Archive
Microfinance Market Commentary April 2013
The microfinance market activity was strong during the last two months. The SYM 50 MFI loan portfolios grew steadily showing some regional disparities. Overall, the MFIs continued showing stable financial and operational...[more]
Microfinance Market Commentary March 2013
Dual Return Fund - Vision Microfinance has successfully renewed its application (May 2013) for the LuxFLAG Microfinance Label. The purpose of the Label is to promote the raising of capital in microfinance by reassuring investors...[more]
Microfinance Market Commentary February 2013
MFIs’ debt financing demand has begun to increase in February after a moderate activity of the previous month. The market activity is expected to increase at a faster pace in March and April. Overall, the MFIs continued showing...[more]
Webinar: Microfinance Investment Insights
Dr. Arman Vardanyan, Head of Microfinance/Fund Manager of the Dual Return - „Vision Microfinance" funds and Mag. Christoph Eckart, Portfolio Manager of the funds were leading through the webinar. In spite of modest expectations...[more]
APM country visit in Mexico - November 2012
Christoph Eckart, fund manager of APM´s two microfinance funds, travelled through Latin America during October and November to observe the microfinance sector and to meet with investee microfinance institutions and their...[more]
APM country visit in Ecuador - October 2012
Christoph Eckart, fund manager of APM´s two microfinance funds, travelled through Latin America during October and November to observe the microfinance sector and to meet with investee microfinance institutions and their...[more]
Jakarta Post: Low-income sector fast-growing market for unsurance firms in RI
Life insurance companies are trying to grab a new market with their microinsurance products, teaming up with microfinance institutions, such as credit unions and cooperatives, providing financial protection to millions of...[more]
Webinar: Microfinance Investment Insights
Dr. Arman Vardanyan, experienced asset manager of the two „Vision Microfinance“ funds and author of numerous research works on developing countries and emerging markets was leading through the webinar. After a period of rapid...[more]
Luxflag Press Release 10/2012
LuxFLAG now labels thirty funds Two new Environment funds received the LuxFLAG Environment Label One new Microfinance fund received the LuxFLAG Microfinanc e Label Thress new Associate Members Please find the entire text in...[more]
Market Watch: Large returns from tiny business, World Bank says
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (MarketWatch) — The World Bank released its World Development Report 2013 this month, and it says smaller enterprises in the developing world may be better investments than larger companies. The report says...[more]
Microfinance Market Commentary September 2012
The microfinance market has continued its positive performance as main financial and operational performance indicators have been stable over the last few months. Both the average Portfolio at risk > 30 days and the average ROE...[more]
Microcapital: APM Dual Return Fund loans $8m to Microfinance Insitutions
Absolute Portfolio Management GmbH (APM), an Austrian investment company that specializes in microfinance, recently disbursed loans to unspecified microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Asia, Eastern Europe and South America.In...[more]
Microfinance through the prism of a responsible investor
An article from Dr. Arman Vardanyan, the fund manager of the Dual Return Funds - Vision Microfiance and Vision Microfinance Local Currency. THE SEARCH FOR MEANING BEYOND PROFIT Throughout the history of capitalism business has...[more]
Huffingtonpost: Microfinance's Risky Lending Is a Safe Bet
As I look at the microfinance industry globally, I'm encouraged by the trends and the progress we've achieved so far. Whether you search in Wikipedia, CGAP or MIX Market, whatever the source of the data and however qualified,...[more]
Microfinance Market Commentary August 2012
MFIs’ debt financing demand has begun to increase in August after a moderate activity of the previous two months. The market activity is expected to increase at a faster pace in September and October. Overall, the MFIs continued...[more]
Country visit in Armenia - August 2012
Dr. Arman Vardanyan, fund manager of APM´s two micofinance funds, recently visited Armenia to observe the microfinance sector and to meet with investee Microfinance Institution SEF International and their micro-clients. Dr....[more]
Market Commentary July 2012
Vision Microfinance Despite several challenges the microfinance industry currently faces, the outlook for the second semester of 2012 is positive. The average loan portfolio of MFIs in the SYM50 Benchmark has continuously...[more]
Market Watch: Emerging markets aren’t all the same
DENVER (MarketWatch) — Famed bond manager Jeffrey Gundlach, founder of Doubleline Capital, stood on the stage and espoused the importance of the emerging markets. He pointed to their growth and (relative) newfound stability....[more]
CGAP: Does Client Protection Matter to Clients?
What do microfinance clients think about client protection? Do client protection principles really matter to them? In particular, how important are the seven client protection principles (CPPs) that the Smart Campaign has...[more]
Microfinance Insitutions in focus
The microfinance industry has taken big steps forward in the last couple of years to better serve their clients. The Client Protection Principles for microfinance and the accompanying Smart Campaign have been introduced to...[more]