The Pathfinder Foundation, supported by the Sri Lanka Business Development Centre, organised a Sanvadaya (a stake holder discussion) on the proposed Legislation on Micro Finance recently at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Colombo. More…
Intellecap's Investment Advisory Facilitates Legatum's US$25 Mln Investment in SHARE Microfin Limited
During May, Legatum Global Development and Aavishkaar Goodwell announced a landmark investment deal in Share Microfin Limited (SML), India’s leading microfinance institution. Legatum, a private firm that invests in capital markets and in initiatives that support human and social development, along with the India-focused microfinance development company Aavishkaar Goodwell, will invest US $27 Million in SML. More… (PDF 81KB)
Legatum Invests US$4.5 Million in FINO to Support Microfinance Technology Development
Legatum, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Coronet Capital Limited, announced an investment of US$4.5Mln in India-based Financial Information Network and Operations Pvt. Ltd. (FINO). FINO is pioneering smart card technology and back office solutions which support microfinance institutions, banks, insurance companies and government institutions which serve the poor in India and globally. This investment will accelerate FINO’s growth plans and enable it to play an important role in the transformation of the microfinance sector, leading to greater efficiencies and lower costs for borrowers. More… (PDF 68KB)
2007 Annual Boulder Microfinance Training Program
Registrations are now open for the 13th annual Boulder Microfinance Training Program will be hosted by the International Labor Organinisation (ILO) in Turin, Italy. The program will be run from the 16th of July to 3rd of August, 2007. Participants will have their choice of over 40 elective courses to fit their needs and interests, including savings, remittances, agricultural microfinance, microfinance plus, and risk and portfolio management. For details click here.
CGAP's Technology Program Call for Applications
On April the 10th CGAP called for applications for the second round of CGAP’s Technology Program. The Program is seeking projects that will demonstrate sustainable technology approaches that overcome constraints to accessing finance, and help reach clients that traditional microfinance has found to be too poor, remote, or marginalised to serve. CGAP will offer strategic and technical advice, funding, and in-depth research to support selected pilots, and successful applicants will get assistance to develop a business plan. The deadline for this second round of applications is June 25, 2007. For details on how to apply click here.
Philippines: Mobile Commerce Partnership
Leading wireless services provider Smart Communications (SMART) and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK), one of the country’s top five banks, recently entered into a strategic partnership that will push the use of mobile commerce in delivering fast and accessible financial services to benefit LANDBANK’s OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers) clientele. LANDBANK and SMART also agreed to cooperate in developing products and services to address the requirements of LANDBANK’s priority sectors – farmers and fisher folk, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and micro entrepreneurs, and local government units (LGUs). More...
MCPI and the MIX release the report: Benchmarking Philippine Microfinance 2005
The Microfinance Council of the Philippines, Inc. (MCPI) and the Microfinance Information eXchange, Inc. (MIX) released Benchmarking Philippine Microfinance 2005, the second annual report on the topic. This report explores the performance of the two major players in Philippine microfinance – NGOs and rural banks. To examine financial and operational performance and the development of the Philippines microfinance market, the report draws on 2005 performance data for 45 Philippine microfinance institutions and background information on the historical and legislative environment for microfinance. You can view the Benchmarking Philippine Microfinance 2005 report here. (PDF 267KB)
Asia/Pacific Region Microcredit Summit Meeting of Councils
In March 2008, the Microcredit Summit Campaign will partner with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) to host the Asia/Pacific Region Microcredit Summit Meeting of Councils (APRMS) in Islamabad, Pakistan from the 4th – 6th . Further details regarding the session topics, panellists, program, venue and registration will be available in the near future. To visit the Microcredit Summit Campaign website click here.