Oikocredit’s motto is “Investing in People.” But what does that mean – and how can investments funds from US investors reach entrepreneurs and workers in the poorest countries worldwide? Oikocredit USA staffer Leah Gage breaks it down.  Part 1: The Investor Being an investor in Oikocredit is more than just a passive contribution to global poverty alleviation. Sometimes, being an investor in Oikocredit requires work – I can attest to ... Read More »

This week we’re sharing information about the success of microfinance in Peru. Oikocredit’s Regional Manager for the Northern Andean Region in South America- Frank Rubio- recently hosted a webinar on Oikocredit’s microfinance partners in Peru, such as PRISMA! When you think microfinance, countries like India or Bangladesh might come to mind… However, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit, the leading country is Peru!  This is the 2nd year Peru has ... Read More »

One of Oikocredit’s partners in Ghana is Opportunity International Savings and Loan Ghana, a divison of Opportuntiy International- a development organization whose goals are similar to those of Oikocredit. Every Tuesday Grace Oppong begins setting up tables and benches underneath a tree in her village of Adankwame. Grace’s fellow villagers have elected her community chairperson of the Nyame Ne Boafo Trust , a solidarity group that uses mutual trust 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 »

We’d like to offer a report on what Oikocredit’s Social Performance Manager, Ging Ledesma, has been doing on a recent trip to Vallanadu, in the Tamil Nadu state of India. Oikocredit’s Social Performance Manager, Ging Ledesma, traveled to Tamilnadu by way of Bengaluru, India last month. Where’s that? Bengaluru is another way to say Bangalore, a city you may have heard of, home to over 7 million people. Tamilnadu is ... Read More »

With Halloween right around the corner, Americans are about to indulge in their favorite candies, such as M&Ms, Snickers, and Kit-Kats.  In fact, we individually enjoy almost 11 pounds of chocolate a year![i] Americans demand $4.3 billion in cocoa imports—that’s 1,222,300 metric tons of cocoa! [ii] However, did you know that the companies that make your favorite treats may be guilty of supporting child labor and human trafficking in West ... Read More »

Oikocredit relies on investor support for more than financial investment in our project partners. Our investors are also our strongest resource in mobilizing support of Oikocredit’s model for alleviating poverty through microcredit. The Summer of Microfinance is traditionally a time when we ask investors to become ambassadors for Oikocredit, reaching out to their respective communities to share our mission and encourage a wider base of support. This summer, Oikocredit did ... 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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You’ve probably heard about the debate surrounding interest rates on microfinance loans, with the center of focus hitting Indian microfinance institutions in the past year. However, you may not know what the industry is doing to respond to these concerns, what Oikocredit is doing to ensure transparent pricing for end-borrowers, or even how interest rates are calculated in the field.

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