Director’s Corner follows Oikocredit USA National Director Sharlene Brown as she reflects on her work and her travels to investors and supportive communities in the US. Last weekend I attended Rotary’s Symposium to Eliminate Poverty Sustainably (STEPS) and was blown away at the commitment to service of Rotarians around the world. This symposium gave me the opportunity to hear about the projects Rotarians have supported in Peru, Indonesia, Haiti, and ... Read More »

Director’s Corner follows Oikocredit USA National Director Sharlene Brown as she reflects on her work and her travels to investors and supportive communities in the US. Like many people, I begin each year with much reflection and contemplation. Personally, I’ve been looking for inspiration, thinking about the conditions in the world and my contribution to the solutions. How can I be a citizen of the world and a contributor to ... Read More »

Microfinance pricing is complicated and data shows there is not one single price for any type of microloan product, regardless of lending methodology (group loan, individual loan, etc.) or purpose (business, housing, etc.), around the world. In fact, seemingly similar microfinance loan products offered by several financial institutions in a given market, such as business loans borrowed by groups in Rwanda, could have very different prices. When you have multiple loan providers in one market with a variety of operational characteristics, serving different market segments (low –moderate income, rural vs urban, etc.) and no standards for pricing disclosure, this could mean confusion for borrowers. If the same product has different prices and these prices are communicated in different forms (e.g. interest rate only vs. fee plus interest), how can a client compare prices and choose the best option available?

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Director’s Corner follows Oikocredit USA National Director Sharlene Brown through her travels to investors and supportive communities in the US. I visited New Orleans for the first time in 2000 to attend the Essence Music Festival with two close friends. Enchanted by this historic city, we left with intentions of returning with some regularity, but that didn’t happen and then the years went by. As is now written into the ... Read More »

What does true price or transparent pricing mean in microfinance? The global, working definition of transparent pricing means the pricing, terms, and conditions of loans will be adequately disclosed to the clients in a clear manner that allows both accurate understanding of prices and comparison of different products. The terminology itself is important. The interest rate is one of several charges and terms that affect the overall cost of borrowing. Using the word “pricing” rather than “interest rates” is more comprehensive.

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EVANSTON, Ill. – Entrepreneurs and microfinance institutions in developing countries will benefit from a new strategic partnership between the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, a global humanitarian service organization, and Oikocredit, a Netherlands-based cooperative financial institution that promotes socially responsible investing. Under the partnership, the Rotary Foundation – the charitable arm of Rotary International — will provide grants to Rotary clubs to enable club members to work with microfinance institutions ... Read More »

Violence, unrest, and conflict continue to plague the Ivory Coast, especially the nation’s largest city of Abidjan and surrounding Abobo suburbs. Following the November 2010 election in which President Laurent Gbagbo refused to cede power to his opponent Alassane Ouattara, recognized by the U.N. and international community as the winner of the election, peaceful protests were met by violent government backlash that continues to escalate. Oikocredit is particularly concerned for ... Read More »

We’re gearing up for a summer full of fun events! We’d love to see you – Please come visit our Community HUB to find a local event near you!

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Help us celebrate the new year by joining the movement that is changing how we think about investing. RVL is partnering with Oikocredit USA to launch its first ever grassroots movement to end global poverty. This means we are organizing communities in Seattle and beyond to join the Oikocredit Movement to fight poverty through microfinance. Seattle is our pilot community, and we plan to take lessons learned and expand the ... Read More »

In 1996, Kosmosbek founded his own “GalenPharm” company in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to produce ointments and tinctures from locally grown medicinal herbs. With a series of five loans, he has been able to develop the business, improve production facilities and expand distribution throughout Kyrgyzstan. Today, Kosmosbek employs 50 full-time and 15 part-time employees. His future plans include specialized drugstores providing consultation and treatment with herbal remedies. GalenPharm produces more than 60 ... Read More »