Crédit Agricole's Solidarity Bankers: a great success for this impactful scheme

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By Carolina Viguet, Director of Communication & Partnerships, FGCA

Three years after its launch, the success of the Solidarity Bankers program confirms the commitment of employees and the Group's desire to support projects with social impact. Since 2018, the program has launched 28 missions in some fifteen countries for 19 organizations supported by the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation. This represents 316 days of missions planned or completed by 34 Solidarity Bankers.

An impact project with the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation

Launched by the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation and Crédit Agricole SA in 2018, Solidarity Bankers is a skills-based volunteer program open to all Crédit Agricole Group employees in support of microfinance institutions and impact businesses supported by the Foundation.

The "Solidarity Bankers" program has a twofold objective: it enhances the skills of Crédit Agricole Group employees and provides additional support to microfinance institutions and corporate partners of the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation. This is the first time that a partnership of this type has been launched by the Crédit Agricole Group.

Senegal, Morocco, Cambodia… a great success

Some emblematic missions of the program:

  • With the support of Crédit Agricole de Franche-Comté, a Solidarity Banker spent two years helping La Laiterie structure the dairy sector in Senegal. Another Solidarity Banker from Crédit Agricole CIB spent two weeks supporting KOSSAM SDE, a subsidiary of La Laiterie, in the deployment of a digital application. Other missions for La Laiterie are planned for 2022.
  • A Crédit Agricole SA Solidarity Banker carried out a mission in cooperation with Crédit du Maroc to improve the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML-CFT) systems of the Al Karama Foundation, which grants microcredits to low-income people in Morocco.
  • In Cambodia, a Solidarity Banker spent two weeks, with the support of Crédit Agricole Val de France, to assist Cirque Phare (PPSE), a social enterprise that promotes social inclusion and youth empowerment through Cambodian culture and arts, in its financial management and organizational structure.

"This experience undoubtedly exceeded my expectations, both in terms of the mission carried out and on a human level." Olivier Mancini, Head of Recovery at Crédit Agricole du Languedoc, who carried out a mission for OXUS in Tajikistan in September 2021. Discover his testimony here.

"I especially remember the warm welcome and the wonderful encounters." Andreas Brunner, Internal Audit Supervisor at Crédit Agricole Assurances, who carried out a mission for OXUS in Kyrgyzstan in October 2021. Discover his testimony here.

Missions to be filled

Some missions are still available and others are being scheduled for 2022:

  • “LCB-FT” mission in favor of SEF in South Africa
  • “Digital Strategy” Mission for OXUS in Kyrgyzstan
  • “LCB-FT” mission in favor of Bimas in Kenya

With this initiative, the Crédit Agricole group is strengthening its Societal Project alongside the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation in favor of more inclusive finance.

You will find more information on the missions here.

To apply, send your CV and a cover paragraph to Carolina Viguet: carolina.viguet@credit-agricole-sa.fr

 

The Foundation's latest funding in Europe and Central Asia

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© Didier Gentilhomme

In the second half of 2021, the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation granted new financing in Europe and Central Asia, including one with Furuz, a new partner in Tajikistan. As of the end of December 2021, the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation had 81 partners in 37 countries and manages a portfolio of €82 million, including €461 million in fragile countries.

In Moldova, the Foundation granted a new loan to the microfinance institution Smart Credit for an amount equivalent to 580,000 euros. Smart Credit is a microfinance institution created in 2010 to help clients improve their living conditions, particularly among socially disadvantaged small entrepreneurs. The institution offers loans according to the individual methodology. To date, Smart Credit has 3,253 clients, including 54% women and 69% clients in rural areas.

The Foundation also granted two new loans to Lazika in Georgia for a total amount equivalent to 1.4 million euros. Lazika is a microfinance institution established in 2000 by Oxfam Great Britain. Its mission is to facilitate access to financial services tailored to the needs of low- and middle-income entrepreneurs. Currently, Lazika has nearly 15,000 clients, of which 49% are women and 69% live in rural areas.

In Kazakhstan, the Foundation also granted new funding to Asian Credit Fund (ACF) for an amount in local currency equivalent to 1 million euros. ACF is a microfinance institution established in 1997 whose mission is to provide financial and development products and services to the poorest households in Kazakhstan. ACF's financial services are designed to promote rural household development, small business growth, and home ownership. The institution has nearly 27,000 clients living in 93% rural areas, 70% of whom are women.

In Tajikistan, the Foundation has granted initial funding to Furuz, a new partner, for an amount in local currency equivalent to 500,000 euros. Furuz is a microfinance institution that began its activities in 1999 as part of the microenterprise development program of the NGO Millennium Relief and Development Services. The institution offers financial services to small businesses. Furuz has more than 5,000 clients, including 30% women and 81% clients in rural areas.

To learn more, Click here.

The Foundation grants 7 new funding projects in Sub-Saharan Africa

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© Didier Gentilhomme

During the second half of 2021, the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation granted seven new financings in sub-Saharan Africa. To date, the Foundation manages a portfolio of €83 million, including €341 million in sub-Saharan Africa.

In Kenya, the Foundation has granted a new loan to the microfinance institution Bimas for an amount in local currency equivalent to 800,000 euros. Bimas is a microfinance institution whose mission is to offer innovative financial and non-financial services to people living in rural areas. Bimas has nearly 18,400 clients, including 59% women and 86% rural clients. The Foundation also granted a new loan to ECLOF Kenya for an amount in local currency equivalent to 1.2 million euros. ECLOF Kenya is a microfinance institution whose mission is to enable clients to realize their projects by offering financial and related non-financial services. To date, the institution has more than 38,000 clients, including 63% women.

In Benin, the Foundation granted a new loan to the microfinance institution Renaca for an amount in local currency equivalent to 1.5 million euros. Renaca is a microfinance institution that seeks to strengthen the economic base of vulnerable rural, peri-urban, and urban populations. The institution has nearly 41,000 clients living in rural areas, 571 of whom are women.

In Burkina Faso, the Foundation also granted a new loan to the microfinance institution ACEP Burkina for an amount in local currency equivalent to 2 million euros. ACEP Burkina is a microfinance institution that offers financial services to people excluded from the traditional banking sector. ACEP Burkina primarily targets micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (VSEs and SMEs) in urban and peri-urban areas. It finances nearly 18,000 clients, including 211 women, and operates exclusively in urban areas.

In Cameroon, the Foundation granted a loan to another institution of the ACEP network, ACEP Cameroon, for an amount in local currency equivalent to 2 million euros. ACEP Cameroon is a microfinance institution whose mission is to support the development of Very Small Enterprises (VSEs) in the country's urban centers. To date, the institution has approximately 15,000 clients, including 341VSEs of women and 281VSEs in rural areas.

In Uganda, VisionFund Uganda received a loan equivalent to €400,000. VisionFund Uganda is a microfinance institution, a subsidiary of World Vision. The institution operates nationwide in Uganda with 23 branches. VisionFund expanded its reach into the West Nile region to serve refugees and their host communities as part of a pilot project developed by the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation. Today, the institution has nearly 45,000 clients, 951 in rural areas and 591 women.

Finally, the Foundation granted a new loan to the microfinance institution LAPO, in Sierra Leone, for an amount equivalent to 600,000 euros. The institution mainly grants microcredits to women in disadvantaged areas. Today, LAPO is one of the largest institutions in the country, covering 80% of the national territory. It has nearly 23,000 clients, including 93% women and 84% clients in rural areas.

To learn more, Click here.

Oxus Kyrgyzstan, beneficiary of the Solidarity Bankers program

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Solidarity Bankers is a skills volunteering program launched by the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation and Crédit Agricole SA in 2018 with a dual objective: on the one hand, to support microfinance institutions and social impact businesses financed by the Foundation with technical assistance, and on the other hand, to promote the skills of Group employees who wish to get involved in projects with a strong social impact.

OXUS Kyrgyzstan is a microcredit institution that provides financial services to the working poor and underbanked in Kyrgyzstan. Andreas Brunner, Internal Audit Supervisor at Crédit Agricole Assurances, assisted the institution in developing an annual marketing plan.

A look back at the program with an interview with Denis Khomyakov, CEO of OXUS Kyrgyzstan.

  • Presentation: Can you present your microfinance institution? (Key figures, mission, approach, clients, structure, etc.)

The company was established in 2006 by the OXUS Group and the NGO ACTED (major shareholder). Our institution's mission is to be a transparent and accountable company committed to providing financial services to the working poor and underbanked in Kyrgyzstan. The company is located in 5 of Kyrgyzstan's 7 regions, has 15 branches, and 135 employees. We currently have approximately 9,500 clients, with an outstanding loan portfolio of 800 million KGS (9.4 million USD). 50% of OXUS' clients are women, and 63% come from rural areas.

  • You benefited from the Solidarity Bankers program in 2021 to develop a marketing plan and create a customer loyalty program. Why was this important for your institution?

A well-designed and functional loyalty program will increase customer retention rates while attracting new customers. The marketing plan should enable the company to more efficiently structure the resources allocated to marketing activities. These two deliverables from the Solidarity Bankers mission will allow us to better promote OXUS Kyrgyzstan's offering.

  • How did you prepare for the mission before the arrival of the Solidarity Banker?

We spent a lot of time prioritizing the points we wanted to address with the Solidarity Banker. We prepared extensive documentation on the company, its clients, its activities, its current operations, and a list of people involved in future projects. We also had a lot of discussions with Andreas to define what we wanted to do in terms of marketing. The preparation phase was crucial to the success of the mission..

  • What did you expect from the Solidarity Banker? Did the results meet your expectations?

I expected a consulting mission with certain documents as deliverables. What we received: detailed training from a marketing specialist! Andreas, the Solidarity Banker, conducted interviews and trained everyone involved in the marketing process (from loan officers and branch managers to the CFO and COO)! The result is fantastic, and we are now using the documents created with Andreas. These documents are completely tailored to our reality. The mission was excellent and exceeded our expectations.

  • What were the priorities defined following the recommendations made?

The priority is to refine and implement the 2022 marketing plan. Work on the loyalty program is also underway, but this presupposes the implementation of the 2022 marketing plan. We look forward to implementing both projects.

Field mission of the Foundation's administrators in Bosnia

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From November 23rd to 27th, the directors of the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation participated in a field mission to Bosnia, during which they met with the microfinance institutions it supports and their clients. Present in Bosnia since 2018, the Foundation has funded three partners working primarily in rural areas and whose clients include a high percentage of women: Partner, My Bospo And Mikra.

During the mission, the Foundation's directors were able to interact with partner institutions and learn more about the microfinance sector in Bosnia, a country still deeply affected by the 1992-1995 war. They also met with clients of these institutions who, thanks to the microloans obtained, are developing income-generating activities and improving their living conditions. These discussions highlighted the important role microfinance plays in the development of microentrepreneurship in Bosnia.

In addition to meeting with the Foundation's partners, this field mission to Bosnia also provided the directors with an opportunity to reflect on the Foundation's positioning and the thematic areas of the next 2022-2025 strategic plan. This reflection will continue over the coming months with the Foundation's teams and other stakeholders.

Discover video testimonials Raphaël Appert, President of the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation and Vice-President of Crédit Agricole SA, and Bernard Lepot, President of the Foundation's Investment Committee, on this field mission.

Discover the Foundation's latest Newsletter

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The Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation is publishing its Newsletter No. 40, which highlights its commitments to its partners and the impact of its actions on the ground in the context of the health crisis. In this Newsletter, the Foundation presents the results of the 7th survey of the series conducted with ADA and Inpulse to monitor and analyze the effects of the Covid-19 crisis on partner microfinance institutions around the world.

You will discover the testimony of Olivier Mancini, Solidarity Banker of the Caisse régionale Crédit Agricole Languedoc, who went to Tajikistan to support the microfinance institution OXUS TajikistanLaunched by the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation and Crédit Agricole SA in 2018, Banquiers Solidaires is a skills volunteering program open to all Crédit Agricole Group employees in support of microfinance institutions and impact businesses supported by the Foundation.

Also discover the results of the Foundation's support for the microfinance institution RENACA in Benin, which benefited from support to strengthen its actions in inclusive green finance.

Download the Newsletter

The Foundation is committed to small agricultural businesses

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© Godong

The Council on Smallholder Agricultural Finance (CSAF) is the leading global network of social financiers promoting an inclusive financial market for producer organizations and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in agriculture. Since 2013, CSAF's 16 members and affiliates have provided $5 billion in loans to agricultural SMEs, providing market access to 3.4 million smallholder farmers in 65 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

After being accepted as a CSAF affiliate in June 2020, the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation is continuing its commitment in 2021 by participating in the construction of a memorandum of understanding to specify the principles and protocols for restructuring and rehabilitating loans.

The need for a memorandum of understanding

Increased cooperation among CSAF members has generated positive collaboration among lenders, resulting in additional funding and technical assistance for borrowers. In some cases, however, there has been a lack of coordination, resulting in suboptimal outcomes for both lenders and borrowers. The Covid-19 crisis has heightened the need for clearly stated principles on loan restructuring.

Collective work

CSAF members held several workshops in March 2021 to develop and articulate explicit expectations for loan restructuring. Following these workshops, a working group was established to develop basic principles, outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding, for members to follow during loan restructurings. The Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation contributed to this reflection and the Commitment “Key Principles to Protect Microfinance Institutions and Their Clients in the Covid-19 Crisis” was a useful resource.

 

Download the memorandum of understanding here.

Mission diary of a Solidarity Banker in Kyrgyzstan

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Launched by the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation and Crédit Agricole SA in 2018, Solidarity Bankers is a skills-based volunteer program open to all Crédit Agricole Group employees, supporting microfinance institutions and impact businesses supported by the Foundation. Discover the opinion piece by Andreas Brunner, Solidarity Banker at Crédit Agricole Assurances, who carried out a field mission for Oxus in Kyrgyzstan in October 2021.

A social commitment to financial inclusion

From the moment I started at Crédit Agricole (14 years ago!), I was drawn to the group's charitable initiatives. I first learned about the Solidarity Bankers program when a colleague shared with me the call for applications for a marketing consulting role. He himself had completed a Solidarity Bankers role in Africa, and his feedback motivated me to apply. So, in October 2019, I applied for this marketing role for OXUS, a microfinance institution in Kyrgyzstan.

After several interviews, I was delighted to learn that I had been selected for the mission. It fully met my expectations: to put my skills to good use in a solidarity project and discover a new culture and activity. My mission was initially planned for March 2020 and we believed in it... until the lockdown. Then another attempt in April 2021 which again ended in a postponement. Finally, I was able to leave in October 2021.

Mission preparation

My mission for OXUS Kyrgyzstan consisted of two main components: defining an annual marketing plan and creating a loyalty program to increase their client retention rate. A few interviews with the teams at the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation and OXUS allowed me to better assess and understand the challenges and objectives of the mission. To prepare for my arrival in the field, I analyzed documents on the institution's strategy and the microfinance market in Kyrgyzstan before my departure. I also had a long discussion with a colleague of OXUS's main shareholder, the NGO ACTED. After defining my schedule on site, all that was left was for me to leave!

In the footsteps of the Silk Road

I must admit that I didn't know much about this magnificent Central Asian country, not even its capital. In addition to doing some research before my departure, the long flight was a good opportunity to brush up on geography and learn more about the country's history. I'm already arriving in Istanbul: the airport reminds me of the crowds before the Covid-19 crisis, and I feel like I'm embarking on the Silk Road. After a second 5-hour flight, I finally arrive in Bishkek (IATA code: FRU, for those in the know) where I'm welcomed—by the General Director himself! The first stone laid in our friendship.

Two weeks of intense work followed: interviews, agency visits, analyses... Time passed very quickly, but I could count on the great availability of my interlocutors. The exchanges were mainly in English, but I was happy to be able to get in a few words in Russian, which helped me not only in the interviews, but especially at the restaurant. I devoted the second week of the mission to finalizing my deliverables (strategic and tactical analyses, annual plan, loyalty program, and practical tools for the teams) and testing my proposals. It was also an opportunity to look ahead with the OXUS Kyrgyzstan teams to the work they would have to carry out in the coming months. Thanks to the support of the CEO and the Board of Directors, I left confident that they would be able to, on the one hand, carry out a large number of actions planned in the 2022 marketing plan, and on the other, implement their new loyalty program.

A unique human experience

I especially remember a warm welcome and wonderful encounters. The Kyrgyz introduced me to their culture and showed me great hospitality. I was able to discover the capital with its history, its architecture, its Russian heritage. An organized weekend excursion allowed me to better understand this country with its yurts, its cuisine, its agriculture, its petroglyphs, its enormous salt lake at an altitude of 1600m, and above all, its high mountains culminating at over 7000m and which surround the city.

 

I would like to thank the CEO of OXUS Kyrgyzstan, Denis Khomyakov, for his generosity and trust, the entire team at the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation for their support (Carolina Viguet, Cécile Delhomme, Julie Serret, Philippe Guichandut), Aurélie Cacciotti of Crédit Agricole SA for the logistical aspect, as well as all the people at Crédit Agricole Assurances who contributed to making this mission possible.

 

[INTERVIEW] Humo, beneficiary of the Solidarity Bankers program

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© EBRD

Solidarity Bankers is a skills volunteering program launched by the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation and Crédit Agricole SA in 2018 with a dual objective: on the one hand, to support microfinance institutions and social impact businesses financed by the Foundation with technical assistance, and on the other hand, to promote the skills of Group employees who wish to get involved in projects with a strong social impact.

HUMO is a microfinance institution in Tajikistan that aims to support vulnerable and underserved populations living in rural areas through financial and advisory services for small businesses. It was supported in 2020 by Julien Leroy, Innovation Leader at CA-CIB.

A look back at the program with an interview with Firdavs Mayunusov, Financial Manager at HUMO.

1) Why was optimizing your business model important for your institution?

The financial sector has long been one of the most conservative and non-digitized industries in the world. Experience shows that the introduction of innovations and new technologies significantly increases competitiveness and improves customer experience. However, in order to develop cutting-edge innovations and solutions, it is necessary to rethink the business model and organizational structure of our institution.

Humo was founded 17 years ago to improve access to finance and social development in Tajikistan. Today, financial product requirements are evolving rapidly. Transitioning from a microfinance institution to a technology company is essential. It's key to achieving our mission and unlocking the region's potential. Therefore, we've begun our digital transformation and are making the company's structure more flexible and product-oriented.

2) What did you expect from the Solidarity Banker? Did the results match your expectations?

We expected the Solidarity Banker to provide us with advice and guidance on the company's transformation. Thanks to him, we were able not only to understand our weaknesses, but also to find new growth opportunities and strengthen our business model. Today, two years later, we have implemented most of the recommendations and launched the digital transformation. We were able to take a fresh look at the business model and develop a transformation strategy. The results of the mission exceeded our expectations.

3) What were the priorities defined following the recommendations made?

We reflected on the role of innovation and organizational change in business development. Flexibility and speed are essential for our company to be competitive in the market. So, we opened a new Product Department to manage cutting-edge financial solutions. Then, we began rethinking the customer experience and opened a sales department. Finally, we embarked on a digital transformation and implemented agile methodologies. This has allowed us to become one of the most technologically advanced players in the market.

4) 2 years and a few waves of Covid-19 later, what remains of the Solidarity Banker at Humo?

Over the years, Humo has changed its organizational structure, strengthened its business model, and identified opportunities. It optimized core business processes and minimized bureaucracy. The company became more agile, strategically focused, and launched several digital products. We attracted new user segments and became one of the leading FinTech companies in Tajikistan. Thanks to the Solidarity Banker, Humo was able to choose the right development path and realize its growth potential. Today, Humo is undeniably one of the market leaders despite the challenges of Covid-19, legislation, and socio-economic development.

SOLIDARITY BANKERS: THREE MISSIONS TO BE FILLED WITH PARTNERS OF THE FOUNDATION

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© Didier Gentilhomme

Solidarity Bankers is a skills volunteering program launched by the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation and Crédit Agricole SA in 2018 with a dual objective: on the one hand, to support microfinance institutions and social impact businesses financed by the Foundation with technical assistance, and on the other hand, to promote the skills of Group employees who wish to get involved in projects with a strong social impact.

The missions can take place during the Solidarity Banker's working hours (skills sponsorship) and/or during holidays (volunteering).

Currently, three missions are available in the field (the field missions last 2 weeks and are organized in compliance with the international travel rules issued by the Crédit Agricole group):

  • “Digital Strategy” Mission for Smart Credit (Moldova)

Smart Credit is a microfinance institution founded in 2010 by five local professionals with a shared vision: to provide financial services to socially disadvantaged people and small Moldovan entrepreneurs. The institution has over 3,000 active borrowers and manages a portfolio of €4.4 million.

The selected Solidarity Banker will be responsible for evaluating the institution's digital strategy and contributing to the development of an action plan for implementing a new digital strategy. Experience in IT project management and fluency in English are required.

For more information, see the terms of reference of the mission.

  • “Communication and Marketing” Mission for Lazika (Georgia)

Lazika Capital is a microfinance institution established in 2000 by Oxfam Great Britain in Georgia. Its mission is to facilitate access to financial services tailored to the needs of low- and middle-income entrepreneurs. The institution is now among the leaders in the Georgian microfinance sector and has nearly 14,000 clients.

The mission will take place in pairThe selected Solidarity Banker will be responsible for evaluating the organization's marketing actions and strategy, as well as developing a marketing plan for the end of 2021/2022. A first Solidarity Banker has been selected for the mission; we are now looking for a partner, with a junior profile accepted.

For more information, see the terms of reference of the mission.

  • “LCB-FT” mission in favor of SEF (South Africa)

SEF is a microfinance institution established in 1992 that actively works to eliminate poverty by providing the poor and very poor with a range of financial and non-financial services to enable them to realize their potential. As of December 2020, the institution has 225,317 active borrowers, including 1,001 women in rural areas, and manages a portfolio of €45,153,765.

The selected Solidarity Banker will be responsible for analyzing the environment, regulatory framework, and AML/CFT risks facing SEF, updating procedures, and conducting training for all categories of employees (top management, middle management, and operational staff) on AML/CFT risks and prevention measures. At least 5 years of experience in compliance roles is required.

For more information, see the terms of reference of the mission.

To apply: send your CV and cover letter (or 2 paragraphs presenting your motivations and expertise) to:

 

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