ProCredit Holding, Germany
«Microfinance institution building and financial sector development»

ProCredit Holding (formerly IMI) was founded five years ago, as an investment company focused on acquiring equity participations in microfinance banks in transition and developing countries.
ProCredit makes a long-term commitment to each institution in which it invests. It plays the role of a strategic investor, actively guiding the development of the institution, taking responsibility at the corporate governance level, and, over the medium term, offering other shareholders an exit option.
Most of the institutions in which ProCredit is a shareholder are so-called greenfield banks. They were founded together with other investors, who are often also ProCredit shareholders. The institutions share a similar governance structure, and they receive expert advice and management services from IPC, a specialised consulting firm.
Together, these factors ensure that a largely standardised, proven approach is taken to build these institutions. The necessary learning takes place not only in individual institutions, but within an entire network.