
News
Swissinfo.ch – How Swiss investors are reacting to climate activism
Tuesday 22nd, October 2019Source: swissinfo.ch (in English)

Events: events@symbioticsgroup.com
General inquiries: info@symbioticsgroup.com
Agefi Hebdo – Are you facing difficulties entering microfinance? This article in L’AGEFI explains how Plumseeds works
Friday 11th, October 2019Source: L’Agefi (in French)
Allnews.ch – Interview of our CEO Roland Dominicé on the key trends and challenges ahead of our development finance industry
Friday 11th, October 2019Source: Allnews (in French)
market.ch – Voices of the actors of impact finance are heard in Bern
Monday 7th, October 2019Source: Market (in French)
Agefi.com – The impact of diversification in the cycle of sustainable finance
Saturday 5th, October 2019Source: Agefi (in French)
Press Release: Swiss private-sector development finance message for SDG capital mobilization
Wednesday 2nd, October 2019Geneva, 2 October 2019 – Some 50 representatives from the development finance private sector have called upon Swiss financial authorities in a joint message for greater support to scale private-sector investment in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and leverage the country’s position as g
New report: Swiss Microfinance & Impact Investments Report
Wednesday 2nd, October 2019We are pleased to provide you with the Swiss Microfinance & Impact Investments Report.
This paper reviews the evolution of private-sector development finance in Switzerland from 2010 to 2018. It analyzes the contribution of Swiss managers specialized in impact investing towards the financing
Opalesque.com – IFC adds signatories to its principles for impact investing
Monday 30th, September 2019Source: Opalesque (in English)
Answering five hard questions on impact bonds
Friday 20th, September 2019Impact bonds are on the cusp of a turning point. With a 34% share of the 502 billion USD impact investing assets under management by the end of 2018, private debt is the largest asset class in impact investing. It has therefore shifted from an investment debated solely by a handful of do-good foreru
Vincent Dufresne, Symbiotics co-founder, leaves after 15 years of commitment and entrepreneurship. He will be replaced by Sébastien Duquet in the general management.
Wednesday 5th, June 2019Vincent Dufresne joined the firm at inception, being one of the four founders in 2005. After 15 years of successful growth and leadership in the industry, he leaves the firm conscious of the value built by the inception team and restful of the solidity of its current business model and developments.
New report: SME Finance Loans for Growth Impact Report 2018
Monday 8th, April 2019We are pleased to provide you with the SME Finance Loans for Growth Impact Report 2018.
This report is the second of a unique study assessing whether, by enabling small and medium enterprise (SME) lending, the Loans for Growth (LFG) impact fund fosters job creation, employment and entrepreneurshi
Investment up close and personal: Meet Kinara Capital’s Hardika Shah
Monday 1st, April 2019Interview of Hardika Shah, CEO of Kinara Capital.
Kinara Capital provides financing of USD $2,000 to $20,000 to small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in India to grow and hire.
Plumseeds, the online impact investing platform launched by Symbiotics for professional investors
Thursday 13th, December 2018Plumseeds is the digital impact investment platform launched by Symbiotics. It offers professional investors the opportunity to choose specific impact investments according to their appetite and values. Via the Plumseeds website institutional investors and family offices can exclusively access well-
FMO, SYMBIOTICS and ZOLA Electric announce new USD 32.5 million facility for ZOLA Tanzania’s expansion
Tuesday 11th, December 2018ZOLA Electric, formerly Off Grid Electric; FMO, the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank; and Symbiotics, a leading investment firm specialized in emerging, sustainable and inclusive finance, today announced a USD 32.5 million facility to finance the growth of ZOLA’s Tanzania operations over the
White paper: Banking for Impact
Monday 26th, November 2018This white paper reviews the key developments that have taken place in inclusive finance markets over the period 2006-2017, supported by 12 years of data on the business models of Symbiotics’ partner financial institutions.
This research includes trend lines on more than 40 performance indicators
Banking for Impact – Our new white paper available mid-November
Monday 19th, November 2018Ramkumar Narayanan, Markets & Institutions Senior Analyst, Symbiotics, talks about our new white paper: Banking for Impact.
Learn more about the paper
The Nigerian startup scene – local talent with an international boost
Monday 19th, November 2018Among the 141 startups selected by the American accelerator Y Combinator, which served as a stepping stone for AirBnB and Dropbox, two companies stand out: Kobo360, a Uber-style logistics application connecting truckers and retailers, and CowryWise, a digital savings platform. Not only are they the
Interview with Marloes Noppen of Symbiotics: What Is Crowdfunding and How Could It Help Financial Inclusion?
Thursday 8th, November 2018Crowdfunding is gaining in worldwide popularity. Some crowdfunding platforms specialize in impact investments. Who is crowdfunding for financial inclusion? Who is the crowd of these platforms and what deals do they fund? As part of this year’s European Microfinance Week, Marloes Noppen will partic
Unhedged currencies strategy
Tuesday 23rd, October 2018Alexandre Prautzsch, Deputy Head of Clients Division, Symbiotics, explains the advantages of an unhedged currencies strategy.
Learn more about going unhedged in frontier markets by reading our White Paper.
New report launch at the GIIN Investor Forum, October 30-31
Monday 22nd, October 2018Symbiotics, sponsor of the GIIN Investor Forum, will launch its new white paper:
Financial Institutions
Enablers of Inclusive Finance since 2006
This white paper will be available mid-November.
Learn more about the white paper Financial Institutions – Enablers of Inclusive Finance since 2
Symbiotics at the Social Good Summit October 23rd
Monday 22nd, October 2018Symbiotics is a proud partner of the Social Good Summit which will be held October 23rd at the Credit Suisse Forum (Geneva).
Roland Dominicé, CEO, Symbiotics, and Guillaume Dubray, Managing Partner, Polytech Ventures, will moderate the Accelerate 2030 session from 8:45 to 10:15 am.
Five impac
The Financial Performance of Impact Investing Through Private Debt. 3 questions to Marina Parashkevova Holmegaard, Research Manager at Symbiotics.
Thursday 11th, October 2018Marina Parashkevova Holmegaard, Research Manager at Symbiotics explains the motivation behind the report launched with the GIIN on The Financial Performance of Impact Investments Through Private Debt, the key findings as well as the
The Loans for Growth Fund Impact Report – 2 Questions to the Impact Measurement Team at Symbiotics
Thursday 11th, October 2018Safeya Zeitoun, Impact Measurement Specialist and Christian Bauwens, Impact Project Coordinator at Symbiotics, explain what the impact report for the Loans for Growth Fund launched in May 2018 is about and what the benefits of outco
Symbiotics 2018 MIV Survey
Tuesday 25th, September 2018The 2018 Symbiotics Microfinance Investment Vehicles (MIV) Survey provides asset managers, investors and academia alike with the latest information of most of the world’s microfinance fund activity in emerging markets.
111 identified Microfinance Investment Vehicles with a total estimated mar
Special report on microfinance and profitabilities
Thursday 13th, September 2018Article by Marina Parashkevova, Manager Research & Ramkumar Narayanan, Markets and Institutions Senior Analyst, in the Microfinance Barometer 2018 published by Convergences: Are microfinance investments still profitable for investors?
Source: Microfinance Barometer 2018
In French
In Eng
Join us for the 11th Convergences World Forum “Make Society, Make Tomorrow”!
Monday 3rd, September 2018The 11th edition of the Convergences World Forum takes place on September 3rd&4th at the Palais Brongniart in Paris. More than 5,000 attendees and speakers from the business, solidarity, government, academic and media will gather to share ideas and build solutions around the theme “Make Societ
Series of articles on sustainable finance
Monday 27th, August 2018Series of articles on sustainable finance published by Le Temps.
The first article presents ten key Swiss personalities of our industry.
Les 10 stars suisses de la finance durable
The second article explains how Geneva wants to increase its visibility as a leader in sustainable investments.
Affordable private education gaining traction in impact finance space
Wednesday 22nd, August 2018Over the last decade, low-cost private schools have mushroomed across urban and rural areas in various countries such as India, Kenya or the Dominican Republic. These schools, founded and operated by independent local entrepreneurs, serve a large population of working poor and lower income families
Symbiotics launched a Digital Division
Tuesday 24th, July 2018Building on the commitment to improve the experience of our client and partners with our services and products and aligned with our 2020 strategy of increasing our digital footprint, we have created a dedicated Digital Division, active from July 1st 2018. John Staehli, previously Head of the Marketi
Symbiotics launched an Impact Division
Tuesday 24th, July 2018On July 1st, Symbiotics has created the Impact Division to reinforce at the organizational level our commitment of putting impact management in the focus of our activities. The newly established Impact Division will regroup and uplift the social performance management framework of the firm, as well
Impact investing continues to increasingly appeal to Millennials
Wednesday 27th, June 2018Interview of Christoffer Dahlberg, Head of Clients Division, Symbiotics, asked about the company’s growth thanks to increasing interest in impact investing from Millennials and Asian investors.
Source: Market (in French)
FINCA Bank Georgia to Expand Lending to MSME with 15 million GEL injection from Symbiotics
Wednesday 27th, June 2018Tbilisi, May 18, 2018 – Today, a loan agreement was signed between Symbiotics and FINCA Bank Georgia by which Symbiotics injects GEL 15 million to further support MSME lending programs of FINCA Bank Georgia in the country.
“It is very important for FINCA Bank Georgia that partnership with Symbi
Paraguay taking the lead in mobile financial services in LATAM
Thursday 3rd, May 2018An e-wallet launched in 2008, which allows to transfer e-money via SMS, has reached a market coverage similar to that of the traditional financial system.
Source: Le Temps (in French)
in English
New report: SME Finance Loans for Growth Impact Report 2017
Thursday 3rd, May 2018This impact report aims to measure the extent to which the Loans for Growth (LFG) fund meets its objectives to foster job creation, employment and entrepreneurship in emerging and frontier markets through SME finance.
The current report is the first in a series of four annual impact reports, which
New report: The Financial Performance of Impact Investing Through Private Debt
Tuesday 17th, April 2018In this new report, the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) and Symbiotics present the first comprehensive analysis of the financial performance of private debt impact investment funds.
The report sheds light on the business model, investment strategies, financial performance, and impact mea
2018 will be a pivotal year for financial inclusion in emerging markets. 3 questions to David Grimaud, CFA, Head of Asset Allocation at Symbiotics.
Monday 16th, April 20182018 will be a pivotal year for financial inclusion in emerging markets. David Grimaud, CFA, Head of Asset Allocation at Symbiotics, explains the goal of the Asset Allocation function within Symbiotics and how the outlook affects investment decisions an
Three questions about social performance measurement and management by Ramkumar Narayanan, Markets & Institutions Analyst
Tuesday 20th, March 2018Measuring and Managing Social Performance: Ramkumar Narayanan describes Symbiotics’ social performance management framework around which the company measures and reports on the social side of its investments into the microfinance sector.
2018 – a pivotal year for financial inclusion in emerging markets
Monday 19th, March 2018An article by David Grimaud, Head of Asset Allocation, Symbiotics SA.
In emerging countries, 2018 should be marked by wide monetary policy disparity but a common desire to accelerate economic reforms, especially those aimed at accelerating financial inclusion.
Source: investir.ch (article in F
Millions for new jobs
Friday 16th, March 2018Impact investing means investing money in a way that has a positive social impact. Just how much time and expertise this requires is demonstrated by the example of a successful young company in Cape Town.
Source: NZZ (article in German)
In English
Why sustainable investing is becoming so popular
Wednesday 7th, March 2018Interview of Christoffer Dahlberg, Head of Investor Relations, Symbiotics, sharing an update on CNNMoney Switzerland about Symbiotics and Impact Investing in general.
Development opportunities for investors and borrowers.
Thursday 18th, January 2018This article written by Christoffer Dahlberg, Head of Client Relations, Symbiotics, explains how microfinance loans offer development opportunities for investors and borrowers, and shows the extreme stability of their financial return.
Source: Schweizer Personalvorsorge / Prévoyance Professionne
Rwanda is betting on innovation and blazing the trail on the African continent
Friday 1st, December 2017This small East African country holds the second spot in sub-Saharan Africa in the World Bank’s Doing Business 2018 ranking. It is the economic model to follow for the rest of the continent.
Source: Le Temps (in French)
in English
White paper: Managing and Measuring Social Performance
Monday 30th, October 2017This new white paper builds on Symbiotics’ experience on the topic of social performance, shedding light on the rationale behind our social narrative. It describes the set of tools and practices that we use internally to measure and manage the social performance of our investments in microfinance,
White paper: Going unhedged in frontier markets
Monday 16th, October 2017Providing local currency funding to frontier market has proven to be a key aspect of impact investing.
Through its investment practice and experience, Symbiotics has moved one step further: building unhedged local currency portfolios for clients. The company has originated 420 transactions fo
Symbiotics 2017 MIV Survey
Tuesday 26th, September 2017The 2017 Symbiotics Microfinance Investment Vehicles (MIV) Survey provides a detailed overview of key market trends about microfinance offshore investments. More than 95 MIVs have participated in this 11th annual survey which covers 94% of the total MIV market estimated at USD 13.5 billion as of Dec
Investment opportunities in Palestine
Monday 28th, August 2017Despite obvious geopolitical constraints, Palestine is economically resilient thanks to its private sector, which is 90% composed of SMEs.
In Palestine, the barriers are not necessarily where they are expected to be. Investors do not encounter any real obstacles in reaching the occupied territori
Presentation: Perspectives 2050 – The role of microfinance in bridging the capital in the North with the needs in the South
Wednesday 12th, July 2017Christoffer Dahlberg, Head of Investor Relations, presents key findings of the publication “Why microfinance matters to investors” which was published by Symbiotics in April 2017.
This white paper is a follow up piece to “Microfinance Funds : 10 years of research & practice” published
Video documentary: Stories of Microfinance in Kenya – prepared in collaboration with SEB
Tuesday 27th, June 2017Stories of microfinance through the lens of Magdalene, Felistus and Jacinta, all clients of the microfinance institution, KWFT, in Kenya. Statements are included from Greta Bull, CGAP & Anders Thorendal, CIO, Church of Sweden. This video was made possible through a partnership between Skandinavi
White paper: Why microfinance matters to investors
Thursday 1st, June 2017This white paper explores different factors that will contribute to a new investment paradigm over the coming decades, namely demographics, credit markets, and the global internet connectivity. As no investor portfolio is immune to these dynamics, our publication makes a case for why microfinance in
Côte d’Ivoire faces the challenge of inclusive growth
Tuesday 25th, April 2017Côte d’Ivoire is attracting investors. Since the end of the 2010-2011 civil war, this West African country of 24 million inhabitants has shown impressive economic vigor, seemingly of the long-term variety: after registering between 8% and 9% growth over the period 2012-2015, Côte d’Ivoire is expec
A corporate gathering across the globe
Tuesday 25th, April 2017Earlier this year, rather than have all our staff convene in our Geneva headquarter office for our Corporate Days, we decided to have a group of staff from headquarters travel to our regional offices. The gathering was held simultaneously in Cape Town, Singapore and Mexico City and Geneva.
This u
New market coverage in South & East Asia & Pacific: Pakistan and East Timor
Tuesday 25th, April 2017Symbiotics has grown its country diversification to 72 countries, since inception, across the globe, of which 10 are currently located in the region of South and East Asia & Pacific. Thanks to the field work done by several of our analysts, based in Asia, over the past couple of years, we have b
Three questions to Fabio Sofia, Head of Portfolio Advisory
Tuesday 25th, April 2017What is an impact bond and what’s the difference between the green, blue and social bonds we are all hearing about? With nearly 700 million U.S. Dollars invested in 25 countries, Fabio how our impact bonds work as well as which countries and what typ
Three questions to our Business Development director
Thursday 9th, February 2017An interview with Valérie Dujardin
Business Development director
Based in Geneva
Symbiotics builds up its technical assistance expertise
Thursday 9th, February 2017For over six years, Symbiotics has been developing expertise in technical assistance thanks to the launch of the Regional MSME Investment Fund for Sub-Saharan Africa Fund (REGMIFA) in 2011 and its REGMIFA TA Facility, both managed by Symbiotics. The management of the TA Facility is performed by an e
Steady growth of talent recruitment
Wednesday 8th, February 2017With the strengthening of several of the company’s key partnerships, and its investors’ growing interest in themes beyond microfinance, Symbiotics hired over 25 professionals reaching a total headcount of 96 staff at the end of 2016 and we expect this to continue in 2017.
Duc Nguyen, Symbioti
Microfinance is no longer a niche investment
Thursday 12th, January 2017Since 2005, Symbiotics has published a detailed survey on microfinance funds. This report has become a reference in the industry allowing fund managers to benchmark their performances and the industry to observe its evolution. In a recent interview with Le Temps, Symbiotics CEO, Roland Dominicé,
The Bond market grows its impact
Tuesday 10th, January 2017This past year, the impact bond market is expected to double compared to 2016 and is projected to reach 100 billion U.S. Dollars.
This upward trend is being stymied equally by bond emitters and investors.
Source: Sphère Magazine in French & German
Institutionals drive the market
Wednesday 21st, December 2016The total allocation by this investor type has grown from 500 million U.S. Dollars to 5 billion U.S. Dollars in the past 10 years.
Source: L’Agefi (French)
Extending access to credit to SMEs, microfinance’s next challenge
Wednesday 30th, November 2016Interview with Daniel von Moltke, Symbiotics Director of Asset Management
Source: Market (French)
New report: Microfinance Funds: 10 years of research and practice
Wednesday 16th, November 2016 “A review and analysis of CGAP’s and Symbiotics’ Microfinance Investment Vehicles Surveys”
Our white paper, co-written with CGAP on the past 10 years of investments in microfinance is available now.
This research reflects back on 10 years of data and analysis on microfinance investment veh
3 questions to Symbiotics’ investment manager
Thursday 10th, November 2016Short interview with Patrick d’Huart
Investment Manager Africa
Based in our Cape Town office
Myanmar arrives on the financial inclusion map
Tuesday 25th, October 2016Myanmar holds a potential that few emerging markets offer today. Find out why this country has now piqued the interest of investors.
Source: Le Temps
English
French
Symbiotics and UBS launch a new impact investing fund, with the support of the Swiss government
Tuesday 4th, October 2016Symbiotics has successfully closed the SME Finance – Loans for Growth Fund, a fully subscribed USD 50 million investment product offered by UBS to its impact investor base. The 4-year closed-end structure aims to provide loans to SME finance institutions in emerging and frontier markets. It thereb
Symbiotics and IntelleGrow launch India’s first SME pool program
Friday 30th, September 2016Read India-based IntelleGrow’s recent press release on a new and innovative SME debt pool program created in collaboration with Symbiotics. It will allow impact investors to invest in a group of impact-driven Indian SMEs.
Press release
Symbiotics 2016 MIV Survey
Monday 12th, September 2016
This unique study provides asset managers, investors and academia alike with the latest information of most of the world’s microfinance fund activity in emerging markets. The 10th edition of the Symbiotics MIV Survey
3 questions to Symbiotics’ investment analyst
Monday 12th, September 2016Short interview with Eugene Tan.
Analyst for China, Mongolia and Pakistan
Based in our Singapore office.
In Africa, microfinance at the service of solar energy
Tuesday 28th, June 2016Solar energy’s contribution to a country’s overall energy output has long been marginal. That could soon change.
Source: Le Temps
English
French
Three questions to our Head of Marketing & Communications
Monday 27th, June 2016Following the company’s image refresh last January, after 10 years of business, we recently unveiled our brand new corporate website. John Staehli, Head of Marketing & Communication, tells us more about this project as well as the company’s latest marketing research developments and partner
Sustainable investments are becoming a mainstream asset class
Monday 6th, June 2016La fortune gérée en Suisse selon les principes de l’investissement durable approche 200 milliards de francs. La croissance est soutenue notamment par une prise de conscience accrue, et par la quête effrénée de rendements du fait de la répression financière.
Source: Le Temps (French)
Kenya and Bolivia: the differences between winners and losers when the price of oil falls
Monday 4th, April 2016With their opposing exchange rate regimes, energy-exporting Bolivia and energy-importing Kenya have distinct risk profiles.
Source: Le Temps English
Français
Three questions to our Head of Financial Institutions, Vincent Lehner
Thursday 3rd, March 2016Q1: What do you find to be the most important aspect of the investment analysts’ work and yours today?
Our team of 25 analysts, present in 4 offices around the world, is constantly travelling, performing due diligences, visiting financial institutions, regulators and associations or other actors
Symbiotics Impact Bond platform reaches USD 300 million
Thursday 3rd, March 2016Symbiotics impact bond platform, a pass-through notes issuance program called “MSME Bonds”, which reaches out to microfinance and SME finance in the emerging markets, has reached USD 300 million since its inception, offering a unique and innovative way for investors to boost the social impact of th
Unctad’s Empretec helps Symbiotics gain insights on entrepreneurship
Thursday 3rd, March 2016Symbotics’ entire management staff recently met in Geneva for a week of seminars and training. As part of the company’s training development program, they engaged in a special training session given by UNCTAD Empretec on entrepreneurship.
The workshop’s main objective was to allow participants
How two South Caucasus nations are confronting the regional recession
Monday 18th, January 2016While Armenia sees its economic prospects hampered by its close links with Russia, Georgia is free to turn towards the West. However, despite its current economic problems, Russia remains the engine of the regional economy and it may not be a bad idea to keep close ties with this major economic pow
Swiss Microfinance report 2015: Switzerland leader in managing global microfinance investments
Tuesday 15th, December 2015Swiss Microfinance Report 2015 shows that Switzerland remains the leader in managing global microfinance investments
The recently updated Swiss Microfinance Investments Report confirms that Switzerland remains the world market leader in microfinance investments with 38% of global investments. Thi
Company enters its high conference season
Monday 19th, October 2015Our company enters its high conference season
Symbiotics has begun its conference high season. Many staff members will be attending several regional and microfinance network conferences into the months of November and December. In addition, some conferences have been organized by the Business D
Company’s first energy deal with M-KOPA
Thursday 15th, October 2015Symbiotics recently became a partner of M-KOPA, an Africa-based solar energy solutions company that has connected thousands of homes in several countries in Central Africa to solar power. Their market-tailored product relies not only on more affordable green technology but also on an innovative pay-
Three questions to the Head of Market & Credit Risk, Jérôme Savelli
Thursday 15th, October 2015Three questions to the Head of Market & Credit Risk, Jérôme Savelli
A new Market & Credit Risk unit has been added at Symbiotics. Jérôme Savelli, its new head, talks to us about the creation of the unit, its various dimensions and what it will bring to the company’s investment value c
Nigerians are finally starting to dream of a country with an effective administration
Monday 12th, October 2015How is it that Africa’s largest oil-producing country has effectively managed to run out of fuel? This is precisely the question the world asked in May 2015 as Nigeria’s businesses faced crippling fuel shortages that threatened the economy.
Source: Le Temps English Français
Betting on Sub-Saharan Africa
Thursday 1st, October 2015Authors: Daniel von Moltke & David Grimaud
Source: Banque et Finance – Asset Management Suisse 2015
Misez sur l’Afrique sub-saharienne
Setzen Sie auf Subsahara-Afrika
Africa appears to be a new vector of growth
Friday 18th, September 2015Slowing down of private microfinance asset management. Africa, the outsider, is drawing attention.
Source: L’Agefi (French)
Symbiotics publishes its 9th Annual Microfinance Investment Vehicles survey
Wednesday 16th, September 2015The 9th edition of the Symbiotics Microfinance Investment Vehicles (MIV) Survey has just been published. It is the only industry survey providing a full overview of market trends as well as a peer group analysis of global microfinance investment vehicles. These specialized intermediaries include mic
Symbiotics participates in the 2nd African Microfinance Week
Thursday 23rd, July 2015Several Symbiotics staff recently had the opportunity to meet with a large number of microfinance practitioners and policy makers from 36 African countries from June 29-July 3rd in Dakar Senegal for the second edition of the African Microfinance Week was held. This year’s driving theme was “Innovati
Ivan Pictet replaces Prof. Francis Waldvogel as Chairman of the Board
Friday 26th, June 2015This week Symbiotics held its annual shareholders’ meeting in Geneva. The majority of the company’s current 64 shareholders attended and were able to have a full overview of the 2014 results and gain insights regarding the 2015 business developments and outlook.
This was an exceptional meeting wi
How Ecuador is dealing with declining oil revenues
Monday 15th, June 2015L’Equateur (le plus petit membre de l’OPEP) a récemment subi des pressions sur ses recettes fiscales causées par la chute du prix du brut amorcée aux troisième trimestre 2014.
Source: Le Temps English Français
Symbiotics celebrates 10 years of sustainable investments
Wednesday 27th, May 2015In late January, Symbiotics celebrated its 10 years of business with the company’s entire staff, nearly 85 people to date, and its main stakeholders in Geneva. This provided an opportunity for the founders to share how the company got started as well as its main highlights, obstacles and achievement
Press Release: Symbiotics opens an office in Zurich and grows its business development activities
Wednesday 27th, May 2015Symbiotics has recently opened its second office in Switzerland at Forchstrasse 280 in the city center of Zurich. The office is run by a new Head of Investor Relations, Christoffer Dahlberg. His predecessor, Fabio Sofia, was made Director of the new Business Development unit, which includes the inve
3 questions for the CEO
Tuesday 26th, May 2015Reinforcing the senior management.
Symbiotics presented its history and business plan during its 10-year celebration on January 27th. The company’s investment portfolio has experienced a compounded annual growth rate of 40% over the past decade. Symbiotics plans to double its assets under managemen
India’s SMEs grow their waste management role
Wednesday 25th, March 2015With Prime Minister Modi’s Clean India campaign making global headlines, a company in India is creating impact by bringing professionalism to an unorganised waste management sector, thereby generating wealth and security for its valuable employees: the rag pickers.
Source: Le Temps English Franç
The Flourishing Microfinance Market: Past, Present and Future
Wednesday 25th, March 2015A conversation with Fabio Sofia, Head of Business Development, and John Staehli, Head of Marketing and Communication, Symbiotics
Global Trends
Microfinance’s attractive potential
Wednesday 21st, January 2015The sector is booming. Geneva-based Symbiotics celebrates ten years of success and intends to double its assets under management in the next three years.
Source: Bilan English Français
In ten years, microfinance has gained credibility in the eyes of investors
Wednesday 21st, January 2015Symbiotics, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, has invested 2.2 billion francs for its clients. True to its social charter, the Geneva-based company plans to expand into other sectors
Source: Le Temps English Français
Africa’s strong growth to continue with Senegal
Monday 1st, December 2014L’émission de 500 millions de dollars en Eurobonds est un premier pas vers l’emergence de la république ouest-africaine.
Source: Le Temps English Français
Investing in micro-credit
Thursday 18th, September 2014Source: Ticino Management (Italian)
Tajikistan could gain from the current crisis in Ukraine
Monday 1st, September 2014The poorest former Soviet republic’s growth should be buttressed by agricultural exports towards Russia – a nice windfall at a time when remittances from migrants working in Russia are declining. In parallel, the mining, energy and finance sectors are attracting foreign investors.
Source: Le Temp
Microfinance booms, and Switzerland is at the forefront
Saturday 30th, August 2014Source: NZZ am Sonntag (German)
Microfinance: Switzerland in pole position
Wednesday 27th, August 2014Source: L’Agefi (French)
Switzerland, leader in microfinance
Wednesday 27th, August 2014Laut einer aktuellen Studie von Symbiotics wird ein ein Drittel aller Mikrofinanz-Investitionen weltweit in der Schweiz verwaltet.
Source: fondstrends.ch (German)
Switzerland leader in microfinance investments
Wednesday 27th, August 2014Source: finanzen.ch
Switzerland, leader in microfinance
Monday 11th, August 2014Der Schweizer Finanzplatz hat sich zu einem https://symbioticsgroup.com/news/schweiz-bei-mikrofinanz-anlagen-fuhrend Hub für Microfinance entwickelt. Doch für Kleinanleger ist diese Anlagekategorie schlecht zugänglich.
Source: Tages Anzeiger (German)
The new entrepreneurs come from Africa
Monday 4th, August 2014Sept des dix pays ayant la plus forte croissance sont africains et les pays fourmillent de projets. Le boom économique ne profite pas encore à la majorité. La transformation devra s’appuyer sur une finance inclusive.
Source: Le Temps (French)
The financial revolution is underway in Africa
Friday 20th, June 2014L’afrique est aujourd’hui fermement ancrée dans le camp de la croissance, après la stagnation des années 1980-2000. Reste qu’une certaine réticence trop répandue empêche encore les investisseurs de considérer sereinement, voire objectivement, les progrès réalisés. Comment capitali
It’s time to invest in Africa
Thursday 12th, June 2014Le continent, et particulièrement la région subsaharienne, devrait connaître de forts taux de croissance du PIB. Les conditions deviennent favorables aux investissements.
Source: Bilan francais
The cradle of microfinance, Bolivia remains solid
Wednesday 16th, April 2014What factors have contributed to the growth and sophistication of Bolivian microfinance? Well-managed microfinance institutions (MFI), borrowers using credit in a targeted manner, a good regulatory framework, and access to abundant domestic and international funding. This, despite the emergence o
An economic boom is pushing Cambodians to demand a more just redistribution of the country’s wealth
Monday 10th, March 2014Activists, particularly those from the textile industry, are demanding higher salaries. A first in country traditionally not inclined towards protests. Cambodia has seen 7% growth over the last 10 years.
Source: Le Temps english français
Regulation helps clean up microfinance in India
Saturday 1st, March 2014Govind Singh et son programme financent 300 000 femmes en Inde. Il se réjouit des règles mises en place ces dernières années pour encadrer son secteur d’activité
Source: Le Temps (available upon free registration)
Proven performance in microfinance
Thursday 30th, January 2014La microfinance a délivré une performance de plus de 40% en dix ans. Volatilité et correlation avec les autres classes d’actifs très faibles.
Source: L’agefi français
Microfinance suffers from a lack of promotion from its clients
Thursday 30th, January 2014Selon Symbiotics, les investissements durables sont prisés mais pas assez mis en avant par les établissements financiers
Source: Le Temps (available upon free registration)
Microfinance – Stable – but not without risks
Monday 23rd, December 2013Source: Neue Zurcher Zeitung German
How Kyrgyzstan has become a cog in the wheel of globalization
Monday 16th, December 2013The market in Dordoy has become a central element in ensuring Kyrgyz growth with the country’s accession to the WTO in 1998. In the future, the development of gold mining and domestic consumption should take over.
Source: Le Temps english français
Cocoa instead of cocaine
Thursday 12th, December 2013Source: Handelszeitung German
Microfinance at the summit
Tuesday 8th, October 2013Symbiotics. La société de microfinance connaît une croissance importante et renforce son leadership
Source: Indices – L’agefi français
Microfinance continues its mutation
Monday 7th, October 2013Comment s’offrir une exposition sur Equity Bank au Kenya? La microfinance permet désormais de s’exposer en direct au travers d’obligations listées.
Source: Indices – L’agefi français
Zimbabwe makes its return on the emerging investments map
Wednesday 25th, September 2013The adoption of the dollar has stabilized the country’s economy. With low inflation and strong growth, the country led by Robert Mugabe is starting to attract investors. Especially microfinance funds
Source: Le Temps English français
Sustainable Finance gains in maturity
Monday 9th, September 2013L’investissement socialement responsable élargit son audience. Reste que le soutien public est encore insuffisant pour que la Suisse puisse rivaliser avec des places comme Londres.
Source: L’Hebdo français
Making an impact
Tuesday 20th, August 2013With impact investments ranking high on fund managers’ and investors’ agendas, Anna Lyudvig finds that Africa offers promising investment opportunities in the microfinance space
Source: Africa Asset Management
Banking is essential. Banks are not
Monday 19th, August 2013Banking is essential, banks are not. Bill Gates said there are more than 15 years. And it is not the only one to think. Many experts see the traditional model of change so that its end is near … Even if it still holds the prophecy, a fact nevertheless remains clear banking sector banking is ess
2013 MIV Survey report: Market data and peer Group analysis
Monday 29th, July 2013Symbiotics SA has conducted the seventh annual survey of microfinance investment vehicles (MIVs) which draws on survey responses from 84 MIVs representing approximately 93 percent of the global MIV market asset base. This paper presents an analysis of the financial and social performance of the micr
The role of microfinance in a portfolio
Wednesday 24th, July 2013Kleinstkredite in Schwellen- und Entwicklungsländern sind als Anlagethema relevant – Investment-Strategien und Produkte werden differenzierter
Source: Finanz und Witschaft German
The Deployment of Microfinance Investments
Wednesday 24th, July 2013Les fonds actions ont doublé leurs prises de participation dans des institutions locales en 2012. Marché en croissance de 19%
Source: L’Agefi français
Symbiotics publishes 2013 MIV Survey
Wednesday 24th, July 2013Symbiotics 2013 MIV survey, published on July 24, 2013, confirms diversification and growth in the microfinance investment sector.
Source: Emerging Markets ESG
Engagement and performance at the heart of exchanges
Monday 10th, June 2013La quatrième édition du Geneva Forum for Sustainable Investment (GFSI) renouvelle l’intérêt pour le secteur.
Source: L’Agefi français
Microfinance in Africa: opportunities for social Entrepreneurs
Saturday 18th, May 2013It is undeniable that there is a large untapped microfinance market in Africa today, although constraints remain numerous. Africa, with an average loan size estimated in 2011 at USD 475, is well above the average portfolio yield of the Symbiotics worldwide microfinance index. Despite this high
Microfinance, an indispensable tool to capturing growth in emerging countries
Wednesday 15th, May 2013Le FMI parle de plus de 70% de la création de richesse provenant de pays comme l’Inde, la Chine, le Nigeria ou le Pérou d’ici quelques années. Il prévoit même que le PNB cumulé des pays émergents pourrait dépasser celui des pays développés d’ici 2014 déjà. La preuve qu’il faud
The logical progression in development
Monday 6th, May 2013Le spécialiste genevois de la microfinance a reçu l’agrément de la Finma en tant que gestionnaire de placements collectifs
Source: L’Agefi français
Small loans raise big expectations
Wednesday 16th, January 2013La société Symbiotics vient d’accorder un prêt de 10 millions de dollars à AccessBank. La première banque de microfinance d’Azerbaïdjan a reçu cette somme le 20 novembre, via la plateforme de fonds d’obligations MSME de Symbiotics.
Source: Finanz und Wirtschaft German
Symbiotics loans 10 Million to AccessBank
Monday 3rd, December 2012La société Symbiotics vient d’accorder un prêt de 10 millions de dollars à AccessBank. La première banque de microfinance d’Azerbaïdjan a reçu cette somme le 20 novembre, via la plateforme de fonds d’obligations MSME de Symbiotics.
Source: L’Agefi français
Institutionals want to measure the impact of their investments
Monday 15th, October 2012IMPACT FINANCE. La société de gestion genevoise Symbiotics s’allie avec le britannique Oxfam et la Ville de Londres.
Source: L’Agefi Français
Oxfam turns investor with Mongolian loan
Tuesday 9th, October 2012British anti-poverty charity Oxfam has made its first venture into corporate finance with a £1m loan to a Mongolian machinery and equipment leasing company.
Source: The Financial Times
If Oxfam did hedge funds
Monday 8th, October 2012Meet the most improbable new entrant to the financial services arena this year: Oxfam.
Source: Private Equity International
Microfinance helds eradicate poverty (TV interview)
Friday 14th, September 2012Daniel Schriber, Director at Symbiotics, joins Dukascopy TV journalist Navjeet Grewal to discuss how since microfinance has evolved it has become a useful tool helping to eradicate poverty. Daniel tells viewers how microfinance is a big help to lower income households in developing countries where f
A New multi-strategy approach
Wednesday 18th, July 2012Symbiotics et la banque Gonet & Cie s’associent pour lancer le fonds de fonds Symbiotics Emerging Sustainable Funds
Source: L’Agefi Français
Five Questions about Microfinance
Monday 2nd, July 2012Special Interview with Roland Dominicé CEO Symbiotics
Source: Emerging Markets ESG
Sustainable Finance: from a Niche Market to Global Impact Issues
Monday 11th, June 2012La troisième édition du Geneva Forum for Sustainable Investors s’est concentrée sur les institutionnels.
Source: L’Agefi (French)
From Microfinance to Impact Investment, New Investment Themes
Thursday 7th, June 2012Que de chemin parcouru en un peu plus de 10 ans.
Source: Invest’news (français)
Central Asia continues to be the most favorable region for microfinance
Thursday 3rd, May 2012Source: Le Temps (French)
Financing SMEs in emerging markets
Wednesday 28th, March 2012Interview of Daniel Schriber, Director Symbiotics Research & Advisory
Source: Bilan (French)
The Funds show an average yearly return of 4.2%
Thursday 9th, February 2012Les fonds suisses de microfinance dégagent un rendement moyen de 4,2% par an Depuis la crise financière, les écarts de rendement se creusent entre les véhicules suisses spécialisés dans le microcrédit.
Source: Le Temps (French)
Oxfam Chooses Symbiotics to Invest in Microfinance
Thursday 9th, February 2012Oxfam choisit Symbiotics pour investir dans la microfinance L’ONG a créé avec la société genevoise un fonds de placement. Ce véhicule vise un impact social à travers l’aide aux PME en Afrique et en Asie
Source: Le Temps (French)
Oxfam moves into fund world
Monday 23rd, January 2012Oxfam, the anti-poverty charity, is branching out into asset management by launching its first investment fund, which will aim to combine social good with financial returns.
Source: Financial Times
Some Genevans spur microfinance
Monday 23rd, January 2012Une société genevoise mise sur le crédit à de petits entrepreneurs locaux.
Source: Tribune de Genève (French)
Leadership to be consolidated
Monday 16th, January 2012La microfinance devra surmonter les réglementations dans les deux années à venir.
Source: L’Agefi (French)
Switzerland among the leaders of the microfinance sector
Monday 16th, January 2012La place financière gère plus du quart des investissements dans le monde. Soit près de 2,5 milliards de dollars.
Source: L’Agefi (French)
A third of microfinance investments are managed in Switzerland
Saturday 27th, August 2011Publication de l’étude MIV Survey 2014 de Symbiotics.
Source: market.ch (French)
Resilience and attractive returns
Monday 14th, February 2011Source: Banque et Finance (French)
Symbiotics Launches a new investment instrument addressing the investments needs and challenges of the microfinance Industry
Monday 14th, February 2011En mai 2004, BlueOrchard émettait le premier CDO. A cette époque, l’image des «Collateralized debt obligations» n’était pas encore collée à celle des «subprime» et de la crise immobilière américaine. En deux jours, le spécialiste genevois de la microfinance avait récolté près de
Microfinance actors reacts to the latest criticism of the industry
Thursday 13th, January 2011BlueOrchard et Symbiotics, entre autres, défendent l’industrie suite à la crise en Inde.
Source: Le Temps (French)
The rise of the impact investing
Monday 13th, September 2010L’impact investing comprend la famille grandissante des investissements qui ont pour objectif de mesurer leur impact social, environnemental et économique autant que financier.
Source: L’Agefi (French)
That 25 entrepreneurs who shape Geneva
Wednesday 1st, September 2010Depuis 2004, Symbiotics fournit informations, conseils d’investissement et services divers à tous les acteurs actifs dans le domaine de la microfinance.
Source: PME Magazine (French)
Microfinance’s Potential in Sub-Saharan Africa
Friday 2nd, July 201010% du volume d’investissement étranger en micro-finance est géré depuis Genève.
Source: Le Temps (French)
Symbiotics open an office in South Africa
Thursday 1st, July 2010La société genevoise parie sur le développement de l’Afrique subsaharienne Afrique subsaharienne Afrique subsaharienne
Source: Le Temps (French)
Microfinance: the potential of Africa
Monday 7th, June 2010Alors que le secteur informel et la petite entreprise prédominent, le continent dispose du taux de bancarisation le plus faible au monde. Des éléments qui vont soutenir le développement du petit crédit dans ces régions.
Source: Le Temps (French)
Symbiotics eyeing to Africa
Monday 7th, June 2010De la crise bancaire à l’entrée sur le marché africain. Créée en 2005 à Genève, la firme de microcrédit Symbiotics n’avait pas imaginé que la finance mondiale menacerait de s’effondrer à peine trois ans après son lancement.
Source: Bilan (French)
Over-indebtedness comes on top of concerns of Microfinance
Thursday 18th, February 2010La société genevoise de conseil Symbiotics fêtait ses cinq ans mercredi. Elle continue à croître alors que la crise mondiale a fini par frapper le marché du microcrédit.
Source: Le Temps (French)
Symbiotics celebrates five years of activity in microfinance
Wednesday 17th, February 2010La société genevoise conseille 20% des fonds qui investissent dans le microcrédit. Elle vient d’ouvrir sa quatrième antenne en Afrique du Sud.
Source: L’Agefi (French)
Symbiotics rewarded for its actions in Tajikistan
Friday 24th, July 2009Le spécialiste genevois de la microfinance a remporté le prix du « meilleur investisseur 2008 », dé- cerné lors du concours «Finance responsable» organisé par l’Association de Microfinance du Tadjikistan (AMFOT).
Source: L’Agefi (in French)
Symbiotics, advisory services for the microfinance sector
Saturday 27th, September 2008Notre travail consiste à faire en sorte qu’un financier puisse approcher la microfinance de la façon la plus normale possible.
Source: Le Temps (in French)
Small investments with lasting effects
Friday 1st, June 2007La microfinance? Par de petits prêts elle fournit des ressources financières aux populations pauvres et exclues du système bancaire…
Source: Baboo Time (French)
Symbiotics launches a CDO in the Balkans
Friday 20th, January 2006Grâce à la société genevoise, les microbanques des pays de l’Est ont accès aux collateral debt obligations (CDO) et entrent dans la cour des grands.
Source: L’Agefi (French)
Cédric Lombard starts “Symbiotics”
Sunday 1st, January 2006Le cocréateur de BlueOrchard, Cédric Lombard a quitté sa société pour créer Symbiotics en début d’année…
Source: Private Banking (French)
Symbiotics, a new actor in Geneva
Wednesday 12th, October 2005Des anciens employés de BlueOrchard ont créé leur société de conseil en microfinance.
Source: Le Temps (French)