MICROCAPITAL EVENT: The Frankfurt School of Finance and Management (FSFM) to Offer Annual Micro Banking Summer Academy (MBSA) for Managers of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs)

Micro Banking Summer Academy

August 22 – September 5, 2008, Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, Bad Homburg and Frankfurt, Germany

The Frankfurt School of Finance and Management (FSFM), previously known as Bankakademie, will hold its annual Micro Banking Summer Academy (MBSA) in August and September. Meant for managers of microfinance institutions (MFIs), the MBSA will be comprised of three sessions. The first will be an introductory weekend course entitled “Microfinance Principles” (August 22nd – 24th) designed for new practitioners and as a refresher for more experienced managers. Topics covered will include microfinance best practice, operational principles of MFIs, loan management, and financial performance. The first weekend agenda can be found here.

Following the first weekend will be two week-long sessions, the first of which is entitled “MFI Management in a Changing Environment” and will take place August 24th through the 29th. The agenda can be found here and it will cover change and transformation in MFIs, risk management, profitability management, regulation and supervision of MFIs, as well as an overarching case study encompassing all topics covered.

Scheduled for August 31st through September 5th, the second week will be held on the main campus of the FSFM and is entitled “Commercial Microfinance in a Competitive Environment.” As shown in the agenda found here, the second week will discuss microfinance products, finance and fund management, advanced risk management, delivery of services, and a case study.

Both week-long courses will include a final discussion on future trends and innovations within microfinance, an institutional fair, and various evening programs.

Tuition is as follows:

“Microfinance Principles” – EUR 800
“MFI Management in a Changing Environment” – EUR 2,500
“Commercial Microfinance in a Competitive Environment” – EUR 2,500

Each session must be applied for separately and the deadline is June 15th. Applications will not be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Both online and PDF versions are provided:

“Microfinance Principles” – online; PDF
“MFI Management in a Changing Environment” – online; PDF
“Commercial Microfinance in a Competitive Environment” – online; PDF

Through the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program, prospective attendees may apply for 1 of 25 Partial Scholarships or 5 High Level Scholarships, as shown here. The application may be found here.

Based in Toronto, The MasterCard Foundation (MCF) is a private charitable foundation—founded in May 2006 through the provision of 13 million shares during MasterCard Worldwide’s initial public offering (IPO)—which makes grants in the areas of microfinance and youth education with the aim of providing better access for all, to the global economy. According to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) the MCF reported 2006 total assets of CAD 1.2 billion, or USD 1 billion. MicroCapital recently reported on the MCF here.

FSFM is a private business school founded in 1957 with 86 regional education centers and over 18,100 students participating in academic, corporate, or professional programs. In 2006, the school reported revenues of EUR 49 million.

For more information on the MBSA, those interested may contact Carolin Drucks (c.drucks@frankfurt-school.de; +49 (0)69 154008-616) or Maria Johansson (m.johansson@frankfurt-school.de; +49 (0)69 154008-617).

By Anthony Busch, Research Assistant

Additional Resources:

Canada Revenue Agency: Home, 2006 Registered Charity Information Return for MASTERCARD FOUNDATION

Frankfurt School of Finance and Management: Home, Facts & Figures, Organization

The MasterCard Foundation: Home, Background

MasterCard Worldwide: Home

Micro Banking Summer Academy: Home, “Microfinance Principles”, Agenda Microfinance Principles, “MFI Management in a Changing Environment”, Agenda Week I, “Commercial Microfinance in a Competitive Environment”, Agenda Week II, Administrative Details and Application, MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program, Application for the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program

MicroCapital article, June 2, 2008: “Toronto’s MasterCard Foundation Grants $604,473 to Six Global Microfinance Training Institutes”

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