As experts in microfinance, PlaNet Finance Group meets the needs of microfinance actors by supplying them with a range of services, via independent, specialized entities, aiming at developing an inclusive financial sector for the world.
PlaNet Finance Advisory Services is the Group’s not-for-profit organization that offers wide-ranging expertise to the various actors in the microfinance sector: microfinance institutions (MFI), governments, banks, insurance companies, investment funds, MFI networks and associations, as well as directly to microentrepreneurs within the framework of certain programs.
PlaNet Finance Advisory Services offers a diversified set of services directly related to the Group’s core business. Its technical assistance and advisory service activities are divided into three categories:
- Consulting and technical assistance to microfinance institutions, banks and governments;
- Microfinance Plus, which offers programmes of high-added social value (in particular health, education, the environment) that enhance the provision of financial services;
- Microfinance sectorial support programmes.
Each year, PlaNet Finance Advisory Services manages approximately 100 programs with about 200 microfinance institutions (MFIs), reaching more than 4 million clients.
Planet Rating is a microfinance rating agency and one of the leaders of its sector. Since its creation in 1999, Planet Rating has rated mre than 478 microfinance institutions (MFIs).
Staff: 16 analysts distributed in 6 offices (Paris, Nairobi, Dakar, Lima, Beirut and Manila)
PlaNIS is the entity specialized in providing funding services to microfinance institutions. PlaNIS offers advisory services in debt management and private equity and also advises and structures financial vehicles in microfinance.
Staff: 7 full-time financial analysts
Achievements (at january 2010): 75 MFIs have had access to funding valued at more that USD 156 million
MicroCred Group is an investment holding company specialized in microfinance. MicroCred takes shares in capital in a network of microfinance banks and companies. Today, MicroCred operates in 6 countries: Mexico, Madagascar, China, Senegal, Nigeria and Ivory Coast.
Staff: 750 staff, of whom 95 % are local staff.
Achievements (at december 2009): 6 MFIs in Mexico, Senegal, Madagascar, China, Ivory Coast and Nigeria and 41,800 active customers
Shareholders: PlaNet Finance, IFC, AXA Belgium, Société Générale, AFD, EIB, DWM.
PlaNet Guarantee is a microinsurance company created in 2007, that aims to provide technical assistance to MFIs, banks, insurance, and reinsurance companies in order to develop microinsurance and microguarantee products.
Staff: 7 persons
Achievements (at january 2010): 8 partner MFIs in 7 countries, 10 R&D projects in 12 countries and 130,000 microentrepreneurs insured.
FinanCités is a solidarity venture capital firm serving microentrepreneurs in sensitive suburbs of French cities. FinanCités invests its equity in small and microenterprises to support their development.
Staff: 9 persons
Achievements (at january 2010): 36 microentrepreneurs financed and assisted, EUR 2 millions invested.
Equity subscribed by the shareholders: EUR 4.7 million
Shareholders include: HSBC, CDC, BNP Paribas, Club du XXIème Siècle, Mrs Taittinger, Evens Foundation.
PlaNet University is a knowledge center that aims to provide microfinance training to professionals, students and microentrepreneurs. PlaNet University is developing research projects and partnerships with business schools and universities, and is presently participating in two European projects (UMM and E-learning projects).
Staff: 4
Achievements (at january 2010): 253 training sessions, 772 hours of training, 894 trainees, 18 partner universities, 3 doctorate scholarships granted.
www.formation-microfinance.com