Events

Peter Fanconi — Impact Investing: the Role of the Microfinance Market in the Battle Against Poverty

Rooted in a paradigm shift, impact investing is revolutionizing how we view investments and development, proving profit and positive social impact can go hand in hand. Peter Fanconi will provide an overview of how the microfinance markets and the value chain work, illustrate the various lending methodologies and explain how microfinance is influencing local economies.

Peter A. Fanconi is the Chairman and former CEO of BlueOrchard Finance Ltd. BlueOrchard, a Swiss company, was founded in 2001 by initiative of the UN as the first commercial manager of microfinance debt investments worldwide. They offer premium investment solutions to qualified investors and provide debt and equity financing to institutions in emerging and frontier markets. To date, BlueOrchard has invested $3 billion in 300 institutions across 60 countries, providing access to financial and related services to over 20 million low-income individuals.

Prior to joining Blue Orchard, Franconi was CEO of the Vontobel Private Bank, a Swiss listed bank and CEO of Harcourt Investment, a global leader in alternative investments. Fanconi’s previous roles include Managing Partner at PwC, Managing Partner and Founder of MAP AG, and Member of the Board of the Liechtenstein Landesbank (LLB). Fanconi currently serves on the boards of commercial, academic and charitable institutions worldwide and as Chairman of the Graubündner Kantonalbank (GKB), a listed Swiss Bank.