MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: responsAbility Social Investments Announces Equity Investment in PlaNet Finance Investment Services (PlaNIS)

responsAbility Social Investments AG, an investment company based in Switzerland, has recently invested an undisclosed amount in PlaNet Finance Investment Services (PlaNIS), a subsidiary of Paris-based nongovernmental organization(NGO) PlaNet Finance. PlaNIS is a limited liability company that advises social investment funds in the areas of sourcing, due diligence and risk assessment of microfinance investments. The subsidiary will now operate under the name PlaNIS responsAbility SAS.

PlaNet Finance and responsAbility have been associated since 2005 when they started collaborating on investment advisory services for microfinance. The current partnership aims to reduce investment transaction costs by utilizing responsAbility’s local presence in developing markets such as Peru, Kenya and India. Through the partnership, responsAbility will also look to tap into the investor and investee network of PlaNet Finance. According to calculations based on data from the Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) from 2009 and 2010, responsAbility manages approximately USD 800 million in total assets.

According to 2009 data from MIX, PlaNIS reported a team of 13 investment professionals monitoring investments from 7 funds distributed across approximately 75 microfinance institutions (MFIs) in 30 countries in Asia, Latin America and Western Africa and representing a total loan portfolio of approximately USD 165 million.

By Medha Ravi, Research Associate

About responsAbility Social Investments AG:
Founded in 2003, responsAbility Social Investments AG of Switzerland is an investment company that aims to enable investors to earn a financial return while allowing people in developing countries and emerging markets to access markets, information and other services in sectors such as microfinance, small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) financing, fair trade and independent media. According to calculations based on data from the Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) from 2009 and 2010, responsAbility manages approximately USD 800 million in total assets. responsAbility is backed by Swiss financial institutions and a social venture capital company as founders and shareholders including Baumann & Cie, Banquiers, Credit Suisse, Raiffeisen Schweiz, Swiss Re, Bank Vontobel AG as well as George Avenue.

About PlaNet Finance:
Founded in 1998 in Paris, France, PlaNet Finance is a nongovernmental organization (NGO) with the mission of alleviating poverty through microfinance development. PlaNet Finance is currently active in approximately 80 countries and is comprised of eight independent units: PlaNet Finance Advisory Services, which provides technical and advisory services; Planet Rating, a microfinance rating agency; PlaNIS responsAbility SAS, which specializes in advisory services and structuring and managing microfinance funds; MicroCred, an investor in microfinance; PlaNet Guarantee, which specializes in microinsurance; FinanCites, a social venture capital company; MicroFit, a microfinance software unit; and PlaNet University, a microfinance training provider.

About PlaNIS responsAbility SAS:
Established in 2010, PlaNIS responsAbility SAS is a subsidiary of PlaNet Finance and is based in Paris. It is the investment advisory business unit of PlaNet Finance that serves social investment funds that invest in microfinance. Its services include advising funds on sourcing, conducting due diligence and risk assessment on microfinance institutions (MFIs). According to the Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX), the microfinance information clearinghouse, as of 2009, PlaNIS reported a team of 13 investment professionals monitoring investments from 7 funds distributed across approximately 75 MFIs in 30 countries in Asia, Latin America and Western Africa and representing a total loan portfolio of approximately USD 165 million.

Source and Resources:
[1] responsAbility Social Investments AG press release, February 3 2011, “responsAbility Announces Strategic Investment in PlaNet Finance Group’s Subsidiary PlaNIS, http://www1.emarsys.net/custloads/115742480/md_108879.pdf

MicroCapital.org story, January 10, 2011, “MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: responsAbility Social Investments of Switzerland Makes Loans Totaling $13m to Banco Continental of Paraguay, Financiera Confianza of Peru”, https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-responsability-social-investments-of-switzerland-makes-loans-totaling-13m-to-banco-continental-of-paraguay-financiera-confianza-of-peru

MicroCapital’s Microfinance Universe Profile: responsAbility Social Investments AG
https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=responsAbility#Description_140_word_limit_

MicroCapital’s Microfinance Universe Profile: PlaNet Finance, https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=PlaNet+Finance#Description_140_word_limit_

MicroCapital’s Microfinance Universe Profile: PlaNIS responsAbility SAS, https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=PlaNIS+responsAbility+SAS

Browse the MicroCapital Universe and add your entry to the wiki at: https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/

Similar Posts: