MICROCAPITAL STORY: International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Blue Financial Services Group to Integrate HIV/AIDS Prevention with Microfinance

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, announced plans to work with Blue Financial Services Group, a publicly traded African financial services company with over 100 branches in seven countries, on a pilot HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention program in Botswana, South Africa, and Zambia. A statement released by the IFC explained that the program will target small companies and local communities, seeking to preserve jobs and businesses by integrating traditional financial services with HIV/AIDS prevention. According to the press release, the IFC will help develop financial products, while Blue Financial Services will use its broad branch network in the three countries to deliver information and prevention services to staff, clients and communities.

The IFC, established in 1956, is now made up of 179 member countries which provide its capital, determine its policies, and approve its investments. In 2006, the IFC received a rating of Aaa, which suggests the highest quality investment grade, with minimal credit risk, from Moody’s Investor Services, a private company that performs financial research on commercial and government institutions. That year, according to Moody’s, the IFC’s assets totaled USD 28.49 billion, its return on assets (ROA) was 4.33 percent, and its return on equity (ROE) was 11.23 percent. As of February 2007, Blue Financial Services Group reported USD 573 million in total assets and USD 140 million in total liabilities.

By Elizabeth Nelson, Research Assistant

Additional Resources:

International Finance Corporation (IFC) Press Release: “IFC and Blue Financial Services Help Small Businesses and Local Communities in Botswana, South Africa, and Zambia Fight HIV/AIDS”

Microfinance Gateway: “African Consumer Finance Firm To Combine Access to Finance With HIV/AIDS Prevention”

International Finance Corporation (IFC) General Inquiries
IFC Corporate Relations
Tel: 202.473.3800

Blue Financial Services Group

World Bank Group

Moody’s Investor Services Contact Info

Moody’s Investors Services: “Credit Opinion, International Finance Corporation” (pg 1)

Blue Financial Services: “Annual Financial Statements” (pg 86- ‘Balance Sheet’)

will use its broad branch network in the three countries to deliver information and prevention services to staff, clients, and communities.