MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Schroders Buying Controlling Stake in Microfinance Investor BlueOrchard

Schroders, a UK-based asset manager with GBP 444 billion (USD 538 billion) in assets under management, recently agreed to acquire a majority holding in BlueOrchard Finance, a Switzerland-based firm with USD 3.5 billion in microfinance and other “impact” assets under management. The terms of the deal remain confidential.

BlueOrchard Chairman Peter Fanconi commented, “With Schroders we have found the ideal strategic partner with whom we will further increase our impact and jointly contribute to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”

The CEO of BlueOrchard, Patrick Scheurle, said, “Schroders’ stable ownership structure and heritage, which is closely aligned with BlueOrchard’s long-term investment philosophy, makes them an excellent partner for our business.”

BlueOrchard was founded in 2011. Its investees serve 39 million microentrepreneurs, of whom 58 percent are women. In addition to microfinance, it invests in areas such as education and initiatives that mitigate climate change.

Schroders is a publicly traded firm with offices in 32 countries.

Sources and Additional Resources

Press release from Schroders
https://www.schroders.com/en/media-relations/newsroom/all_news_releases/schroders-acquires-majority-stake-in-leading-impact-investor-blueorchard/

BlueOrchard homepage
https://www.blueorchard.com/

UN Sustainable Development Goals
https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/

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