by decree, on the 13th of January, 2012
The PlaNet Finance Foundation was recognized as being of public utility by decree, on the 13th of January, 2012.
The PlaNet Finance Foundation helps poor populations who are excluded from the formal banking system, develop their independent income generating activities. The accompaniment of these microentrepreneurs sustainably improves their living conditions and those of their surrounding communities. The Foundation finances projects implemented and managed by the main development and microfinance actors worldwide. It also contributes to the amelioration of the social impact of microfinance by adhering to, and communicating best practices.
[ + ]The PlaNet Finance and Oliver Wyman report on Mobile Banking is the most read publications on Microfinance Gateway 2011/12/22
The report is avaiable on our website
Our report on Mobile Banking in partnership with Oliver Wyman was one of the most read publications on Microfinance Gateway in 2011. It was given a 5 stars rating.
The report is avaiable on our website (Media, Other Publications) as well as on this link : http://www.microfinancegateway.org/p/site/m/template.rc/1.9.50102/
Below, a comment of Paul Robinson, from the International Finance Corporation, on May 13th, 2011
This is an interesting report from PlaNet Finance *****
This is a really interesting report. I had the opportunity to meet the Planet Finance project managers in Ivory Coast (Louis Koffi and Simon Priollaud)who actually did a really good job working with a local MFI. I am looking forward to read the next Planet Finance report.
Paul Robinson
IFC
Italy
[ + ]PlaNet Finance and Credit Suisse launch a new project in China "Microfinance Robustness Program"2011/12/20
This one-year programme aims to streghten risk management in the microfinance sector in China
In recent years, microfinance has been booming in China, with over 3,000 Microcredit Companies in operation by 2011, and outstanding loans reaching RMB 200 billion, expanding financial access to the many Chinese microentrepreneurs who often lack the loans necessary to develop income generating activities and a sustainable livelihood. However, with the Chinese microfinance sector now entering a period of rapid growth, risk management will be decisive for the sustainable growth of the sector. “Robustness” will be a necessary foundation for the Chinese microfinance industry and individual microfinance institutions to grow further, control over-indebtedness, and access new funding sources.
Through the “Microfinance Robustness Program”, supported by the Credit Suisse Microfinance Capacity Building Initiative, PlaNet Finance aims to help the Chinese microfinance sector prepare for its long term success and integration within the financial system by strengthening risk management in line with internationally accepted frameworks and guidelines for risk management, while delivering key solutions that will become references in the sector for risk management best practices. The 1 year program will have a 3 pillars approach:
“Risk Management System” - Technical Assistance for Microfinance Institutions (MFIs)
This pillar aims to support 1 designated Chinese MFI in reducing its risk profile and getting prepared for new funding schemes. Acting as an incubator, the objective is to build “best in class” MFIs matching current risk requirements of regulators and capital markets, becoming a visible case study and replicable model for the microfinance sector in China.
Training: Chief Financial Officers and Chief Risk Officers Capacity Building Platform
This training initiative for Chief Financial Officers (CFO) and Chief Risk Officers (CRO) of Chinese MFIs has the objective to get the right people prepared for the implementation of best practices in risk management, through targeted training on risk management topics.
Risk Management Research and Awareness
In collaboration with a renowned research institution, research on a “sound development of refinancing microfinance in China” will be delivered, with the aim of bringing support to an area critical to the long term sustainability of the Chinese microfinance sector.
About PlaNet Finance
PlaNet Finance's mission is to help poor people develop income generating activities, in order to sustainably improve their living conditions. PlaNet Finance has a worldwide network of 122 experts and is active in about 50 countries. Since 2003, PlaNet Finance has been active in over 20 provinces in China, offering advisory services and technical assistance to microfinance actors to improve their financial and social performance as well as supporting microentrepreneurs in their endeavors. Successful projects in China have included the establishment of Microcred, the first fully foreign-owned microcredit company in Sichuan province, and the provision of comprehensive microfinance technical assistance to Harbin Bank and Changxing Village Bank. With its Microfinance Plus Programs, PlaNet Finance in China also leverages microfinance institutions' networks and resources to tackle other critical issues such as health, environment, education and rural development. PlaNet Finance is a member of the PlaNet Finance Group.
www.planetfinancegroup.org,
www.planetfinancechina.org
Press Contact
PlaNet Finance Headquarters (Paris - France)
Marlène Biard – mbiard@planetfinance.org
+33 (0)1 49 21 26 15
PlaNet Finance China (Beijing - China)
Ed Wu – edwu@mfchina.cn
+86 10 84408458/8468
Mrs. Irina Bokova, General Director of UNESCO was the special guest of the ceremony
This edition was undoubtedly exceptional with prizewinners coming from France, but also from Egypt, Palestine, Niger and Vietnam, and a large audience. Mrs. Irina Bokova, General Director of UNESCO was the special guest of the ceremony. She talked about the role of microfinance in fighting against poverty and promoting peace via education.
November 14-17, 2011 - Valladolid, Spain
What do Queen Sofia of Spain, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus, Group Danone Chairman Franck Riboud, former Mexican President Vicente Fox and Sir Fazle Abed of BRAC all have in common? From November 14-17, 2011, they will join some 2,000 activists and poverty fighters from more than 100 countries in Valladolid, Spain, for the Global Microcredit Summit, a gathering held once every five years.
Take this opportunity to meet with Arnaud Ventura, Vice President of PlaNet Finance Group who will chair the workshop "Why Managing for Social Performance is More Important than Just Measuring It, and How Can MFIs Best Use These Insights?" on November 14 - 16:30-18:00. (to read the abstract, click here)
To know more about this event: http://www.globalmicrocreditsummit2011.org
To receive a 10% discount, register for the Summit online by November 11, 2011 using this code: MCSDIS
Implementing Client Protection in Microfinance: The State of the Practice, 2011
The Smart Campaign has just published an unprecedented compilation of third-party assessments of client protection at microfinance institutions (MFIs). "Implementing Client Protection in Microfinance: The State of the Practice, 2011," is a first look at how the microfinance industry is doing when it comes to client protection. The report, commissioned by the Smart Campaign's Steering Committee, is based on 479 third-party assessments of client protection practices at more than 300 MFIs in five global regions, and has two main purposes. The first is to document the extent to which the Smart Campaign and actors throughout the microfinance industry are working to move from simply raising awareness about client protection to capacity building, implementation, and finally certification. The second purpose is to provide a first look at how the microfinance industry is doing on the implementation of the Client Protection Principles (CPPs).
Please find the paper on our website: www.smartcampaign.org