by Stefanie Rubin -

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Indian Government Plans to Reintroduce Microfinance Bill Which Will Designate National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) as New Regulatory Body, Allow Microfinance Institutions (MFI) to Accept Deposits

The Indian government is planning to reintroduce a microfinance bill to Parliament that would significantly impact the regulation of the rapidly growing microfinance industry, which has reportedly been growing at almost 52 percent per year for the last three years in terms of client outreach.

by Zoran Stanisljevic -

MICROCAPITAL PAPER WRAP-UP: Successful Due Diligence When Evaluating Microfinance Investment Vehicles (MIVs) by Zoran Stanisljevic

By Zoran Stanisljevic, based on his interview with Christina Leijonhufvud, Managing Director of the Global Social Sector Finance Group at JP Morgan, published by MicroCapital.org, December 2009, 5 pages, available at https://www.microcapital.org/downloads/whitepapers/Diligence.pdf

by Eric McKay -

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Australia Supports Microfinance with $1.8m Pledge to the Pacific Financial Inclusion Program (PFIP)

The Australian government has agreed to provide AUD 2 million (the equivalent of USD 1.8 million) over the next three years to the Pacific Financial Inclusion Program (PFIP), a program established with the intent of increasing access to financial services among low-income households in the Pacific Islands.

by Zoran Stanisljevic -

MEET THE BOSS: Discussions on Developing a Global Credit Ratings Framework for Microfinance Institutions: Interview with Damian von Stauffenberg, Founder and Chairman of MicroRate

Damian von Stauffenberg is the founder of MicroRate, a rating agency specializing in microfinance.  Mr. von Stauffenberg founded MicroRate in 1997 and served as its CEO until 2009.  Through its Latin American and African subsidiaries, MicroRate has conducted over 400 ratings of microfinance institutions in Latin America, Africa and Eastern Europe. 

Mr. von Stauffenberg previously worked for 25 years at the World Bank and its private sector affiliate, the International Finance Corporation (IFC).  He has been president of Seed Capital Development Fund (SCDF), chairman of the investment committee of ProFund, chairman of the executive committee of MicroVest and a member of the executive committee of the Latin American Challenge Investment Fund (LA-CIF).

by Jay Kumar -

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: MIX Releases MicroBanking Bulletin No. 19, Providing Insight Into the Impact of the Global Economic and Financial Slowdown on the Microfinance Industry

The Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX), a business information and data services provider for the global microfinance industry, recently released the latest issue of The Microbanking Bulletin, an industry journal of microfinance performance.

by Stefanie Rubin -

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs) Gain Popularity as New Source of Fundraising for Indian Microfinance Institutions (MFIs)

A recent article published by the Microfinance Focus website commented on the growing tendency of Indian microfinance institutions (MFIs) to raise funds via non-convertible debentures (NCDs).

by Stefanie Rubin -

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Awards $38m in Grants to Help Microfinance Institutions Expand Savings Initiatives for Poor

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded six grants worth a total of USD 38 million to help 18 microfinance institutions (MFIs) expand or launch savings initiatives.

by the MicroCapital Team -

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Fazle Hasan Abed, Founder and Chairperson of Microfinance Institution BRAC to be Knighted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

In recognition of his many years of work to assist poor people, Fazle Hasan Abed, the Founder and Chairperson of international microfinance institution BRAC (Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee), is to be knighted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on an undisclosed date.

by the MicroCapital Team -

MEET THE BOSS: Sebastien Duquet, Managing Director of PlaNIS (PlaNet Investment Services), a member of the PlaNet Finance Group

Sébastien Duquet is the Managing Director of PlaNIS (PlaNet Investment Services), a member of the PlaNet Finance Group.

MicroCapital: What is your background?

SD: Until recently, I was the Managing Director of PlaNet Finance, where I have worked since 2002. Previously, I was an auditor for Andersen and Ernst & Young for ten years, and I also worked for two years at HSBC bank.

MC: Please describe PlaNet Investment Services.

by the MicroCapital Team -

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: International Finance Corporation (IFC) Considering $10m Investment in Cygma for Foreign Currency Hedges for Microfinance Investors

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), an arm of the World Bank, is considering making a USD 10 million investment in the USD 50 million Cygma Fund, which will offer foreign currency hedges to investors looking to make local currency investments in microfinance institutions in developing countries.

by Jay Kumar -

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Interest Rates and Microfinance Debated in “Does Micro Finance Alleviate Poverty? Borrowers Response” Seminar in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Rapport Bangladesh Limited (RBL), a professional management services organization, recently organized a seminar in Dhaka titled “Does Micro Finance Alleviate Poverty? Borrowers Response”.