MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Microfinance Investor BlueOrchard Releases 2011 Social Performance Data

BlueOrchard, a commercial microfinance investment company based in Switzerland, has released its annual social performance report for 2011, which presents the social impact of its investments in approximately 75 microfinance institutions (MFIs). Based on the Social Performance, Impact Reporting & Intelligence Tool (SPIRIT), the report covers five dimensions of social performance: (1) intent and outreach, (2) client protection, (3) human resources, (4) corporate social responsibility and governance and (5) the measurement of social performance and impact.

The report indicates that: 96 percent of investee MFIs have fair collection policies, 82 percent implement a rigorous system to determine a client’s level of indebtedness and 82 percent strive to promote diversity among loan officers. Additionally, interviews with representatives of organizations such as US-based nonprofit MFTransparency, Bolivian-based Banco Fie and BlueOrchard cover topics such as enhancing responsible practices and pricing transparency. According to the report, BlueOrchard has invested USD 1 billion in 60 low- and middle-income countries

BlueOrchard’s Social Performance Report 2011 may be found at http://www.blueorchard.com/jahia/webdav/site/blueorchard/shared/Publicat

By Cameron Milani, Research Associate

About BlueOrchard: BlueOrchard is a Switzerland-based, commercial microfinance intermediary that provides loans to microfinance institutions through its subsidiary BlueOrchard Finance S.A. and invests in the equity of microfinance institutions and microfinance network funds through its subsidiary BlueOrchard Investments S.A. BlueOrchard had approximately USD 1.1 billion under management as of April 2011.

Sources and Additional Resources:

BlueOrchard, “BlueOrchard Press Release & News,” http://www.blueorchard.com/jahia/Jahia/cache/bypass/newsArchive_1?displa

MicroCapital Article, July 5, 2011: “MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: BlueOrchard Loan $1.1m in Local Currency to Cameroonian Microfinance Institution (MFI) Advans Cameroun” https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-blueorchard-loans-1-1m-in

MicroCapital Article, September 8, 2009: “MICROCAPITAL.ORG STORY: BlueOrchard Private Equity Fund Invests Rs 500 million ($10.2 million) in Asmitha Microfin” https://www.microcapital.org/approved-adjustment-microcapitalorg-story-bl

MicroCaptial Universe: BlueOrchard https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Blu

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