from-historic-150m-equity-deal-toward-microlending-outside-bangladesh/">historic equity offering</a> of USD 150 million, which ASA will use to target funds at MFIs outside of Bangladesh.</p>
<p align="left">Additional Resources:</p>
<p align="left">All Headline News: <a href="http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7011175023">&#8220;Citibank Provides $10 Million To Bangladesh Microfinance&#8221;</a> by Siddique Islam</p>
<p align="left">ASA: <a href="http://www.asabd.org/">Home</a>, <a href="http://www.asabd.org/">Global Micro Finance</a>, <a href="http://www.asabd.org/">Profile</a></p>
<p align="left">Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC): <a href="http://www.brac.net/">Home</a></p>
<p align="left">Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC) Press Release: <a href="http://www.brac.net/pressreleases_files/pr09.htm">&#8220;BRAC Launches World&#8217;s First Micro-credit Securitisation&#8221;</a></p>
<p align="left">Citigroup: <a href="http://www.citigroup.com/">Home</a>, <a href="http://www.asia.citibank.com/bangladesh/corporate">Citibank Bangladesh</a>, <a href="http://www.asia.citibank.com/CBKWebPortal/appmanager/citibanker/hm_bd_co_en?_nfpb=true&amp;_windowLabel=extLandPageLeft_1_6&amp;extLandPageLeft_1_6_actionOverride=%2Fcbk%2Fcontrol%2Fpageflow%2FextLandPageLeft%2FshowContent">About Citibank Bangladesh</a>, <a href="http://www.asia.citibank.com/CBKWebPortal/ShowBinary/BEA%20Repository/Attachment/bd/en/co/8548/FINAL_Paper_AD.jpg">2007 Citibank Bangladesh Financial Statements</a>, <a href="http://www.citi.com/citigroup/microfinance">Citi Microfinance</a>, <a href="http://www.citi.com/citigroup/microfinance/about.htm">About Citi Microfinance</a>, <a href="http://www.citi.com/citigroup/microfinance/data/initiatives.pdf">Citi Microfinance Initatives</a></p>
<p align="left">Citigroup Press Release: <a href="http://www.citigroup.com/citigroup/press/2008/080605b.htm">&#8220;Bangladesh: Citibank Provides USD10 Million Credit Facility to ASA&#8221;</a></p>
<p align="left">KfW Entwicklungsbank: <a href="http://www.kfw-entwicklungsbank.de/EN_Home/index.jsp">Home</a></p>
<p align="left">MicroCapital.org Article: <a href="http://www.microcapitalmonitor.com/cblog/index.php?/archives/283-Worlds-First-Microcredit-Securitization-180-Million-Deal-Between-Bangladesh-Rural-Advancement-Committee,-RSA-Capital,-Citigroup,-Netherlands-Development-Finance-Company,-and-KfW-Entwicklungsb">World&#8217;s First Microcredit Securitization: $180 Million Deal Between Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee, RSA Capital, Citigroup, Netherlands Development Finance Company, and KfW Entwicklungsbank</a></p>
<p align="left">MicroCapital.org Article: <a href="http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-bangladesh-based-asa-to-allocate-funds-from-historic-150m-equity-deal-toward-microlending-outside-bangladesh/">Bangladesh-based ASA to Allocate Funds from Historic $150m Equity Deal Toward Microlending Outside Bangladesh</a></p>
<p align="left">MicroCapital.org Article: <a href="http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-ing-review-of-citigroup%e2%80%99s-microfinance-activities-and-its-syndicated-loan-securitizations-for-compartamos-sks-microfinance-and-brac/">ING Review of Citigroup&#8217;s Microfinance Activities and Its Syndicated Loan Securitizations for Compartamos, SKS Microfinance, and BRAC</a></p>
<p align="left">MIX Market: <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/demand/demand.show.profile.asp?ett=140">Profile for ASA</a></p>
<p align="left">RSA Capital: <a href="http://www.rsacap.com/">Home</a></p>
<p align="left">The Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO): <a href="http://www.fmo.nl/">Home</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-citibank-bangladesh-provides-microfinance-institution-asa-of-bangladesh-with-10m-in-financing/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>MICROCAPITAL STORY: Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Approves Integrated Microfinance Bank Limited of Nigeria (IMFB) to Become a Nigerian “State Microfinance Bank”</title>
		<link>http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-central-bank-of-nigeria-cbn-approves-integrated-microfinance-bank-limited-of-nigeria-imfb-to-become-a-nigerian-%e2%80%9cstate-microfinance-bank%e2%80%9d/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=microcapital-story-central-bank-of-nigeria-cbn-approves-integrated-microfinance-bank-limited-of-nigeria-imfb-to-become-a-nigerian-%25e2%2580%259cstate-microfinance-bank%25e2%2580%259d</link>
		<comments>http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-central-bank-of-nigeria-cbn-approves-integrated-microfinance-bank-limited-of-nigeria-imfb-to-become-a-nigerian-%e2%80%9cstate-microfinance-bank%e2%80%9d/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:08:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Emily Liu</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regulation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.microcapital.org/?p=2154</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigerian government&#8217;s central bank founded in 1958, recently gave Integrated Microfinance Bank Limited (IMFB), a Nigerian microfinance institution, approval to become a &#8220;state microfinance bank&#8221;, as affiliated with the Nigerian government.  This will allow IMFB to establish new branches in any of the 36 states of Nigeria.  Microfinance banks [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p align="left">The <a href="http://www.cenbank.org/IntOps/FXMarket.asp">Central Bank of Nigeria</a>, the Nigerian government&#8217;s central bank founded in <a href="http://www.cenbank.org/AboutCBN/history.asp">1958</a>, recently gave <a href="http://www.imfb-bank.com/">Integrated Microfinance Bank Limited</a> (IMFB), a Nigerian microfinance institution, <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/200806020124.html">approval</a> to become a &#8220;state microfinance bank&#8221;, as affiliated with the Nigerian government.  This will allow IMFB to establish new branches in any of the <a href="http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2836.htm">36</a> states of Nigeria. <span id="more-2154"></span></p>
<p align="left">Microfinance banks (MFBs) are usually required to obtain approval from the CBN before starting operations in another state.  According to the <a href="http://www.cenbank.org/out/Publications/guidelines/dfd/2006/microfinance%20policy.pdf">Microfinance Policy, Regulatory and Supervisory Framework for Nigeria</a>, written by the CBN, MFBs wishing to start operations in a new state must have satisfactorily covered two-thirds of the local government areas (LGAs) of the previous state they were operating in.  In addition, MFBs must have approximately <a href="http://www.cenbank.org/out/Publications/guidelines/dfd/2006/microfinance%20policy.pdf">USD 172,332</a> in free funds to start a new branch in another state.  According to the CBN, these regulations are in place to <a href="http://www.cenbank.org/out/Publications/guidelines/dfd/2006/microfinance%20policy.pdf">ensure</a> full spread of the microfinance market across Nigeria and to avoid concentration of MFBs in areas where a large number of financial institutions already exist.  MicroCapital recently <a href="http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-central-bank-of-nigeria-warns-of-mission-drifting-by-microfinance-institutions/#more-2036">reported</a> on the Nigerian government&#8217;s concern about the higher distribution of MFBs in the south and the limited outreach of MFBs in the north.</p>
<p align="left">The <a href="http://www.imfb-bank.com/" target="_blank">IMFB</a> website states that it was founded and incorporated in <a href="http://www.imfb-bank.com/aboutus.html" target="_blank">2006</a> by a <a href="http://www.imfb-bank.com/aboutus.html" target="_blank">&#8220;group of investors&#8221;</a>, after being granted approval by the CBN.  No further information is available about the identity of these investors.  IMFB is the <a href="http://www.imfb-bank.com/aboutus.html">first</a> microfinance bank (MFB) in Nigeria and started with an initial share capital of approximately <a href="http://www.imfb-bank.com/aboutus.html">USD 2.2 million</a>, which has most recently increased to approximately <a href="http://www.imfb-bank.com/aboutus.html">USD 17.2 million</a>.  The bank&#8217;s primary goal is to provide unbanked individuals and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with access to financial services.  Currently, IMFB operates <a href="http://www.imfb-bank.com/branches.html">8</a> branches and <a href="http://www.imfb-bank.com/branches.html">37</a> business offices in three Nigerian states, and hopes to expand its operations to include <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/200806020124.html">7</a> more branches by September.</p>
<p align="left">According to the most recent <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/demand/demand.show.profile.asp?ett=2737">financial data</a> provided by the <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/">Microfinance Information Exchange</a> (MIX), IMFB has total assets of USD 22.5 million with a gross loan portfolio of USD 7.0 million.  At the end of 2007, IMFB had 8,641 active borrowers, and average loan balance per borrower was USD 816.  Simon Akinteye, managing director and chief executive officer of IMFB, hopes that the bank&#8217;s customer base will grow by 5,000 individuals per week before the end of July this year.</p>
<p align="left">Additional Resources:</p>
<p align="left">AllAfrica.com: <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/200806020124.html">&#8220;Nigeria: CBM Grants IMFB State Status&#8221;</a></p>
<p align="left">Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN): <a href="http://www.cenbank.org/IntOps/FXMarket.asp">Home</a>, <a href="http://www.cenbank.org/AboutCBN/history.asp">About</a>, <a href="http://www.cenbank.org/out/Publications/guidelines/dfd/2006/microfinance%20policy.pdf">Microfinance Policy, Regulatory and Supervisory Framework for Nigeria</a></p>
<p align="left">Integrated Microfinance Bank Limited (IMFB): <a href="http://www.imfb-bank.com/">Home</a>, <a href="http://www.imfb-bank.com/aboutus.html">About</a>, <a href="http://www.imfb-bank.com/branches.html">Branches</a></p>
<p align="left">MicroCapital.org Article, May 2008:  <a href="http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-central-bank-of-nigeria-warns-of-mission-drifting-by-microfinance-institutions/#more-2036">Central Bank of Nigeria Warns of Mission Drifting by Microfinance Institutions</a></p>
<p align="left">MIX Market: <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/demand/demand.show.profile.asp?ett=2737">Profile for IMFB</a></p>
<p align="left">U.S. Department of State: <a href="http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2836.htm">Nigeria</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-central-bank-of-nigeria-cbn-approves-integrated-microfinance-bank-limited-of-nigeria-imfb-to-become-a-nigerian-%e2%80%9cstate-microfinance-bank%e2%80%9d/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>MICROCAPITAL STORY: Ghanaian Government Loans $625k to Individuals and Groups in the Upper East Region of Ghana through its Microfinance and Small Loans Centre, MASLOC</title>
		<link>http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-ghanaian-government-loans-625k-to-individuals-and-groups-in-the-upper-east-region-of-ghana-through-its-microfinance-and-small-loans-centre-masloc/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=microcapital-story-ghanaian-government-loans-625k-to-individuals-and-groups-in-the-upper-east-region-of-ghana-through-its-microfinance-and-small-loans-centre-masloc</link>
		<comments>http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-ghanaian-government-loans-625k-to-individuals-and-groups-in-the-upper-east-region-of-ghana-through-its-microfinance-and-small-loans-centre-masloc/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Jun 2008 06:30:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Emily Liu</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Key Players]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.microcapital.org/?p=2152</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), the microcredit unit of the Ghanaian government, recently loaned GHS 610,000 (approximately USD 625,243) to 3,500 individuals in the Upper East Region of Ghana.  MicroCapital recently reported on MASLOC&#8217;s loans of GHS 300,000 (USD 303,797) to entrepreneurs in the Upper West Region of Ghana. Individual beneficiaries will receive [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p align="left">The Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), the microcredit unit of the Ghanaian government, <a href="http://www.modernghana.com/news/167877/1/about-3500-people-in-upper-east-region-to-benefit-.html">recently loaned</a> GHS 610,000 (approximately USD 625,243) to 3,500 individuals in the Upper East Region of Ghana.  MicroCapital recently <a href="http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-the-government-of-ghana-loans-ghs-300000-usd-303797-to-entrepreneurs-in-upper-west-region-through-masloc-the-micro-finance-and-small-loans-centre/#more-2136">reported</a> on MASLOC&#8217;s loans of GHS 300,000 (USD 303,797) to entrepreneurs in the Upper West Region of Ghana.<span id="more-2152"></span></p>
<p align="left">Individual beneficiaries will receive between GHS 1,000 (approximately USD 1,025) and GHS 2,500 (approximately USD 2,562) and will pay an interest rate equal to the Bank of Ghana prime rate of <a href="http://www.bog.gov.gh/privatecontent/File/MPAFSD/MPC%20PRESS%20RELEASE%20May%202008(new).pdf">16 percent</a> plus another 2.5 percent.  Groups will receive GHS 2,500 (approximately USD 2,562) to GHS 20,000 (approximately USD 20,500) and pay a 10 percent interest rate.  In addition, groups will be given a month grace period and only those individuals involved in agriculture ventures will be given a year&#8217;s grace period on interest payments. </p>
<p align="left">The loans will be given to individuals and groups of all trades who need financial assistance to start or expand their businesses.</p>
<p align="left">The Ghanaian government established MASLOC in <a href="http://www.thestatesmanonline.com/pages/news_detail.php?newsid=385&amp;section=5">2004</a> to <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/200805080616.html">manage</a> the government&#8217;s micro and small credit programs.  The Centre was created as part of the <a href="http://siteresources.worldbank.org/GHANAEXTN/Resources/Ghana_PRSP.pdf">Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy</a>, a policy agenda for poverty reduction and economic growth laid out by the Ghanaian government and the <a href="http://worldbank.org/">World Bank</a>, a development organization providing financial and technical support to developing nations.  MASLOC recently loaned <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/200805080616.html">GHS 18.3 million</a> (approximately USD 18.8 million) to 30,000 beneficiaries.  Lawrence Prempeh, the chief executive officer (CEO) of MASLOC, revealed that his organization plans to loan another <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/200805080616.html">GHS 37 million</a> (approximately USD 37.9 million) to 127,000 beneficiaries in the coming future.</p>
<p align="left">Additional Resources:</p>
<p align="left">AllAfrica.com: <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/200805080616.html">&#8220;MASLOC Disburses GHS 18.3 million to 30,000 Beneficiaries&#8221;</a> by Michael Boateng</p>
<p align="left">Bank of Ghana Press Release: <a href="http://www.bog.gov.gh/privatecontent/File/MPAFSD/MPC%20PRESS%20RELEASE%20May%202008(new).pdf">&#8220;Monetary Policy Committee Press Release May 2008&#8243;</a></p>
<p align="left"><a href="http://siteresources.worldbank.org/GHANAEXTN/Resources/Ghana_PRSP.pdf">&#8220;Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy: An Agenda for Growth and Prosperity&#8221;</a>, World Bank and Government of Ghana: February 2003</p>
<p align="left">MicroCapital.org Article, June 2008: <a href="http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-the-government-of-ghana-loans-ghs-300000-usd-303797-to-entrepreneurs-in-upper-west-region-through-masloc-the-micro-finance-and-small-loans-centre/#more-2136">The Government of Ghana Loans GHS 300,000 (USD 303,797) to Entrepreneurs in Upper West Region through MASLOC, the Micro-finance and Small Loans Centre</a></p>
<p align="left">Modern Ghana: <a href="http://www.modernghana.com/news/167877/1/about-3500-people-in-upper-east-region-to-benefit-.html">&#8220;About 3,500 People to Benefit From MASLOC &#8211; Prempeh&#8221;</a>, by GNA</p>
<p align="left">The Statesman: <a href="http://www.thestatesmanonline.com/pages/news_detail.php?newsid=385&amp;section=5">&#8220;$50m Boost for Average Ghanaian&#8221;</a>, by Ayuure Kapini Atafori</p>
<p align="left">World Bank: <a href="http://worldbank.org/">Home</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-ghanaian-government-loans-625k-to-individuals-and-groups-in-the-upper-east-region-of-ghana-through-its-microfinance-and-small-loans-centre-masloc/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>MICROCAPITAL STORY: Asian-Pacific Members of World Savings Bank Institute (WSBI) of Belgium and Korea Federation of Savings Banks (KFSB) Commit to Improving Microfinance Services in Korea and Asia-Pacific Region</title>
		<link>http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-asian-pacific-members-of-world-savings-bank-institute-wsbi-of-belgium-and-korea-federation-of-savings-banks-kfsb-commit-to-improving-microfinance-services-in-korea-and-asia-pac/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=microcapital-story-asian-pacific-members-of-world-savings-bank-institute-wsbi-of-belgium-and-korea-federation-of-savings-banks-kfsb-commit-to-improving-microfinance-services-in-korea-and-asia-pac</link>
		<comments>http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-asian-pacific-members-of-world-savings-bank-institute-wsbi-of-belgium-and-korea-federation-of-savings-banks-kfsb-commit-to-improving-microfinance-services-in-korea-and-asia-pac/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 29 May 2008 16:28:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Emily Liu</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Asia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Key Players]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.microcapital.org/?p=2109</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Asian-Pacific members of the World Savings Bank Institute (WSBI), an association of retail and savings banks located in 92 countries, have committed to improving microfinance services and giving poor people greater access to financial services.  The agreement was part of the Seoul Resolution, adopted at the 14th annual meeting of WSBI members in the Asian-Pacific [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Asian-Pacific members of the <a href="http://www.wsbi.org/">World Savings Bank Institute</a> (WSBI), an association of retail and savings banks located in <a href="http://www.wsbi.org/template/content.aspx?id=110">92</a> countries, have committed to <a href="http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/05/123_24615.html">improving</a> microfinance services and giving poor people greater access to financial services.  The agreement was part of the <a href="http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2008/05/123_24636.html">Seoul Resolution</a>, adopted at the 14<sup>th</sup> annual meeting of WSBI members in the Asian-Pacific region.  About <a href="http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/05/123_24615.html">150</a> delegates from <a href="http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/05/123_24615.html">10</a> countries and <a href="http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/05/123_24615.html">16</a> savings banks participated in the meeting.<span id="more-2109"></span></p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/05/123_24615.html">theme</a> of the meeting was &#8220;Developing Cooperation Within the WSBI Network&#8221;, and one of the major agenda points of the meeting was to encourage WSBI members to cooperate with international organizations, governments and other members to improve microfinance services.  This is to include the <a href="http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2008/05/123_24636.html">sharing</a> of WSBI and KFSB members&#8217; experiences and best practices in the area of microfinance for the purpose of developing innovative business models.  WSBI President, Jose Antonio Olavarrieta <a href="http://www.microcapital.org/?p=2100">added</a> that, &#8220;Korea should share its best practices with members of the WSBI networks to define what would be the most appropriate and adapted microfinance model for Korean savings banks&#8221;.  Olavarrieta also believes a <a href="http://www.microcapital.org/?p=2100">closer link</a> between Korean banks and MFIs will provide both parties with mutual benefits &#8211; MFIs would have access to deposit facilities, liquidity management services and emergency credit lines while banks would expand their client base and operations through the MFI network.</p>
<p align="left">The Seoul Resolution also calls for the <a href="http://www.fsb.or.kr/">Korea Federation of Savings Banks</a> (KFSB), a nonprofit organization, to work with the WSBI to revitalize microfinance in Korea.  Seok-Won Kim, Chairman and CEO of KFSB, <a href="http://www.wsbi.org/template/press.aspx?id=2786">says</a> that his organization will &#8220;establish various microfinance systems, in collaboration with the Korean government.  These projects will <a href="http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2008/05/123_24636.html">include</a> the recovery of credit-defaulters and the enlargement of small loans for individuals of low or poor credit.  Mr. Kim also <a href="http://www.kdb.co.kr/weblogic/Board?BID=25&amp;NID=31126&amp;ACTION=VIEW">added</a> that the Korean government is in the process of launching an initiative called <a href="http://www.korea.net/news/News/newsView.asp?serial_no=20080325014&amp;part=102&amp;SearchDay=">New Start 2008 Project</a>, which will bail out credit delinquents, struggling self-employed individuals, small business owners and farmers in debt.</p>
<p align="left">The <a href="http://www.wsbi.org/">WSBI</a>, founded in <a href="http://www.wsbi.org/template/content.aspx?id=244">1994</a> in Belgium from the now-dissolved International Savings Bank Institute, is a nonprofit association composed of retail and savings banks around the world.  WSBI acts as a resource for its members in their development stage and encourages cooperation and sharing of best practices among its members.  WSBI reported in 2006 that it represents <a href="http://www.wsbi.org/uploadedFiles/WSBI/Key_figures/WSBI%203%20statistics%20vers%202.pdf">2353</a> financial intermediaries, and its member savings banks have total assets that amount to more than <a href="http://www.wsbi.org/template/content.aspx?id=242">EUR 8.1 trillion</a> (USD 9.6 trillion).</p>
<p align="left">Founded in <a href="http://www.fsb.or.kr/">1973</a>, <a href="http://www.fsb.or.kr/">KFSB</a> was established as the National Association of Credit Unions to help its members develop into sound financial institutions.  KFSB provides its members with financial and information technology support, conducts research on the improvement of savings banks and helps operate the reserves of savings banks, amongst various other financial services.  There are currently <a href="http://www.fsb.or.kr/">over 100</a> members in KFSB&#8217;s network, with combined total assets of <a href="http://www.microcapital.org/?p=2101">USD 61 billion</a>.</p>
<p align="left">Additional Resources:</p>
<p>Korea.net: <a href="http://www.korea.net/news/News/newsView.asp?serial_no=20080325014&amp;part=102&amp;SearchDay=">&#8220;Lee Unveils Revival Program for the Underprivileged&#8221;</a></p>
<p>Korea Development Bank: <a href="http://www.kdb.co.kr/weblogic/Board?BID=25&amp;NID=31126&amp;ACTION=VIEW">&#8220;Savings Banks Focus on Underprivileged&#8221;</a></p>
<p>Korea Federation of Savings Banks: <a href="http://www.fsb.or.kr/">Home</a>, <a href="http://www.fsb.or.kr/">Missions</a>, <a href="http://www.fsb.or.kr/">History</a></p>
<p align="left">The Korea Times: <a href="http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/05/123_24615.html">&#8220;Microfinance Key to Sustainable Development&#8221;</a> by Kim Jae-kyoung</p>
<p>The Korea Times: <a href="http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2008/05/123_24636.html">&#8220;Global Savings Bankers Call for Inclusive Financial System&#8221;</a></p>
<p>MicroCapital.org News Wire: <a href="http://www.microcapital.org/?p=2101">Korea: Korea Federation of Savings Banks Head Endorses Microfinance Ahead of World Savings Banks Institute Meeting</a></p>
<p>MicroCapital.org News Wire: <a href="http://www.microcapital.org/?p=2100">World Savings Bank Institute Chief Advices Korea to Boot Microfinance</a></p>
<p>World Savings Bank Institute (WSBI): <a href="http://www.wsbi.org/">Home</a>, <a href="http://www.wsbi.org/template/content.aspx?id=244">History</a>, <a href="http://www.wsbi.org/template/content.aspx?id=110">Introducing WSBI</a>, <a href="http://www.wsbi.org/uploadedFiles/WSBI/Key_figures/WSBI%203%20statistics%20vers%202.pdf">Key Statistics</a></p>
<p align="left">World Savings Bank Institute (WSBI) Press Release: <a href="http://www.wsbi.org/template/press.aspx?id=2786">&#8220;WSBI Calls for Enhanced Business Cooperation and Supporst Korean Savings Banks In Their Efforts to Develop Microfinance&#8221;</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-asian-pacific-members-of-world-savings-bank-institute-wsbi-of-belgium-and-korea-federation-of-savings-banks-kfsb-commit-to-improving-microfinance-services-in-korea-and-asia-pac/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>MICROCAPITAL STORY: Dexia Microcredit Fund of Luxembourg Lends $5.9m to Funds for Local Development Nitlapán (FDL Nitlapán), Mikrofin and Fundación para el Apoyo a la Microempresa (FAMA), Microfinance Institutions in Latin America and Eastern Europe</title>
		<link>http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-dexia-microcredit-fund-of-luxembourg-lends-59m-to-funds-for-local-development-nitlapan-fdl-nitlapan-mikrofin-and-fundacion-para-el-apoyo-a-la-microempresa-fama-microfinance/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=microcapital-story-dexia-microcredit-fund-of-luxembourg-lends-59m-to-funds-for-local-development-nitlapan-fdl-nitlapan-mikrofin-and-fundacion-para-el-apoyo-a-la-microempresa-fama-microfinance</link>
		<comments>http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-dexia-microcredit-fund-of-luxembourg-lends-59m-to-funds-for-local-development-nitlapan-fdl-nitlapan-mikrofin-and-fundacion-para-el-apoyo-a-la-microempresa-fama-microfinance/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 23 May 2008 16:57:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Emily Liu</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Eastern Europe and Central Asia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investment Funds]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Key Players]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Latin America]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.microcapital.org/?p=2077</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) reported in its recent list of transactions that Dexia Microcredit Fund, a Luxembourg investment fund, lent USD 3 million to Fund for Local Development Nitlapán (FDL Nitlapán), USD 1.6 million to Mikrofin and USD 1.3 million to Fundación para el Apoyo a la Microempresa (FAMA), microfinance institutions (MFIs) [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.cgap.org/portal/site/cgap/">CGAP</a> (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) reported in its recent <a href="http://cgap.org/mcm/files/RecentTransactions_Mar-Apr2008.html">list of transactions</a> that <a href="http://www.dexia.com/e/discover/sustainable_funds2.php">Dexia Microcredit Fund</a>, a Luxembourg investment fund, lent <a href="http://cgap.org/mcm/files/RecentTransactions_Mar-Apr2008.html">USD 3 million</a> to <a href="http://www.fdl.org.ni/">Fund for Local Development Nitlapán</a> (FDL Nitlapán), <a href="http://cgap.org/mcm/files/RecentTransactions_Mar-Apr2008.html">USD 1.6 million</a> to <a href="http://mikrofin.com/index.php?lang=2">Mikrofin</a> and <a href="http://cgap.org/mcm/files/RecentTransactions_Mar-Apr2008.html">USD 1.3 million</a> to <a href="http://www.financierafama.com.ni/">Fundación para el Apoyo a la Microempresa</a> (FAMA), microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Latin America and Eastern Europe.<span id="more-2077"></span></p>
<p align="left"><a href="http://www.dexia.com/e/discover/sustainable_funds2.php">Dexia Microcredit Fund</a> is a Luxembourg-based commercial investment fund launched in <a href="http://www.dexia.com/e/discover/sustainable_funds2.php">1998</a> to invest specifically in microfinance institutions (MFIs).  Dexia Microcredit was launched by <a href="http://www.dexia.com/e/home/home.php">Dexia Banque Internationale</a>, a retail bank formed in <a href="http://www.dexia.com/e/discover/profile.php">1996</a> by the merger of Crédit Communal de Belgique and Crédit Local de France.  The fund was created to provide investors with both a socially responsible investment opportunity and an attractive investment return.  The 2008 <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/supply/supply.show.profile.asp?ett=307">financial data</a> provided by the <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/">Microfinance Information Exchange</a> (MIX) shows that Dexia Microcredit has total assets of USD 298.5 million with USD 284.9 million being allocated towards microfinance investments.  Dexia Microcredit fund is currently active in <a href="http://www.dexia.com/e/discover/sustainable_funds2.php">19</a> nations and finances <a href="http://www.dexia.com/e/discover/sustainable_funds2.php">30</a> MFIs.</p>
<p align="left"><a href="http://www.fdl.org.ni/">FDL Nitlapán</a> is a Nicaraguan MFI that started in 1992 under <a href="http://www.nitlapan.org.ni/">Nitlapán</a>, a research and development institution founded at the Central American University in 1990.  In addition to financial services, FDL Nitlapán also offers its clients <a href="http://www.envio.org.ni/articulo/3110">advisory services</a> regarding the production and administrative aspects of microenterprises&#8217; business projects.  As of 2007, FDL Nitlapán had a loan portfolio of <a href="http://www.fdl.org.ni/datos_financieros.es">USD 53.4 million</a> and a client base of <a href="http://www.fdl.org.ni/datos_financieros.es">72,000</a>.  This organization does not report to the <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/">MIX Market</a> and no other financial information is available regarding FDL Nitlapán.</p>
<p align="left"><a href="http://mikrofin.com/index.php?lang=2">Mikrofin</a> is a for-profit, micro-credit company founded in <a href="http://mikrofin.com/index.php?pid=35&amp;lang=2">1997</a> and based in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  The company originated from <a href="http://www.worldbank.org/faces/bh/index.htm">World Bank Local Initiatives</a>, a microenterprise lending project supported by the Bosnian government and the <a href="http://worldbank.org/">World Bank</a>, a development organization providing financial and technical support to developing nations. Mikrofin was created to promote self-employment and lower unemployment in post-war Bosnia.  At the end of 2007, Mikrofin reported total assets of <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/demand/demand.show.profile.asp?ett=296">USD 151.7 million</a> and a gross loan portfolio of <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/demand/demand.show.profile.asp?ett=296">USD 143.2 million</a>.  The company&#8217;s return on assets was 4.9 percent, and its return on equity was 21.68 percent, as reported by the <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/demand/demand.show.profile.asp?ett=296">MIX</a>.  At the end of 2007, Mikrofin had 51,508 borrowers with the average loan per borrower being USD 2,780.</p>
<p align="left">Founded in 1992 and based in Nicaragua, <a href="http://www.financierafama.com.ni/">FAMA</a> was <a href="http://www.accion.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=643&amp;srcid=223">created with the support</a> of <a href="http://www.accion.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=191&amp;srcid=-2">ACCION International</a>, a nonprofit organization founded in <a href="http://www.accion.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=506&amp;srcid=253">1961</a>, which mainly operates in South America.  FAMA still remains under the <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/demand/demand.show.profile.asp?token=&amp;ett=161">ACCION network</a>.  According to the 2007 financial data provided by the <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/demand/demand.show.profile.asp?token=&amp;ett=161">MIX</a>, FAMA had total assets of USD 33.9 million and a gross loan portfolio of USD 31.4 million.  Its most recent return on assets was 3.65 percent while its return on equity was 11.01 percent.  At the end of 2007, FAMA had 42,918 active borrowers and claimed female micro-entrepreneurs to be its main clients, with 72.7 percent of borrowers being women.</p>
<p align="left">Additional Resources:</p>
<p align="left">ACCION International: <a href="http://www.accion.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=191&amp;srcid=506">Home</a>, <a href="http://www.accion.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=506&amp;srcid=253">History</a>, <a href="http://www.accion.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=643&amp;srcid=223">FAMA &#8211; Fundación para el Apoyo a la Microempresa</a></p>
<p align="left">Dexia: <a href="http://www.dexia.com/e/discover/sustainable_funds2.php">Dexia Microcredit Fund</a>, <a href="http://www.dexia.com/e/home/home.php">Home</a>, <a href="http://www.dexia.com/e/discover/profile.php">About</a></p>
<p align="left">FAMA: <a href="http://www.financierafama.com.ni/">Home</a></p>
<p align="left">FDL Nitlapán: <a href="http://www.fdl.org.ni/">Home</a>, <a href="http://www.fdl.org.ni/datos_financieros.es">Financial Data</a></p>
<p align="left">Mikrofin: <a href="http://mikrofin.com/index.php?lang=2">Home</a>, <a href="http://mikrofin.com/index.php?pid=35&amp;lang=2">About</a></p>
<p align="left">MIX Market: <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/supply/supply.show.profile.asp?ett=307">Profile for Dexia Microcredit Fund</a></p>
<p align="left">MIX Market: <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/demand/demand.show.profile.asp?token=&amp;ett=161">Profile for FAMA</a></p>
<p align="left">MIX Market: <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/demand/demand.show.profile.asp?ett=296">Profile for Mikrofin</a></p>
<p align="left">Nitlapán: <a href="http://www.nitlapan.org.ni/">Home</a></p>
<p align="left">Revista Envio (Central American University): <a href="http://www.envio.org.ni/articulo/3110">The IDB Reward the FDL for Excellence</a></p>
<p align="left">World Bank: <a href="http://www.worldbank.org/faces/bh/index.htm">World Bank Local Initatives</a>, <a href="http://worldbank.org/">Home</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-dexia-microcredit-fund-of-luxembourg-lends-59m-to-funds-for-local-development-nitlapan-fdl-nitlapan-mikrofin-and-fundacion-para-el-apoyo-a-la-microempresa-fama-microfinance/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>MICROCAPITAL STORY: Cordaid of the Netherlands Loans $559k to Latin American Microfinance Institution FINCA Honduras</title>
		<link>http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-cordaid-of-the-netherlands-loans-559k-to-latin-american-microfinance-institution-finca-honduras/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=microcapital-story-cordaid-of-the-netherlands-loans-559k-to-latin-american-microfinance-institution-finca-honduras</link>
		<comments>http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-cordaid-of-the-netherlands-loans-559k-to-latin-american-microfinance-institution-finca-honduras/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 23 May 2008 05:45:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Emily Liu</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Key Players]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Latin America]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.microcapital.org/?p=2069</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) reported in its recent list of transactions that Cordaid (Catholic Organization for Relief and Development AID), a Dutch development organization, lent USD 559,017 to FINCA Honduras, a Latin American microfinance institution (MFI) under the FINCA (Foundation for International Community Assistance) network. Founded in 1997, Cordaid is a Dutch [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.cgap.org/portal/site/cgap/">CGAP</a> (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) reported in its recent <a href="http://cgap.org/mcm/files/RecentTransactions_Mar-Apr2008.html">list of transactions</a> that <a href="http://www.cordaid.nl/English/About_Cordaid/Index.aspx?mId=10182">Cordaid</a> (Catholic Organization for Relief and Development AID), a Dutch development organization, lent <a href="http://cgap.org/mcm/files/RecentTransactions_Mar-Apr2008.html">USD 559,017</a> to <a href="http://www.villagebanking.org/site/c.erKPI2PCIoE/b.2678915/">FINCA Honduras</a>, a Latin American microfinance institution (MFI) under the <a href="http://www.villagebanking.org/site/c.erKPI2PCIoE/b.2394109/k.BEA3/Home.htm">FINCA</a> (Foundation for International Community Assistance) network.<span id="more-2069"></span></p>
<p>Founded in 1997, <a href="http://www.cordaid.nl/">Cordaid</a> is a Dutch Catholic foundation that supports <a href="http://www.cordaidpartners.com/English/All/About_Cordaid/index.aspx?mId=10536">1,000</a> development and welfare organizations in <a href="http://www.cordaidpartners.com/English/All/About_Cordaid/index.aspx?mId=10536">40</a> countries.  Cordaid also provides <a href="http://www.cordaidpartners.com/English/Emergency_Aid_and_Reconstruction/Home/index.aspx?mId=10500">emergency aid</a>, <a href="http://www.cordaidpartners.com/English/Health_and_Well-being/Home/index.aspx?mId=10559">health care</a> and poverty alleviation through <a href="http://www.cordaidpartners.com/English/Participation/Home/index.aspx?mId=10490">participation</a> and <a href="http://www.cordaidpartners.com/English/Entrepreneurship/Home/index.aspx?mId=10566">entrepreneurship</a> programs for isolated and disadvantaged members of society.  Its microfinance unit was started in <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/supply/supply.show.profile.asp?ett=303">2000</a> when Cordaid realized the need for more specialized financial services in serving disadvantaged individuals.</p>
<p align="left">The most recent <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/supply/supply.show.profile.asp?ett=303">financial data</a> provided by the <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/">Microfinance Information Exchange</a> (MIX) shows at the end of 2004, Cordaid had total assets of USD 63.5 million with USD 35.4 million allocated to microfinance investments.  As of 2004, the microfinance arm of Cordaid held <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/supply/supply.show.profile.asp?ett=303">90</a> active investments, with <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/supply/supply.show.profile.asp?ett=303">25 percent</a> of investments in Latin America and the Caribbean and <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/supply/supply.show.profile.asp?ett=303">23 percent</a> of investments in South Asia.</p>
<p align="left"><a href="http://www.villagebanking.org/site/c.erKPI2PCIoE/b.2678915/">FINCA Honduras</a>, founded in 1989, is a chapter of <a href="http://www.villagebanking.org/site/c.erKPI2PCIoE/b.2394109/k.BEA3/Home.htm">FINCA</a>, a network of associations that provides financial services to low-income entrepreneurs.  FINCA was founded in <a href="http://www.villagebanking.org/site/c.erKPI2PCIoE/b.2623051/k.4A73/John_Hatch_and_FINCA.htm">1984</a> under the <a href="http://www.villagebanking.org/site/c.erKPI2PCIoE/b.2604299/k.FFD9/What_is_Microfinance_What_is_Village_Banking.htm">village banking</a> method, which encourages poor individuals to form financial support groups and allows them access to working capital using the group as collateral for the loans.  FINCA Honduras provides village banking services as well as individual loans to micro-entrepreneurs. </p>
<p align="left">According to 2007 <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/demand/demand.show.profile.asp?ett=1923">financial data</a> provided by the <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/">MIX</a>, FINCA Honduras had total assets of USD 7.7 million and a gross loan portfolio of USD 6.6 million.  At the end of 2007, the microfinance institution had 22,194 active borrowers and claimed female micro-entrepreneurs to be its main clients, with 81.3 percent of borrowers being women.  FINCA Honduras also reported a return on assets of 3.86 percent and a return on equity of 11.58 percent in 2007.</p>
<p align="left">Additional Resources:</p>
<p align="left">CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor): <a href="http://www.cgap.org/portal/site/cgap/">Home</a>, <a href="http://cgap.org/mcm/files/RecentTransactions_Mar-Apr2008.html">List of Recent Transactions &#8211; April 2008</a></p>
<p align="left">Cordaid: <a href="http://www.cordaid.nl/">Home</a>, <a href="http://www.cordaidpartners.com/English/All/About_Cordaid/index.aspx?mId=10536">About</a>,  <a href="http://www.cordaidpartners.com/English/Emergency_Aid_and_Reconstruction/Home/index.aspx?mId=10500">Emergency Aid and Reconstruction</a>, <a href="http://www.cordaidpartners.com/English/Entrepreneurship/Home/index.aspx?mId=10566">Entrepreneurship</a>, <a href="http://www.cordaidpartners.com/English/Health_and_Well-being/Home/index.aspx?mId=10559">Health and Well-Being</a>, <a href="http://www.cordaidpartners.com/English/Participation/Home/index.aspx?mId=10490">Participation</a></p>
<p align="left">FINCA: <a href="http://www.villagebanking.org/">Home</a>, <a href="http://www.villagebanking.org/site/c.erKPI2PCIoE/b.2589455/k.7485/ABOUT_FINCA.htm">About</a>, <a href="http://www.villagebanking.org/site/c.erKPI2PCIoE/b.2623051/k.4A73/John_Hatch_and_FINCA.htm">History</a>, <a href="http://www.villagebanking.org/site/c.erKPI2PCIoE/b.2604299/k.FFD9/What_is_Microfinance_What_is_Village_Banking.htm">Microfinance and Village Banking</a>, <a href="http://www.villagebanking.org/site/c.erKPI2PCIoE/b.2678915/">FINCA Honduras</a></p>
<p align="left">MIX Market: <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/demand/demand.show.profile.asp?ett=1923">Profile for FINCA Honduras</a></p>
<p align="left">MIX Market: <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/partners/partners.show.profile.asp?ett=336">Profile for FINCA</a></p>
<p align="left">MIX Market: <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/supply/supply.show.profile.asp?ett=303">Profile for Cordaid</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-cordaid-of-the-netherlands-loans-559k-to-latin-american-microfinance-institution-finca-honduras/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>MICROCAPITAL STORY: Dexia Microcredit Fund of Luxembourg Lends $2m to Asian Microfinance Institutions Bai Tushum Financial Foundation (BTFF), Finance for Development LLC (FinDev) and Angkor Microfinance Kampuchea (AMK)</title>
		<link>http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-dexia-microcredit-fund-of-luxembourg-lends-2m-to-asian-microfinance-institutions-bai-tushum-financial-foundation-btff-finance-for-development-llc-findev-and-angkor-microfinan/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=microcapital-story-dexia-microcredit-fund-of-luxembourg-lends-2m-to-asian-microfinance-institutions-bai-tushum-financial-foundation-btff-finance-for-development-llc-findev-and-angkor-microfinan</link>
		<comments>http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-dexia-microcredit-fund-of-luxembourg-lends-2m-to-asian-microfinance-institutions-bai-tushum-financial-foundation-btff-finance-for-development-llc-findev-and-angkor-microfinan/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 23 May 2008 05:40:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Emily Liu</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Asia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eastern Europe and Central Asia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investment Funds]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Key Players]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.microcapital.org/?p=2068</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) reported in its recent list of transactions that Dexia Microcredit Fund, a Luxembourg investment fund, lent USD 1 million to Bai Tushum Financial Foundation (BTFF), USD 500,000 to Finance for Development LLC (FinDev) and USD 500,000 to Angkor Microfinance Kampuchea (AMK), all of which are Asian microfinance institutions [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.cgap.org/portal/site/cgap/">CGAP</a> (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) reported in its recent <a href="http://cgap.org/mcm/files/RecentTransactions_Mar-Apr2008.html">list of transactions</a> that <a href="http://www.dexia.com/e/discover/sustainable_funds2.php">Dexia Microcredit Fund</a>, a Luxembourg investment fund, lent <a href="http://cgap.org/mcm/files/RecentTransactions_Mar-Apr2008.html">USD 1 million</a> to <a href="http://www.baitushum.kg/en/">Bai Tushum Financial Foundation</a> (BTFF), <a href="http://cgap.org/mcm/files/RecentTransactions_Mar-Apr2008.html">USD 500,000</a> to <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/demand/demand.show.profile.asp?ett=1338">Finance for Development LLC</a> (FinDev) and <a href="http://cgap.org/mcm/files/RecentTransactions_Mar-Apr2008.html">USD 500,000</a> to <a href="http://www.amkcambodia.com/default.aspx">Angkor Microfinance Kampuchea</a> (AMK), all of which are Asian microfinance institutions (MFIs).<span id="more-2068"></span></p>
<p align="left"><a href="http://www.dexia.com/e/discover/sustainable_funds2.php">Dexia Microcredit Fund</a> is a Luxembourg-based commercial investment fund launched in <a href="http://www.dexia.com/e/discover/sustainable_funds2.php">1998</a> to refinance MFIs.  Dexia Microcredit was launched by <a href="http://www.dexia.com/e/home/home.php">Dexia Banque Internationale</a>, a retail bank formed in <a href="http://www.dexia.com/e/discover/profile.php">1996</a> by the merger of Crédit Communal de Belgique and Crédit Local de France.  The fund was created as a socially responsible investment opportunity for investors while providing them with an attractive investment return.  The 2008 <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/supply/supply.show.profile.asp?ett=307">financial data</a> provided by the <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/">Microfinance Information Exchange</a> (MIX) shows that Dexia Microcredit has total assets of USD 298.5 million with USD 284.9 million allocated towards microfinance investments.  Dexia Microcredit fund is currently active in <a href="http://www.dexia.com/e/discover/sustainable_funds2.php">19</a> nations and finances <a href="http://www.dexia.com/e/discover/sustainable_funds2.php">30</a> MFIs.</p>
<p align="left">Founded in <a href="http://www.baitushum.kg/en/about/history">2000</a>, <a href="http://www.baitushum.kg/en/">BTFF</a> is an MFI based in Kyrgyzstan and created by <a href="http://www.acdivoca.org/852571DC00681414/ID/OurStory">ACDI/VOCA</a>, an economic development organization specializing in <a href="http://www.acdivoca.org/852571DC00681414/ID/OurStory">agriculture</a> business systems, and <a href="http://web.caritas.ch/page2.php">Swiss CARITAS</a>, a Catholic relief and development organization.  BTFF was formed to allow micro, small and medium enterprises access to financial services and products after Kyrgyzstan&#8217;s independence.  The most recent <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/demand/demand.show.profile.asp?ett=859">financial data</a> provided by the <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/">MIX</a> shows BTFF had total assets of USD 34.7 million at the end of 2007.  The MFI&#8217;s return on assets was 5.68 percent, and its return on equity was 23.31 percent.  BTFF had 10,695 active borrowers at the end of 2007.</p>
<p align="left"><a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/demand/demand.show.profile.asp?ett=1338">FinDev</a>, an Azerbaijani MFI, was founded in <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/demand/demand.show.profile.asp?ett=1338">1997</a> by <a href="http://www.oxfam.org.uk/">Oxfam GB</a>, the United Kingdom subsidiary of <a href="http://www.oxfam.org/">Oxfam International</a>, a confederation of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) founded in <a href="http://www.oxfam.org/en/about/who/">1995</a> with the purpose of reducing poverty.  FinDev was started after a <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/demand/demand.show.profile.asp?ett=1338">survey</a> conducted by Oxfam GB revealed a lack of financial resources for individuals disadvantaged by war and economic decline.  According to the 2007 <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/demand/demand.show.profile.asp?ett=1338">financial data</a> provided by the <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/">MIX</a>, FinDev had total assets of USD 4.2 million and a gross loan portfolio of USD 4.0 million.  Its return on assets was 15.68 percent, and its return on equity was 45.24 percent.  At the end of 2007, FinDev had 4,725 active borrowers.</p>
<p align="left"><a href="http://www.amkcambodia.com/default.aspx">AMK</a> is a Cambodian MFI that originated from the savings and credit development work done by <a href="http://www.concern.net/">Concern Worldwide</a>, an NGO dedicated to humanitarian efforts and <a href="http://www.concern.net/about-concern/index.php">poverty alleviation</a>.  The savings and credit program from which AMK is created was founded in <a href="http://www.amkcambodia.com/abtHistory.aspx?Idtopnav=1&amp;idleftnav=1">1999</a>, but AMK did not become an independent organization until <a href="http://www.amkcambodia.com/abtHistory.aspx?Idtopnav=1&amp;idleftnav=1">2003</a>.  The most recent <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/demand/demand.show.profile.asp?ett=1331">financial data</a> from the <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/">MIX</a> shows AMK had total assets USD 12.3 million at the end of 2007, with a gross loan portfolio of USD 10.3 million.  The MFI had a return on equity of 24.71 percent and a return on assets of 8.64 percent.  As of 2007, AMK had 120,111 active borrowers, with 84.5 percent of these borrowers being women.</p>
<p align="left">Additional Resources:</p>
<p align="left">ACDI/VOCA: <a href="http://www.acdivoca.org/852571DC00681414/ID/OurStory">Home</a>, <a href="http://www.acdivoca.org/852571DC00681414/ID/OurStory">About</a></p>
<p align="left">Angkor Microfinance Kampuchea: <a href="http://www.amkcambodia.com/default.aspx">Home</a>, <a href="http://www.amkcambodia.com/abtHistory.aspx?Idtopnav=1&amp;idleftnav=1">History</a></p>
<p align="left">Bai Tushum: <a href="http://www.baitushum.kg/en/">Home</a>, <a href="http://www.baitushum.kg/en/about/history">History</a></p>
<p align="left">Concern Worldwide: <a href="http://www.concern.net/">Home</a>, <a href="http://www.concern.net/about-concern/index.php">About</a></p>
<p align="left">Dexia: <a href="http://www.dexia.com/e/discover/sustainable_funds2.php">Dexia Microcredit Fund</a>, <a href="http://www.dexia.com/e/home/home.php">Home</a>, <a href="http://www.dexia.com/e/discover/profile.php">About</a></p>
<p align="left">MIX Market: <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/supply/supply.show.profile.asp?ett=307">Profile for Dexia Microcredit Fund</a></p>
<p align="left">MIX Market: <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/demand/demand.show.profile.asp?ett=1338">Profile for FinDev</a></p>
<p align="left">MIX Market: <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/demand/demand.show.profile.asp?ett=1331">Profile for AMK</a></p>
<p align="left">MIX Market: <a href="http://www.mixmarket.org/en/demand/demand.show.profile.asp?ett=859">Profile for BTFF</a></p>
<p align="left">Oxfam International: <a href="http://www.oxfam.org/">Home</a>, <a href="http://www.oxfam.org.uk/">Oxfam GB</a>, <a href="http://www.oxfam.org/en/about/who/">About</a></p>
<p align="left">Swiss Caritas: <a href="http://web.caritas.ch/page2.php">Home</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-dexia-microcredit-fund-of-luxembourg-lends-2m-to-asian-microfinance-institutions-bai-tushum-financial-foundation-btff-finance-for-development-llc-findev-and-angkor-microfinan/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>

