Macro to Micro: Performance of Investment in Microfinance in the Current Financial Crisis moderated by Andrea M Esposito, Managing Director (Standard and Poor’s NY) and sponsored by the Financial Women’s Associate of New York (FWA), Microfinance Club of New York.

May 7, 2009, at the McGraw-Hill Companies, Rockefeller Center, New York.

Online Registration:  Reservations/Cancellations (with Photo I.D.) and payments are required by Tuesday, May 5th.  Online Registrants please click here or here.

About the event:  The on-going financial market crisis is hitting microfinance institutions and their investors.  However, various country and/or market characteristics combined with individual institution policies are resulting in differing consequences.  Experts that manage these operations will discuss their insights on what are driving these differences and how they are dealing with the challenges. 

Also, hear how investors (public and private) are assessing the same challenges in their investment decisions.  This will be a great evening with a lively and broad ranging panel examining the story of how a sector whose chief purpose is to supply small loans to those without collateral or access to traditional financial services is at once maturing and reshaping itself during this time of turmoil.

Who is invited: Everyone

Featured Guest Speakers: Roland Dominicé (Executive Director, Symbiotics), Ann Miles (Managing Director, BlueOrchard Finance, S.A.), Camilla Nestor (Director, Grameen Foundation), Susanna K. Tisa (Managing Director, FINCA International), and Mitchell Strauss (Special Advisor SME Finance & Director of Credit Policy, Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC)),

Main Topics of Discussion include: 

• MFIs in the trenches, and specific regional differences: various country and/or market characteristics combined with individual institution policies are resulting in differing consequences. 
• Investors as they react to the sector’s challenges.

Important Dates: Thursday, May 7, 2009, 5:30 – 6:30 pm, Registration & Networking; 6:30 – 8:00 pm Panel Discussion & Q&A

Location: The McGraw-Hill Companies, 1221 Avenue of the Americas (Between 48th and 49th Streets) Rockefeller Center, NYC

Costs: $20 FWA Members, $25 Non-Members

For additional information, please contact: 

About the sponsors:

The Financial Women’s Association: Established in 1956 The Financial Women’s Association brings together high achieving professionals from every sector of the financial world. We are dedicated to developing future leaders, enhancing the role of women in finance, and investing in the community.  Activities include: Examining today’s critical issues, recognizing the achievements of women leaders, honoring the Women of the Year, presenting distinguished speakers, supporting professional and personal growth, and achieving national and international influence through forums that enable members to gain needed insights into the turning points and trends that shape our global economy.

Microfinance Club of New York: The Microfinance Club of New York (MFCNY) was founded in 2003 with the goal of becoming a leading forum for the free exchange of information and ideas about microfinance, and to disseminate readily understandable, transparent and succinct information about microfinance. The MFCNY now has over 100 members. Most members are professionals with a background in financial services or microfinance; however, membership is open to anyone who supports the club’s mission. The club has around 10 events per year on different topics currently relevant in microfinance. Events range from panel discussions to informal round table discussions.

About the Moderator: Andrea M. Esposito (Managing Director, Standard & Poor’s, New York), is responsible for business development, and management of the America’s Microfinance projects and coordination of Global Microfinance initiatives.