About PlaNet Finance

Mission

PlaNet Finance is a leading international solidarity organisation with the mission to alleviate poverty through the development of microfinance, therefore increasing the unbanked and under-banked’s access to financial services.

Since its beginning in 1998, PlaNet Finance has developed into a group of organizations (PlaNet Finance Group) providing a diverse set of services. PlaNet Finance brings together over 1,500 staff.

Along with its team of 110 experts, PlaNet Finance offers a full set of services to 200 microfinance institutions. The organization is supported by renowned public donors such as the World Bank, the European Commission or AFD, and also by many foundations (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Orange Foundation, Citigroup Foundation, etc.).

Based in Paris, PlaNet Finance's international network conducts activities in close to 80 countries around the world.

PlaNet Finance

The idea behind PlaNet Finance was first formulated in 1997 under the name of PlaNet Bank.

In 1997, Jacques Attali was invited to address a seminar at the Aspen Institute where he put forward a simple idea: the creation of a virtual bank, named PlaNet Bank, which would serve to refinance Microfinance Institutions. (See speech by Jacques Attali at the Aspen Institute).

At the same time, Arnaud Ventura contacted Jacques Attali to present his NGO-NET project, a not-for-profit organisation whose objective was to use the internet and new information and communications technologies to reinforce the capacities of NGOs in different sectors (among them health, education, and microfinance). Jacques Attali suggested that Arnaud Ventura draft a first version of a business plan for PlaNet Bank, and outline the services the organisation would offer.

In February 1998, Jacques Attali presented the project to Michel Rocard, Muhammad Yunus and Massimo Ponzellini, who supported the idea and were asked to join the future governing body of the organisation.

A pilot programme was set up in East Africa in May 1998. Managed by Arnaud Ventura, the programme’s’s objective was to gain a better understanding of the needs of microfinance institutions. The programme, and the results of the work carried out by the numerous specialists who participated in the project, led to the founding of PlaNet Finance on the 13th of October 1998, under the French legal status “Loi 1901” (not-for-profit organization).

Since its inception, PlaNet Finance has received backing from the private sector. . Among the first donors were DEXIA, Cap Gemini, Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (via the Fonds Francophone des Inforoutes), the World Bank (via InfoDev) and two private donors. These private funds were complemented by funding provided by international financial institutions.

Since it was founded, PlaNet Finance has continued to expand its operations and build on its experience with the aim of serving the growing number of actors in the microfinance sector and, consequently, to contribute to the development of microfinance around the world. It has developed into a group that brings together a foundation, an NGO, and socially responsible businesses.

PlaNet Finance Group

At the crossroads of economic and social concerns, the PlaNet Finance Group hasdeveloped an original organisational model that integrates social impact and economic efficiency.

Through its different units, PlaNet Finance serves simultaneously microfinance institutions, public and private institutions, and the general public. The Group allows each one to play a role in the development of microfinance and in the access to financial services.

Founded on a long-term vision, PlaNet Finance and its partners have the ambition of developing a fairer world by offering, to those who are excluded, access to the means to develop their businesses, and to save orbuy insurance in order to protect themselves from life’s uncertainties.

The group gathers the following entities:

PlaNet Finance – Technical assistance and advisory to microfinance actors

PlaNet Finance , the oldest entity of the group, is a 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 programmes.

PlaNet Finance 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 social value (in particular health, education, and the environment) that enhance the provision of financial services;
• Microfinance sectoral support programmes.

Each year, PlaNet Finance manages approximately 100 programs with about 200 microfinance institutions (MFIs), reaching more than 4 million clients.

www.planetfinance.org

PlaNet Finance Foundation

Thanks to the donations of its sponsors, PlaNet Finance Foundation finances field-based microfinance programs and activities, which often jointly support initiatives concerning environment, health, education and training.

Created in March 2010 under the aegis of the Fondation de France, PlaNet Finance Foundation’s aim is to invest in innovative programmes set up and managed by PlaNet Finance and its partners to develop entrepreneurship and thereby fight against poverty.

These programs use microfinance as a mechanism to increase the economic opportunities for microentrepreneurs, while acting on other sectors such as environment, health, and education. They are intended to offer a set of non-financial services that are necessary for the development of the microentrepreneurs.

The Foundation relies on PlaNet ‘s international network, its technical partners and scientific committees, to ensure the projects’ relevance, and their social and economic impacts.

www.planetfinance-foundation.org

PlaNet University – Microfinance Knowledge Centre

PlaNet University is a knowledge centre aiming to provide microfinance training to professionals, students, and microentrepreneurs. PlaNet University develops research projects and partnerships with business schools and universities, and is presently participating in two European projects: University Meets Microfinance and an e-E-learning project.

Achievements (as of Q3 2010): 257 training sessions, 796 training hours, 933 trainees, 19 partner universities, and 3 doctorate scholarships granted.

www.planetuniversity.eu

PlaNIS – Microfinance Fund Advisor

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 microfinance investment vehicles.

Achievements (as of Q3 2010): 71 MFIs have had access to funding valued at more that EUR 165.5 million.

www.responsability.com

PlaNet Guarantee - Microinsurance Expert

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 : 5 employees at the Head Office and 6 on the field.

Achievements (as of Q3 2010): 14 partner MFIs in 9 countries, 9 R&D projects in 12 countries and 188,990 microentrepreneurs insured.

www.planetguarantee.com

FinanCités – Equity Subscribed Company

FinanCités is a venture capital company that serves microentrepreneurs from sensitive urban neighbourhoods in France and from the social business sector. FinanCités provides equity funds as well as long-term financing and coaching. FinanCités contributes to the development and sustainability of the businesses it finances.

Staff: 8 persons

Achievements (as of Q3 2010): 39 microentrepreneurs financed and assisted, EUR 2,026 millions invested.

Equity subscribed by the shareholders: EUR 4.5 million

Shareholders include: Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations, Région Ile-de-France, HSBC, BNP Paribas

The Finansol label guarantees transparency and solidarity of the FinanCités Fund.

www.financites.fr

Planet Rating – Microfinance Rating Agency

Planet Rating is a microfinance rating agency and one of the leaders in its sector. Since its creation in 1999, Planet Rating has rated more than 512 microfinance institutions (MFIs).

Staff : 17 analysts distributed in 6 offices: Paris, Nairobi, Dakar, Lima, Beyrouth and Manilla.

Achievements (as of Q3 2010): 550 ratings since 1999

360 MFIs rated in 75 countries

www.planetrating.com

MicroCred – Microfinance Investment Holding Company

MicroCred Group is an investment holding company specialised in microfinance. MicroCred holds share capital in a network of microfinance banks and companies. Today, MicroCred operates in 5 countries: Madagascar, China, Senegal, Nigeria and the Ivory Coast.

Staff: 641 staff, of whom 95% are local staff

Achievements (as of october 2010): 67,000 active customers

Shareholders: PlaNet Finance, AXA, IFC, EIB, AFD, DWM, and Société Générale.

www.microcredgroup.com