At a recent conference on ‘Investments In Microfinance’ which was held in London and organized by Hanson Wade, a panel discussion was dedicated to the issue of client protection. The panel was led by Ms. Elisabeth Rhyne, Managing Director at the ACCION Centre for Financial Inclusion and Mr. Kenan Crnkic, General Director of Prizma Mikro, an MFI headquartered in Sarajevo. According to its profile on the MIX Market portal, a database which collects financial and other information about MFIs across the globe, Prizma is a non-bank financial institution and was established in 1997. Its total assets as at 31 December 2008 is USD 52,445,597 and it has a Debt To Equity ratio of 297.89 percent. Its Return On Equity is 8.17 percent and its Return On Assets is 2.28 percent. Prizma has 55,820 active borrowers as at 31 December 2008. Continue Reading »

Event Name: Microfinance for Institutional Investors Conference

Date: September 21-23, 2009

Location: Tyson’s Corner Marriott, Vienna, VA (Washington, DC metro area)

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The recent conference on ‘Investments In Microfinance’ which was held in London was attended by a variety of participants in the microfinance sector, including MFIs, investors, bankers, lawyers and researchers. Panelists and speakers at the event discussed topical issues affecting the microfinance sector which included the following: (i) Hedging foreign currency risk in microfinance transactions; (ii) The problem of over-indebtedness; (iii) Client protection issues and (iv) Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Finance. As shown in the conference agenda, panelists and speakers also discussed the future of microfinance and the impact of the current crisis on sources of funding for the microfinance industry. The conference concluded with a discussion on microfinance securitization and the key legal issues in such transactions. Below is a short summary of some of the points raised at the conference. Continue Reading »

Event Name: 2009 SEEP Annual Network Conference

Date: November 2-6, 2009

Location: Sheraton National Hotel, Arlington, VA (Washington, DC metro area)

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Event Name: Rural Microfinance: Strategies for Reaching the Underserved

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Cost: Participants pay 2,000 Mexican pesos + VAT. This event is free for donor agency representatives, however they must still register.

Summary of Event: This conference will bring together Mexican credit union practitioners and donor agencies from around the worldwide to discuss the role of microfinance in fighting rural poverty. It will also showcase the outreach efforts of rural credit unions and how adaptable these are to other regions.   Continue Reading »

Event Name: Encuentro Centroamericano de Microfinanzas

Date: September 9 -11, 2009

Location: Real InterContinental Hotel, San Salvador, El Salvador

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Mobile Money Transfer, Conference and Expo, October 26-27 2009, Dubai

October 26-27 2009, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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Investments in Microfinance: Surviving the Liquidity Crisis & Ensuring Sustainable Growth Conference

7-9 July 2009, Grange City Hotel, London, UK

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The Fifth Annual Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) will be held September 22-25, 2009 in New York City. GGI is introducing four new Action Areas this year, including the Financing a Sustainable Future program. Under this Action Area, participants will discuss and make “Commitments to Action” on impact investing in micro, small and medium enterprises, housing in developing countries, climate adaptations, and microinsurance. Continue Reading »

Mobile Banking & Financial Services Africa
July 20-22, 2009, Johannesburg, South Africa

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MICROLOANS TO THIEVES AND OTHER REVOLUTIONARY ACTS THAT DEMAND CHAMPIONING, 8 JULY 2009

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Cost: Purchase prior to the event (online) for $20, non-profit or student $10 (includes dinner and drinks). At the door admission $10 more.

Summary of Event: This talk will include information on the practices of Kenyan microfinance institution (MFI) Jamii Bora which makes microloans, including loans to beggars, thieves, and prostitutes, and has built a new town that allows slum dwellers to move into new homes. Continue Reading »

Event Name: The Potential and Limitations of Index-based Weather Insurance: Mali and Peru

Event Description: This session will discuss the potential and limitations of index-based weather insurance in Mali and Peru.

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Cost: Free. Seating is limited so reserve a seat or participate remotely via webinar or phone.

Summary of Event:  The case of Peru will be examined as index-based weather insurance has been introduced here. Pre-feasibility work in Mali will also be presented in order to understand whether index-based weather insurance has potential here.   Continue Reading »

MOBILE MONEY SUMMIT 2009

22-25 JUNE 2009, Fira Montjuï, BARCELONA, SPAIN

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Socially Responsible Investing – Here and Abroad
June 26, 2009 Monterey, California

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Event Name: Achieving Scale and Sustainability in Enterprise Development Initiatives

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Summary of Event: This online conference will discuss the sustainability of enterprise development programs around the world. A key component is the review of case studies. Continue Reading »

Event Name: World Credit Union Conference, Barcelona 09

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Cost: Members USD 1,195; Non Members USD 1,395. A 7% VAT tax will be added at the time of registration. A discount of USD 100 is available for Developing Movement Countries, Under 35 Scholarships and Regulators.  The conference fee includes the opening ceremony, welcome reception, general sessions, breakout session, closing night, 5 lunches and 1 dinner.

Summary of Event: This is an annual conference where key players throughout the global credit union community gather to network and discuss best practices. Session topics will cover almost every aspect of credit union operations and culture.   Continue Reading »

Fundamentals and Methodologies of Microfinance Training, September 14-16, 2009, at Tacloban City, Philippines, presented by the Social Enterprise Development Partnerships, Inc. (SEDPI) and sponsored by the Social Enterprise Development Partnerships, Inc. (SEDPI) and Ateneo de Manila University.

 September 14-16, 2009, at Tacloban City, Philippines.

 See Our Comprehensive Event Calendar Here: http://microfinanceassociation.ning.com/events

Costs: Foreign nationals: USD 200 dollars; Filipinos: PhP 3,500 (Approximately USD 75 dollars) Continue Reading »