Switzerland’s leading impact investment manager BlueOrchard reports strong top quartile performance in 2017 – growth to continue in 2018

• BlueOrchard Microfinance Fund (BOMF) becoming world’s largest microfinance fund reaching USD 1.3 bn and surpassing an annual net performance of USD 4%
• 50 new institutions financed and 3 new countries (Jordan, Vietnam and Honduras) have been added to BlueOrchard’s investment universe totaling to 70 countries
• In 2017 only, BlueOrchard has reached out to more than 1,6 million new clients. Overall, the firm has initialized to date loans to over 35 million micro-entrepreneurs in emerging and frontier markets
• Fighting poverty and the effects of climate change, the firm has launched new initiatives and products extending its multi-asset class offering – demonstrating its capability as one stop shop for impact investors globally

BlueOrchard reports solid performance and growth across all its 7 funds, building on its existing and new investors’ base, a strong investment pipeline as well as highly qualified and experienced staff across 7 offices. To date, the company has disbursed 4.7 bn USD across 70 emerging and frontier countries, reaching out to more than 35 million people.

In 2017 BlueOrchard took up responsibility for the prestigious InsuResilience Investment Fund, initiated by KfW, the German Development Bank, on behalf of the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development – combining private debt and private equity investments as well as technical assistance to develop climate insurance solutions for the poor and vulnerable – as well as for the Enabling Microfinance Fund (EMF) – an open-end investment fund, originated in Liechtenstein. Furthermore, the company was given the opportunity to participate in public-private syndicated loans arranged by global development banks, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in some of the most underbanked countries.

Outlook: Extension of asset-class offering
BlueOrchard provides innovative investment opportunities including private and public debt, private equity, real estate and sustainable infrastructure. New initiatives include:

• Impact Bond Fund, granting investors for the first time access to a “liquid Microfinance Fund”(UCITS)
• Sub national Climate Fund together with Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Foundation R20 Regions of Climate Action: a unique initiative addressing the funding gap for green infrastructure projects at a sub national level in developing countries
• Caucasus Real Estate Fund, providing energy-efficient and climate neutral property investments in the Caucasus region

“Our results in 2017 reflect the progress in empowering people across urban and rural populations in the emerging world to grow out of poverty and to withstand the effects of climate change,” says Peter A. Fanconi, BlueOrchard’s Chairman of the Board.

“I am very pleased with the development of our firm in 2017, in which we have achieved outstanding triple bottom line performance and demonstrated our innovation capacity. We are very confident that 2018 will lead to similar results,” adds Dr. Patrick Scheurle, CEO of BlueOrchard.

For further information, please contact:
Tahmina Theis
+41 44 441 55 50
tahmina.theis@blueorchard.com
www.blueorchard.com

BlueOrchard Finance is a leading global investment management firm dedicated to fostering inclusive and sustainable growth while providing attractive returns for its investors. BlueOrchard offers premium multi-asset class solutions and is an expert in innovative blended finance and public-private-partnership mandates. With a major presence in emerging and frontier markets and offices on four continents, BlueOrchard helps its partners around the world make profound investment decisions and meet their objectives.

Founded in 2001 by initiative of the UN, BlueOrchard was the first commercial manager of microfinance debt investments. The firm has utilized its know-how and experience to steadily expand into asset classes including credit, private equity, and sustainable infrastructure. To date, BlueOrchard has invested more than USD 4,7bn across 70 emerging and frontier markets, enabling fundamental social impact. BlueOrchard Finance is a licensed Swiss asset manager authorized by the FINMA. Its Luxembourg entity is a licensed alternative investment fund manager (AIFM) authorized by the CSSF. For additional information, please visit: www.blueorchard.com.