by Stefanie Rubin -

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Asia’s Microfinance Industry Dominated by US and European Investors, Says Standard Chartered’s Global Head of Microfinance, Mr Prashant Thakker

According to a recent article in The Business Times, a daily Singaporean newspaper, “Asia’s institutional and private investors have yet to warm to the microfinance sector, despite its prominence in the region and its resilience as an asset class this past downturn.”

by Hio Kyeng Lee -

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) Publishes Latest Trends in Kosovo Microfinance Institutions

In conjunction with the Association of Microfinance Institutions in Kosovo (AMIK), Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) published a report titled, “The 2009 Kosovo Microfinance Analysis & Benchmarking Report.”

by Jay Kumar -

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: MIX Releases MicroBanking Bulletin No. 19, Providing Insight Into the Impact of the Global Economic and Financial Slowdown on the Microfinance Industry

The Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX), a business information and data services provider for the global microfinance industry, recently released the latest issue of The Microbanking Bulletin, an industry journal of microfinance performance.

by Stefanie Rubin -

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Dubai Slump Affects Remittances to Poorer Neighbors in Middle East

According to a recent article in Indian daily The Economic Times, Dubai’s financial crisis has caused a ripple around the Arab world, “eating away at the money many Middle East families depend on, sent home from relatives who work in Persian Gulf countries.”

by Stefanie Rubin -

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Awards $38m in Grants to Help Microfinance Institutions Expand Savings Initiatives for Poor

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded six grants worth a total of USD 38 million to help 18 microfinance institutions (MFIs) expand or launch savings initiatives.

by Jay Kumar -

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: ICICI Prudential Asset Management Invests $900k in $10m Securitized Offering by Chennai-based Equitas Microfinance

ICICI Prudential Asset Management, an Indian fund manager, has invested in a securitized offering by Equitas Microfinance, an Indian microcredit lending firm based in Chennai, India.

by the MicroCapital Team -

MEET THE BOSS: Sebastien Duquet, Managing Director of PlaNIS (PlaNet Investment Services), a member of the PlaNet Finance Group

Sébastien Duquet is the Managing Director of PlaNIS (PlaNet Investment Services), a member of the PlaNet Finance Group.

MicroCapital: What is your background?

SD: Until recently, I was the Managing Director of PlaNet Finance, where I have worked since 2002. Previously, I was an auditor for Andersen and Ernst & Young for ten years, and I also worked for two years at HSBC bank.

MC: Please describe PlaNet Investment Services.

by Stefanie Rubin -

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan Closes First Microfinance Deal, $4.2m to Kashf Foundation

Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan Ltd, a subsidiary of Standard Chartered PLC, has closed its first microfinance deal, a two-year term loan to Kashf Foundation worth PKR 350 million (USD 4.2 million).