Colombia
Development of Financial Services Offerings for Micro and Small Enterprises
Start date: July 2019
End date: June 2021
Funding partner: Global Affairs Canada
Project description
The goal of this project is to help 3 to 4 financial institutions expand their service offering (financial and non-financial) for women and men entrepreneurs that make up the "missing middle." These are entrepreneurs that require more advanced services than those offered by microfinance institutions but don't meet the criteria of commercial banks.
The project will allow our partners to offer entrepreneurs a customized approach to increase access to financial products and services through professional management and specialized and qualified employees.
Results as of June 30, 2019
- 4 diagnostics were carried out.
- A market study was conducted.
- A diagnostic of the fintech sector was carried out.
- A gender-based analysis was conducted.
Financing MSMEs Through Capital Investment
Supported institution: Crezcamos S.A.
Investment date: August 2012
Total investment: 3.2 million Canadian dollars
Project description
Crezcamos is a microfinance institution that has been operating since 2008. It provides financial services adapted to the needs of Colombian entrepreneurs and their families, particularly those living in rural areas, as well as savings and credit solutions for the agricultural, commercial, service, production and housing sectors. The institution also helps clients plan for the future, including through different kinds of insurance options.
In 2019, Crezcamos acquired Opportunity International Colombia S.A., a microfinance institution and subsidiary of Opportunity International, a non-profit that aims to reduce global poverty.