Global Partnerships, a US-based microfinance investment firm, held a forum on June 8 in Bellevue, Washington, that covered the organization’s efforts to reduce poverty in Latin America while offering investors a fixed rate of return. Among the topics covered were the philanthropic “layer” of the funding structure that reduces risk for investors. Global partnerships reports a 100 percent repayment rate from its investee microfinance institutions (MFIs).

Global Partnerships also reports that since 2005 it has grown its portfolio from USD 2.5 million to USD 39 million and the number of MFIs in which it invests from 4 to 27. The number of borrowers reached by its partner MFIs have increased from 150,000 to 817,000 over that time.

Sources and resources:

Unpublished press release provided to MicroCapital by Global Partnerships

“Meet the Boss” Interview with Rick Beckett, CEO of Global Partnerships: http://www.microcapital.org/meet-the-boss-rick-beckett-ceo-of-microfinance-fund-manager-global-partnerships-which-will-host-a-social-investor-forum-on-june-8-2010-in-seattle-washington-usa/

MicroCapital Universe profile on Global Partnerships: http://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Global+Partnerships

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