WWB Colombia is a
microfinance institution in
Colombia.
History
WWB Colombia - Cali was founded in 1980 by a group of professional and businesswomen in Cali, Colombia.
WWB Colombia was the first entity to grant a micro loan in the country. Today it is one of three main microcredit players in Colombia. It was the first to affiliate to the
Women's World Banking International Network.
It received financial and technical support from various institutions, including the
Inter-American Development Bank, FOMIN (
Multilateral Investment Fund
The Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) is an independent fund administered by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), created in 1993 to support private sector development in Latin America and the Caribbean. In partnership with business orga ...
),
International Finance Corporation
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is an international financial institution that offers investment, advisory, and asset-management services to encourage private-sector development in less developed countries. The IFC is a member of ...
,
German Technical Cooperation, Consultative Group to Assist the Poor and Development Bank of Latin America.
In February 2005, WWB Colombia issued its first bond on the Colombian Stock Exchange. The amount, in two tranches, was $120.000 million (US $52 million). The rating by
Duff & Phelps
Kroll, LLC, formerly Duff & Phelps LLC, is an American multinational financial consultancy firm based in New York City. It was founded as Duff & Phelps in 1932 by William Duff and George Phelps. Since then, the firm has added more than 30 comp ...
was AA+.
As of December 31, 2008, WWB Colombia had 230.000 current loans. The number of jobs generated by microenterprises funded by WWB Colombia amounted to 280.000.
As of March 2009, WWB Colombia had approximately 1.000 employees and a network of 59 branches. Its headquarters were in
Cali, Colombia. Clara Serra de Akerman is the president.
Impact and products
The group uses an individual loan methodology based on a computerized information system. The institution’s client-base is 67% women, mainly from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd strata of the population (the lowest income strata). The clients’ main business activities revolve around production (20%), sales (55%) and service (25%) sectors.
WWB Colombia offers loans starting at US $50. However, the average loan size is US $1.100. Loans are provided through simple procedures and personalized attention. Terms and rates are fixed according to the type of microbusiness, and collateral requirements according to the condition of each micro entrepreneur. 82% of all loans granted by the institution are renewals. WWB Colombia also offers insurance (life and education).
Sources
* WWB Colombia Annual Report 2007 - in English (198 KB
* WWB Colombia Annual Report 2007 - in Spanish (6,9 MB
* WWB Colombia websit
External links
{{portal, Colombia
* WWB Colombia websit
* Women's World Banking websit
* Mixmarket.org - information on WWB Colombi
Microfinance organizations
Women's organisations based in Colombia
Poverty-related organizations