Triodos Launches New Ethical Investment Funds

Green banking specialist Triodos Bank recently launched two new Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) Funds, dubbed the Sustainable Pioneer Fund and the Sustainable Equity Fund. The funds, which will also be available as part of a Triodos Ethical Stocks and Shares ISA, join the bank's existing portfolio of green and ethical cash ISAs and savings accounts, as well as its Microfinance fund for high net worth and sophisticated investors.

Read more: http://www.syminvest.com/news/triodos-launches-new-ethical-investment-funds/2013/4/30/3704?utm_source=Symbiotics+NewsWatch&utm_campaign=c04e9771aa-Symbiotics_NewsWatch_251_3_05_2013&utm_medium=email

Measuring the Impact and Success of Microfinance

Is microfinance an effective tool for bringing people out of poverty? In recent years, David Roodman, keynote speaker at the2013 Penn Microfinance Conference, has put that proposition through a series of rigorous mathematical tests, only to conclude that the yardsticks for measuring the success of the microfinance sector are more complex, subtle and elusive than people realize.

Read more: http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=3235

IFC debt investments in Ujjivan and Equitas Microfinance

IFC is proposing to invest up to $10 million each in Ujjivan Financial Services and Equitas Micro Finance via senior debt through ECB (external commercial borrowing: an instrument used in India to facilitate access to foreign money).

Read more: http://m.dealcurry.com/20130423-IFC-To-Invest-In-Ujjivan-MFI-And-Equitas-MFI-Through-ECB.htm

High Net Worth Investors Not Big On Socially Responsible Investments

According to a newly published report from Spectrem’s Millionaire Corner, social responsibility doesn’t factor into the investment decisions of a large majority of high net worth investors, who say they invest purely to make money.

Read more: http://www.millionairecorner.com/article/high-net-worth-not-big-socially-responsible-investments

Caspian launches Indian Debt Vehicle Focused on Impact Sectors

Grassroots is proud to announce the launch of our partner Caspian’s third fund – Caspian Impact Investments (CII). CII will be an Indian vehicle providing debt capital to impact sectors.

New credit-risk models for the unbanked

Lenders can use big data to create meaningful value for their enterprise, better outcomes for borrowers, and significant social impact.

Read more: http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/Risk_Management/New_credit-risk_models_for_the_unbanked

CGAP Blog: Six To-Dos Now For Responsible Investors

Microfinance investors are now openly discussing responsible investment, including balancing returns and how to reduce risks of market saturation and over-indebtedness, more than ever before. Investors agree it’s time for action. At the mid-year Social Investor Roundtable, convening of the Sangam Group (CEOs of the 10 largest MIVs) and annual Development Finance Institutions (DFI) consultation on responsible finance last month they agreed on a “to-do” list of six concrete actions…

Read more: http://www.cgap.org/blog/six-dos-now-responsible-investors

Welcome to the Grassroots Capital Management News Blog

This is Grassroots Capital Management's new blog.  We're working up our first announcements at the moment.  Come back often to hear what's going on!