www.planetfinance.org
The Microfinance Platform
www.planetfinance.org
The Microfinance Platform
South Asia MFI Information Sheet
MLH/Savoirs/MFI Info Sheet South Asia AN 121202.doc
General Information
Name of the organization (and acronym, if applicable):Name of the organization’s director: / q Mr.
q Ms.
Director’s job title:
Mailing address for the organization:
Country:
Telephone number:
Fax number:
Location of principal internet access: / q At the office
q At home
q At a training or information center
q At a cyber café
q No access
Ease/speed of principle internet access: / q Acceptable (can download files)
q Slow/difficult (prefer not to download files)
Does your organization have a website? If so, what is the address? / http://………………………………………………………..
Primary Contact Person
Name of primary contact person: / q Mr.q Ms.
Job title:
E-mail address: / ………………………..@…………………………………
Institutional Information
Date organization was created:
Organizational structure (choose one): / q Regulated Credit Institution
q Credit Mutual or Cooperative
q Microcredit component of an organization
q Self Help Group
q Network of SHGs
q Other (please specify)………………………
Legal status (association, NGO, corporation, . . .)
Is the institution a member of any microfinance network(s)? If so, which?
Date organization began microfinance activities:
Services offered to clients: / q Microloans
q Savings
q Micro-insurance
q Other (please specify)………………………
Type of clients: / q Artisans
q Farmers
q Merchants/Traders
q Other
Poverty level of clients: / …….% of clients living on less than US$1 per day
…….% of clients living on less than US$2 per day
Gender of clients: / …….% Women …….% Men
Current number of active borrowers: / Total outstanding loan portfolio:
Current number of active depositors: / Total outstanding deposits:
Current number of all active clients: / Cumulative no. of clients since creation
Membership Form for the Microfinance Platform
MLH/Savoirs/Membership Application AN 121202.doc
Name of the institution:…………………………….…………………………………………………………...
The institution wishes to become a Professional Member of PlaNet Finance for the following reason(s)…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
What are the needs of your institution?
Technology:
We need to upgrade our computer equipment.
We want a website created by PlaNet Finance.
We want our website listed on the microfinance portal, PlaNet Ring.
Capacity Building:
We want to be informed about innovations in microfinance, to have access to thematic studies and to receive newsletters.
We want to receive training in microfinance and in new technologies, such as the internet.
We want to learn more about PlaNet Finance’s IKM studies on market demand, client satisfaction and impact.
Rating:
We are interested in being evaluated.
Financing:
We are interested in applying for a loan from PlaNet Finance’s Revolving Credit Fund.
The enclosure of an official accreditation or registration certificate or an equivalent document is compulsory. If available, please attach a short presentation (brochure, note, etc.) of your institution, describing its history, goals and achievements.
There is no membership fee.
The institution acknowledges that it has read PlaNet Finance’s Statutes and Rules of Procedure, in particular the membership conditions and the responsibilities and rights of the members, and that it has signed the Code of Ethics that govern the life and the principles of PlaNet Finance. The institution commits itself to respect these documents, and principles.
Completed in (city)………………, on ……/……/…….
Signature of the legal representative of the Institution:
This Membership Form, the MFI Information Sheet, Code of Ethics and the above-mentioned accreditation or certificate must be returned
duly completed and signed
either BY FAX: + 33.1.53.24.11.57, attention Platform or
BY POST: PlaNet Finance Platform, 76 rue du Faubourg Saint Denis 75010 Paris France
Extracts from the Statutes and Rules of Procedure
Ref: SG/Platform/Extracts from the statutes and rules of procedure AN 121202.doc
76 rue du Faubourg Saint Denis 75 010 Paris France
Tel 33 (0) 1 53 24 31 31 Fax 33 (0) 1 53 24 11 57
PlaNet Finance is an international non-governmental (NGO) and non-profit organization dedicated to the eradication of poverty. To this end, PlaNet Finance helps micro-finance institutions (“banks of the poor”), which provide small loans to women and men living in extreme poverty. Such loans enable these individuals to build their own small businesses and achieve financial autonomy, thereby improving their quality of life by giving them the means to provide for the education and health of their families and the lives of others since, more often than not, the recipients of those loans create a few jobs when their small business expands.
PlaNet Finance’s mission is to enhance the professionalism and the sources of capital of the micro-finance sector. PlaNet Finance has organized its efforts towards four main objectives:
§ Reduce the digital divide by connecting MFIs to the rest of the world with computers and IT training,
§ Transfer knowledge and build capacity between micro-finance practitioners, by providing training through an online university dedicated to micro-credit and information technology tools (knowledge management system, credit bureau),
§ Increase transparency by assessing the financial performance of MFIs with PlaNet Finance’s GIRAFE rating methodology - readily usable by banks, investment funds and other multilateral institutions seeking to finance MFIs,
§ Increase funding dedicated to MFIs and micro-entrepreneurs via PlaNet Finance’s Revolving Credit Fund.
Founded in 1998 in Paris (France), PlaNet Finance is an international initiative which uses Information Technology and the Internet for the development of micro-finance worldwide. In less than four years, PlaNet Finance has developed an international network with offices in the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Italy. In addition, PlaNet Finance has set up an office in the United States and is implementing permanent programs in West Africa (Benin), South Asia (India), China, Morocco and Brazil.
International Advisory Board
Presidents
Muhammad Yunus Founder and Managing Director of the Grameen Bank, Bangladesh
Abdou Diouf Former President of the Republic of Senegal
Members
Edouard Balladur Former French Prime Minister, Paris
H.E. Yusuf Bin Alawi Abdullah Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sultanate of Oman, Muscali
Boutros Boutros-Ghali General Secretary of the International Organisation of Francophonie, Paris
Michel David-Weill Senior Partner of Lazard Frères & Co., New York
Jacques Delors Former President of the European Commission, Paris
Jean-François Dehecq Chairman and CEO of Sanofi-Synthélabo, Paris
Marcel Desailly Captain of the French National Soccer Team, London
Charles R. Eisendrath Director, Michigan Journalism Fellows The Livingston Awards, Chicago
Pehr Gyllenhammar Chairman of CGNU, London
Paul Hermelin Executive Board Vice Chairman of Cap Gemini, Paris
Bill Joy Founder and Chief Scientist of Sun Microsystems, Aspen
Jean-Marie Messier Chaiman and CEO of Vivendi Universal, New York City
Kimanthi Mutua Managing Director of K-REP Bank Ltd, Nairobi
Shimon Peres Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Jerusalem
Massimo Ponzellini Vice President of the European Investment Bank, Luxembourg
Didier Quillot Chief Executive Officer, Orange France, Paris
Michel Rocard Former French Prime Minister - European Deputy, Strasbourg
Shashi Tharoor Director of Communications and Special Projects, United Nations
Elie Wiesel Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, New York City
George Yong Boon Yeo Minister of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Singapore
Board of Directors
President
Jacques Attali
Vice-President
Gilles Johanet Senior Executive at the National Accounting Office
in Paris
Members
Alain Blanc-Brude General Managing Partner, Alpha Development, Paris
Yaron Bruckner President of Eastbridge NV, Brussels
Aldo Cardoso President of Arthur Andersen, Paris
Hervé de Carmoy Managing Director, Rhône Group, New York
Patrick Combes Chairman of Viel & Compagnie, Paris
Bernard Herman CEO of DEXIA Asset Management, Luxembourg
Fred Hessabi Vice-President of Siebel Systems, EMEA, Paris
Bernard Kouchner French Health Minister
Bertrand Lavayssière Director of the Finance Division, Cap Gemini, Paris
Maurice Lévy Chairman and CEO, Publicis, Paris
Francis Mayer Vice President of the European Investment Bank, Luxembourg
Jean Saint-Geours Inspector of Public Affairs, Finance Ministry, Paris
Luc-François Salvador Delegate Director, Cap Gemini France, Paris
Jacques Stern Honorary President of Bull Group , Paris
René Thomas Honorary President of BNP-Paribas Group, Paris
Arnaud Ventura Managing Director of PlaNet Finance, Paris
All members take part in the activities of PlaNet Finance in a private Capacity
Statute extracts 4
Rules of procedure 8
Section I
Statute extracts
Article 2 – Object
The goal of the Association is to eradicate poverty and social exclusion, as well as to valorize the poorest people in the world, particularly in the most deprived countries.
The Association will use the experiences and accomplishments of local financial associations across the world whose goal is to give short-term credit to the most deprived in order to help them join or rejoin the social fabric (“microfinance”).
The Association will actively participate in the promotion of “microfinance”, by supporting all initiatives of financial professionals that would like to aid and develop this sector.
The Association will finance and realize all or part of the studies that aim to create the tools able to accelerate the development of “microfinance,” such as the creation and commercialization of funds dedicated to “microfinance” and the creation of a specialized rating agency.
The Association will have an active role in introducing community, regional, national and international institutions to the “microfinance” phenomenon. The Association will work alongside non-governmental organizations, non-profits groups, and press agencies, as well as directly in coordination with citizens around the world.
The Association will use all of the potentials of the Internet and the new technology of communication to promote its actions.
The administrative function of the Association will be seen in:
- The organization of seminars and conferences
- The publication of information
- Exchanges with universities and philanthropist foundations
All of these will focus on the understanding and consolidation of “microfinance” experiences.
The Association will serve as an interface between market professionals and “microfinance” actors, helping to create concrete accomplishments and making them known.
The Association may be linked with other institutions, groups, foundations, corporations, and people that pursue the same objectives.
The Association may possess real estate, transferable goods and financial assets for the accomplishment of its social objective and for its own administration. It may also pursue courses, take actions, and make transactions without limit, in view of the realization of its social mission.
Article 3 – Duration
The duration of the Association is indefinite.
Article 4 – Headquarters
The Headquarters of the Association are based at 76, rue de Faubourg Saint-Denis, 75010 Paris
It may be relocated within the same Department by a decision of the Council.
Article 5 – Members
Only people who willingly share their knowledge and activities with the goal described in article 2 may become members of the Association.
Article 6 – Membership
All written demands for membership to the present Association are submitted to the Council who will rule on the admission without having to justify its decision, whatever it may be.
Article 7 – Loss of Membership
Member status will be lost:
- By a demission addressed to the President of the Association
- For a natural person, by death or loss of his/her civil rights
- For a legal entity, by a judiciary correction or dissolution, whatever the reason
- For nonpayment of the subscription fee, if it has gone unpaid for more than two months after the required date
- By exclusion on any grounds that the Council may consider serious, after the concerned party has been invited by registered letter to furnish written explanations
Article 9 – Council
The Association is managed by a Council composed of a maximum of 12 ex-officio members and five members elected by the General Assembly among the members of the Association fulfilling the following conditions:
- If it is a natural person: cannot be a minor, must be in possession of his/her civil rights, must not be placed under judicial safeguard or guardianship
- If it is a legal body: cannot be placed under judiciary correction or dissolution, whatever the cause
- Has not already served a leadership position in more than three associations
Three groups of members are present on the Council:
- Founding and ex-officio members (15 representatives on the Council)
- Professional members (5 representatives on the Council)
- Donor members and adherents (2 representatives on the Council)
Any Council member no longer fulfilling one of these conditions is removed from office.
Article 15 – General Assembly: Composition and Power
The General Assembly is composed of all of the members of the Association who are up to date with their subscriptions, if one is has been previously required, on the date of the convocation of the aforementioned assembly.
The Council alone is responsible for:
- Naming, renewing, and revoking the five members of the Council
- Modifying the statutes, except for transferring headquarters, and pronouncing the dissolution of the Association
- Controlling the management of the President
Extracts from the Rules of procedure
7.1.2 Professional members group
Professional members
Professional members are those members participating in microfinance activities who may benefit from the services of PlaNet Finance, according to the specific modalities described in article 7.6.
They are exempted from the subscription and initiation fees.
7.2 Agreement Procedure
All members of the Association, whatever his/her category, must be previously agreed upon by the Council.
At the time of each of its meetings, the Council renders decision on the admission requests presented.
Adherent members and professional members
The adherent and professional members are agreed upon by a two-thirds majority decision of the Council.
7.4 Power of decision
From his/her admission by the Administrative Council, the member of the PlaNet Finance Association has the right to vote at the General Assembly and may elect the representatives of its group to the Administrative Council of PlaNet Finance.
7.5 Publicity
PlaNet Finance will reference professional, donor and honorary members in its external documents and on its website (www.planetfinance.org), as “PlaNet Finance Member,” with the possibility of creating a hyperlink to the website of each member.
These members will be requested to name PlaNet Finance in different official documents: annual reports, press releases, and websites.