Blog Archives

Does Microfinance Reduce Poverty? Grameen Hosts a Chicago Event

On Monday at the Chase Auditorium in Chicago, Grameen Foundation hosted a lunchtime discussion called, “Does microfinance reduce poverty? A dialogue on the social impact of microfinance as a development tool.” This event aimed to answer this challenge: microcredit has been successful in increasing access to capital by the poor but does it actually reduce poverty Read more…

Posted in Events, Loans, Our Work, Women's Opportunity Network
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

SEEP Conference: “Our Best Thoughts Come from Others”

The following post was originally published on the USAID‘s new Microlinks blog on Monday, Nov. 1, 2010. It was written by Eric Meyer, Opportunity’s agricultural finance manager, who is guest blogging about the 2010 Annual SEEP Conference in Arlington, Va. this week  for Microlinks. Click here to see the original post. Ralph Waldo Emerson once quipped that Read more…

Posted in Events, Loans, Our Work, Rural Outreach, Strategic Partners, What We're Reading, Where We Work
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Our Insight Trip to Meet the Microfinance Clients of Colombia

This guest post was written by Insight Trip traveler and Opportunity supporter Westina Matthews Shatteen, Ph.D., a fellow at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University. She traveled Oct. 5-7 to see the impact of Opportunity’s work in Cartagena, Colombia: Our travelers gathered with Trust Group loan officers in their office to begin the day with Read more…

Posted in Faith in Action, Insight Trips, Loans, Local Staffing, Our Motivation, Our Work, Trust Groups, Where We Work
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Program Update: Opportunity Launching Microfinance Bank to Reach More Families in Colombia

In Colombia, Opportunity is creating a finance company that will offer loans, savings, insurance and training to entrepreneurs living in poverty. Opportunity’s three Colombian-based microfinance institutions are being consolidated to form Opportunity Colombia. Opportunity is preparing to submit a banking license application to Colombia’s Financial Superintendency. The consolidation will give nearly 20,000 families access to Read more…

Posted in Bank Building, Insight Trips, Loans, Microinsurance, Our Work, Savings, Training, Where We Work
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What We’re Reading: Putting Savings in the Bank in the Era of Climate Change

Every Wednesday, we highlight an article, book or a blog in our “What We’re Reading” series. We feature works that are noteworthy, inspiring, educational or relevant to the work we do at Opportunity. We welcome your comments in the comment field below–tell us what you’re reading, or respond to the piece we’ve highlighted. The following Read more…

Posted in Loans, Local Staffing, Our Work, Savings, Technology, Uncategorized, What We're Reading, Where We Work, Women's Opportunity Network
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What We’re Reading: “Investing in Women & Girls” (MediaPlanet supplement, USA Today)

 Every Wednesday on our blog, we highlight an article, book or a blog in our “What We’re Reading” series. We’ll feature pieces or works that are noteworthy, inspiring, educational or relevant to the work we do at Opportunity. We welcome your comments in the comment field below–tell us what you’re reading, or respond to the Read more…

Posted in Our Work, Strategic Partners, What We're Reading, Women's Opportunity Network
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

3 Breakout Sessions Not to Miss at Fall Microfinance Conference

At Opportunity’s Fall Microfinance Conference, Oct. 8-9, in Washington, D.C., the days will be packed with breakout sessions and presentations from microfinance experts, international visitors and globally-minded individuals passionate about eradicating poverty. For me, this will be my first Opportunity microfinance conference[/intlink], and I’m really looking forward to hearing from guest speakers[/intlink] like Pulitzer Prize-winner Sheryl Read more…

Posted in Board of Governors, Events, Our Work, Rural Outreach, Strategic Partners, Technology
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

News from Africa: New Mobile Banks and Bank Branches for Microfinance Clients in Mozambique

Great news from Mozambique! Banco Oportunidade de Moçambique is proud to announce the August opening of the Chokwé branch and Chimoio mobile bank.  Additionally, Opportunity Mozambique[/intlink] expanded in 2010 with two new hub branch offices, and received approval from both the municipal and Central Bank authorities to open its first container branch office in the Matendene Market. Read more…

Posted in Bank Building, Loans, Our Work, Rural Outreach, Strategic Partners, Where We Work
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Innovations in Technology–Reaching More Clients

Daryl Skoog, Opportunity’s SVP of technology, develops innovations that improve the lives of our clients. Recently, I had the chance to join a conference call with the Colorado-based Skoog to learn about the exciting strategies and products he’s working on. Some highlights from the call: Cell phone banking[/intlink] is one of the most exciting tools to bring Read more…

Posted in Bank Building, Our Work, Rural Outreach, Technology, Where We Work
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What We’re Reading: World Finance Magazine Discusses Opportunity’s Agricultural Finance Program

Amosi Kasamira’s face lights up as he shares his plans for the next season. ‘My vision is to replace the grass roof of our home to better protect us from the sun and rain,’ he explains, ‘and I intend to cultivate ten acres next season.’ –Excerpted from: ‘There is Still a Lot of Work Ahead,’ World Read more…

Posted in Loans, Microinsurance, Our Work, Rural Outreach, Savings, Training, What We're Reading, Where We Work
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,