- Largest commercial microfinance fund in the world celebrates 20th anniversary
- First BlueOrchard Impact Summit to take place in Pontresina (Switzerland) this October
The BlueOrchard Microfinance Fund (BOMF) has become with more than USD 1.7 billion AuM the largest commercial microfinance fund in the world and has achieved competitive returns for its private and global investor base, including banks, insurances, and pension funds. For 20 years, BOMF has been fostering inclusive growth in 69 emerging and frontier markets, providing access to financial and related services to over 20 million low-income individuals and households by investing in 325 microfinance institutions. Today, 53% of the Fund’s clients are women entrepreneurs and 42% live in rural areas. BOMF addresses with its investments 11 out of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“During the last 20 years BOMF has proven that financial returns and social impact go hand in hand. While it has grown to become the largest commercial microfinance fund in the world, it remains under the same mission and vision, committed to fighting poverty and empowering people in emerging countries. We are proud to celebrate today the 20th anniversary of this unique fund, said Peter A. Fanconi, BlueOrchard’s Chairman of the Board.
“We are thankful to our investors for making this milestone anniversary possible. Investors today are increasingly asking for investment solutions that generate a financial return while making a social and/or environmental impact. We will continue to provide our investors worldwide with attractive investment solutions which contribute to solving the social and environmental challenges of our time,” said Patrick Scheurle, CEO of BlueOrchard.
In 1998, the General Assembly of the United Nations designated 2005 as the International Year of Microcredit. The Year was established to promote the contributions of microfinance to creating an inclusive and sustainable financial system, which grants access to financial services to the world’s poor. Under the umbrella of the Year, several initiatives were instigated by the UN to encourage microfinance investments. One of these was the launch of the world’s first fully private and commercial microfinance fund in 1998, the BlueOrchard Microfinance Fund (BOMF). The aim was to furnish proof to the idea that fighting poverty and generating market-rate returns is not an either-or choice.
First BlueOrchard Impact Summit
Today, 20 years later, reducing poverty and inequalities are as important and efforts to tackle these challenges are even impeded by the consequences of climate change. Taking place on the 3rd and 4th of October in Pontresina, Switzerland, the BlueOrchard Impact Summit will therefore focus on how investments in Inclusive Growth, Climate Change, Education and Sustainable Infrastructure can be mobilized at scale to address these challenges in developing countries and to close the alarming annual investment gap of USD 2.5 trillion in key sustainable development sectors.
“The upcoming BlueOrchard Impact Summit is a fantastic opportunity for leaders from around the world to discuss resources required to achieve the SDGs in the years to come”, said Peter A. Fanconi, BlueOrchard’s Chairman of the Board.
The Summit will bring together thought leaders from around the world, from public and private sectors to discuss, exchange, learn from each other’s experience and consequently derive solutions on how to reduce today’s rising inequalities. For more information on the Summit and the speakers, please visit: www.blueorchard-summit.com.
About BlueOrchard Finance Ltd
BlueOrchard is a leading global impact investment manager. The firm is dedicated to fostering inclusive and climate-smart growth, while providing attractive returns for investors. BlueOrchard was founded in 2001, by initiative of the UN, as the world’s first commercial manager of microfinance debt investments. Today, BlueOrchard provides investors around the world with premium investment solutions, including credit, private equity, and sustainable infrastructure. Being an expert in innovative blended finance mandates, the firm is a trusted partner of leading global development finance institutions. With a major global presence and offices on four continents, BlueOrchard has invested to date more than USD 5bn across 80 emerging and frontier markets, enabling tangible social and environmental impact. BlueOrchard is a licensed Swiss asset manager of collective investment schemes authorized by FINMA. Its Luxembourg entity, BlueOrchard Asset Management S.A., is a licensed UCITS management company as well as a licensed alternative investment fund manager (AIFM) authorized by CSSF. For additional information, please visit: www.blueorchard.com.
For further information, please contact:
Tahmina Theis
+41 22 596 47 69
tahmina.theis@blueorchard.com
www.blueorchard.com