MICROCAPITAL EVENT: The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) and Women’s World Banking (WWB) to Hold Seminar on Microfinance in Buenos Aires

MICROFINANCE: TOWARDS THE INCLUSION OF ALL

APRIL 22, 2008 HOTEL PANAMERICANO, BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA

The Inter-American Development Bank’s Multilateral Investment Fund and Women’s World Banking (WWB), a global network of microfinance institutions, will hold a seminar on commercial banks’ entry into microfinance titled “Microfinance: Towards the Inclusion of All,” on April 22 at the Hotel Panamericano in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The seminar will be held in collaboration with the Latin American Federation of Banks, a non-profit institution of 600 financial institutions from 19 countries for the economic development and integration of Latin American countries.

The purpose of the seminar is to build a better understanding of financial services for low-income entrepreneurs and explore strategies for commercial banks serving this market. The workshop aims present microfinance as a profitable business opportunity for commercial banks in Argentina. More than 80 leaders from leading Argentine financial institutions and microfinance institutions from across Latin America, including senior regulators and policy makers will discuss the implementation of successful business models for microfinance.

Topics will include:

The trend of commercial banks entering the microfinance sector in Latin America
The range of business models and strategies to target the lower-income segment
Key success indicators to provide profitable credit and savings services to micro-entrepreneurs
Regulatory framework needed to promote the development of the microfinance industry in Argentina

Luis Alberto Moreno, President of the IDB and Her Royal Highness Princess Maxima of the Netherlands, representing the United Nations Advisor Group on Inclusive Financial Sectors will open the event.

Established in 1976 and based in New York, Women’s World Banking (WWB) is a world-wide network of 54 banks and microfinance institutions in 30 countries providing financial services to poor entrepreneurs. WWB currently serves 9 million clients directly, and 14 million additional clients through bank partners.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) was established in 1959 as a development institution. It is currently the oldest and largest regional bank in the world and is the main source of financing for economic, social, and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) branch of the IDB promotes inclusive private sector growth through grants and investments.

Registration fees are USD 100 for non NGO members and USD 50 for NGO members. For online registration, click here.

Send inquiries to: microfinance_argentina@swwb.org

By Melissa Duscha

Additional Resources:

Fiber2Fashion News: IDB Fund, WWB to Hold Seminar on Microfinance in Buenos Aires

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)

Latin American Federation of Banks

United Nations Advisor Group on Inclusive Financial Sectors

Women’s World Banking (WWB)

Women’s World Banking: WWB to Co-Host Seminar in Argentina for Banks Entering the Microfinance Market