The experts of Global Microfinance Group have carried out pioneering work in Latin America, Eastern Europe and Asia in (i) Greenfield projects – establishing and managing MFIs, (ii) Downscaling – creating MSME lending departments in commercial banks and (iii) Upgrading – transforming existing MFIs into regulated microfinance banks. Below is a representative sample of some of the projects carried out by Global Microfinance Group:

Argentina Microfinanzas, Argentina
Argentina Microfinanzas SA (AMSA) – launched pilot credit operations in Mendoza, Argentina, in late 2004. Mendoza, located near the border with Chile, represents the fifth largest urban agglomeration in the country with one million inhabitants.
The institution’s 24 full-time employees manage an active client base of 1,300 clients. Since starting operations, AMSA has disbursed 7,600 loans and USD 9 million. Credit quality has been high throughout this time with portfolio-at-risk (PAR30) typically around 2% and historical loan losses of only 1% of the loan portfolio.

European Fund for South East Europe (EFSE), Consulting Services in Credit Risk and Delinquency Management, Eastern Europe
Reengineering of credit risk management and loan collection; review of corporate strategy; training of credit staff and branch managers; restructuring of staff training programmes.

European Fund for South East Europe (EFSE), Consulting Services for Technical Assistance to support the preliminary phase of transformation of a leading MFI into a bank, Eastern Europe
Gap analysis for transformation with special emphasis on organisational, legal and financial aspects; pre-feasibility check including development of action plan for transformation; elaboration of business plan.

Crisis and Microfinance Workshop, Eastern Europe
Crisis workshop for leading MFIs and microfinance banks on past crises in other countries on coping strategies; delinquency; communication; balance sheet management; core operational issues; risk management; structural issues.

European Fund for South East Europe (EFSE), Consulting Services in Credit Risk and Delinquency Management in support of a Rural MFI in Eastern Europe
Reengineering of credit risk management and loan collection; establishment of fraud management procedure; review of corporate strategy; modification of the delinquency MIS; training of credit staff and branch managers.

Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), Strategy Consulting to assist an established Russian Bank develop a sustainable SME lending strategy, Russian Federation
Review of corporate, retail and SME lending strategies; organisation and shift of strategic focus, re-engineering of SME lending technology to improve credit risk management and facilitate growth; redesign of the organizational structure.

Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau (KfW), German Financial Cooperation project, Southwest Asia
Advisory services and due diligence on the proposed transformation of the Individual lending arm of an established foundation into a greenfield microfinance bank.

Advisory services for the trade sale of a leading country SME and rural lender, Eastern Europe
Formulation of expansion plan and strategy; analysis of the market opportunity; drafting of the investment proposal; development of the offering memorandum.

Advisory services for a new venture in green energy and real estate investments, Latin America
Formulation of business strategy, preparation of offering documents, liaison with potential investors and strategic partners.


Sectoral Microfinance Projects

Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) Programme for the Introduction of Home Improvement Loans in Russian Banks, Russian Federation
Development of implementation and rollout strategy; development of sales and marketing strategy for launch of new Home Improvement Loan products; training of management and loan officers in credit methodology for Home Improvement Loans.

Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), Report on the Mortgage Finance Industry in Russia, Russian Federation
Analysis of the mortgage finance industry and market in Russia; market overview, stability and effects of the sub-prime crisis; overview of main players, structure of original loans and product offerings; assessment of financing demand and opportunities for its growth and development..

Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) Financial Cooperation Microfinance Programme, Southwest Asia
Evaluation of existing framework conditions; development of recommendations; preliminary design of a sustainable refinancing scheme/credit enhancement facility for the country microfinance sector.

Seminars on Small Business Lending Technology, Latin America
Design and delivery of seminars to representatives of six non-profit institutions from Latin America.
Introduction of appropriate technology for the analysis of small and medium-size loans; introduction of practical instruments for the credit evaluation of small enterprises.

European Bank for Development and Reconstruction (EBRD) Country Market Review, Central Asia
Comprehensive evaluation of the business, political, fiscal, regulatory and macroeconomic landscape; review of the existing micro and small enterprise sector and existing initiatives; analysis of the demand for financial services and the scope for growth in the supply of credit.