
News
Symbiotics wins Environmental Finance Bond Award for Innovation for the second time
Thursday 31st, March 2022The Green Bond Symbiotics structured in July 2021 for Samunnati Financial Intermediation & Services (Samunnati) in India has won the 2022 Environmental Finance Award for innovation in the bond structure (green bond) category.
“We are proud to have won a second consecutive innovation green b

Symbiotics Capacity Building deploys for REGMIFA TA Facility a SME finance project in “Compact with Africa” countries with funding from KfW
Thursday 10th, February 2022Through Symbiotics Association for Sustainable Development (SASD), Symbiotics Capacity Building is committed to reinforcing financial institutions in emerging markets. It has gathered over USD 18 million in donor funding for deploying over 140 technical assistance projects, ranging from governance,
Symbiotics extends its offering of impact investment solutions in the European Union
Thursday 27th, January 2022Symbiotics France, a subsidiary of Symbiotics, the Swiss-based leading market access platform for impact investing, in mid-year 2021 started operating as an alternative investment fund manager (AIFM), after obtaining the authorization of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) in 2020.
This d
Symbiotics opens new offices in Armenia and India
Tuesday 25th, January 2022Symbiotics, the leading market access platform for impact investing, announces the opening of offices in Yerevan, Armenia and Delhi, India.
Alexandr Fando, Regional Manager for the Caucasus & Central Asia region, heads the Symbiotics office in Yerevan. Symbiotics has been present in the regio
Symbiotics launches USD 6.5 million Social Bond in Ecuador with Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito Fernando Daquilema
Thursday 13th, January 2022Symbiotics, the leading market access platform for impact investing, has arranged a USD 6.5 million Social Bond for Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito Fernando Daquilema (“Daquilema”).
With the issuance of this Social Bond, Daquilema reinforces its commitment to serve indigenous communities pro
Symbiotics launches USD 10 million Social Bond with Hamkorbank from Uzbekistan
Thursday 13th, January 2022Symbiotics, the leading market access platform for impact investing, has arranged a USD 10 million Social Bond for Hamkorbank.
Founded in 1991 by local entrepreneurs, Hamkorbank’s mission is to provide high-quality services via its technologically advanced banking products and over 200 service
Symbiotics launches USD 14 million Social Bond in Ecuador with Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito de la Pequeña Empresa de Cotopaxi “Cacpeco”
Thursday 6th, January 2022Symbiotics, the leading market access platform for impact investing, has arranged a USD 14 million Social Bond for Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito de la Pequeña Empresa de Cotopaxi (“Cacpeco”).
Providing financing to underserved people and communities has been the core of Cacpeco’s contri
Symbiotics launches USD 15 million Green Bond for Greenlight Planet
Thursday 16th, December 2021Symbiotics, the leading market access platform for impact investing, has arranged a USD 15 million Green Bond for Greenlight Planet Inc. (“Greenlight Planet”).
This represents a landmark transaction for the leading provider of off-grid solar home energy solutions across markets on the Asian a
Symbiotics launches USD 6.75 million Sustainability Bond in Armenia with ACBA Bank OJSC
Tuesday 2nd, November 2021Symbiotics, the leading market access platform for impact investing, has arranged a USD 6.75 million Sustainability Bond for ACBA Bank OJSC (“ACBA”).
This represents a landmark transaction for the only cooperative bank present in Armenia. ACBA has committed to use the proceeds of the Sustaina
Report – Impact of Covid-19 on the microfinance sector: focus on the Caucasus region
Monday 4th, October 2021With the Covid-19 pandemic affecting every industry in the world, including the microfinance sector, Symbiotics and CGAP have partnered to publish a series of briefs that explore how Covid-19 has affected the microfinance sector based on Symbiotics’ data and our analysts’ expertise. Four briefs that
Press release: Symbiotics arranges two Green Bonds in Vietnam with EVNFinance for USD 6.25 million and VND 234 billion respectively
Thursday 26th, August 2021Symbiotics, the leading market access platform for impact investing, has arranged a USD 6.25 million and VND 234 billion (USD 10.1 million) Green Bonds for EVNFinance.
EVNFinance, a Vietnamese non-bank Financial Institution regulated by the State Bank of Vietnam and listed on the UPCoM Stock exch
The fourth snapshot in the Covid-19 CGAP-Symbiotics series is available
Wednesday 28th, July 2021This latest update confirms that global microfinance recovery continues, especially in Africa, but pandemic’s longterm impact remains uncertain.
Read the latest snapshot : Snapshot: MFIs During the Crisis – July 2021
About this snapshot
This snapshot is part of a series published by CGAP an
Press release: Symbiotics launches Green Bond in Sri Lanka with Seylan Bank
Wednesday 28th, July 2021Symbiotics, the leading market access platform for impact investing, has arranged a USD 15.1 million Green Bond for Seylan Bank PLC (“Seylan”).
Seylan will use the proceeds of the Green Bond for financing renewable energy projects within Sri Lanka, such as mini hydro power plants up to 25MW,
Press release: Symbiotics launches first 100% agricultural Green Bond in India with Samunnati
Tuesday 27th, July 2021Symbiotics, the leading market access platform for impact investing, has arranged with Samunnati Financial Intermediation & Services Private Limited (“Samunnati”) its first Green Bond whereby the proceeds of USD 4.6 million in local currency equivalent are fully allocated towards climate sma
Symbiotics impact management process is aligned with the Operating Principles for Impact Management
Thursday 22nd, July 2021Symbiotics completed on 30 June 2021 its first independent verification demonstrating that its impact management process is aligned with the Operating Principles for Impact Management. The verification was conducted by Tameo Impact Fund Solutions.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) launc
Press release: FMO invests USD 10 million in the Regional MSME Investment Fund for Sub-Saharan Africa (REGMIFA)
Wednesday 21st, July 2021REGMIFA, the Regional MSME Investment Fund for Sub-Saharan Africa, has attracted a further USD 10 million from Dutch-based entrepreneurial development bank FMO. This additional funding will support the growth of Africa’s MSME sector and foster economic development through employment creation, inco
Press release: The final report on SME Finance Loans for Growth Impact showcases the results of a four-year collaboration between Symbiotics, UBS and SECO
Tuesday 20th, July 2021The fourth and final SME Finance Loans for Growth (LFG) impact report shows how SMEs in emerging and frontier markets benefit from access to finance, as well as how they were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
After four years of annual data collection, we find a positive relationship bet
MicroFund for Women supports microentrepreneurs during COVID-19 pandemic
Wednesday 9th, June 2021Hassan Romani, Senior Investment Analyst, Europe, Central Asia & MENA
With the pandemic hitting the Middle East in the first quarter of 2020, Jordan was one of the first countries to swiftly implement strict travel restrictions and to introduce both full and partial lockdowns. While these m
Press release: Symbiotics arranges a Sustainability Bond in Armenia with AraratBank for USD 14.5 million
Tuesday 8th, June 2021Symbiotics, the leading market access platform for impact investing, has arranged a USD 14.5 million Sustainability Bond for AraratBank.
Proparco, the private sector financing arm of Agence Française de Développement Group (AFD Group), has made a USD 5 million subscription to this Sustainabilit
Press release: Symbiotics launches the first Sustainability Bond in Georgia with MFO Crystal for USD 5 million in local currency equivalent
Monday 17th, May 2021Symbiotics, the leading market access platform for impact investing, has arranged the first Sustainability Bond ever issued in Georgia by raising USD 5 million in Georgian Lari equivalent for JSC MFO Crystal (“Crystal”).
The proceeds of the Sustainability Bond will be used to finance both Soc
The third snapshot in the Covid-19 CGAP-Symbiotics series is available
Wednesday 28th, April 2021This latest update confirms that the microfinance sector remains resilient and on its way to a cautious and gradual recovery, but the pace depends on type of institution, region, and capital buffers.
Read the latest snapshot with a spotlight on Latin America: Snapshot: MFIs During the Crisis – Ap
Press release: IFU and Symbiotics provide USD 22.5 million in financing to develop financial inclusion in Africa through a multi-currency bond
Thursday 22nd, April 2021The Investment Fund for Developing Countries (IFU) established by the Danish Government has partnered with Symbiotics to provide debt financing to between 15 and 20 financial institutions in Africa through a multi-currency impact bond. The main impact objective of this investment is to foster develo
Press release: Symbiotics launches Tameo, an independent spin-off focusing on enhancing impact funds with support services
Thursday 22nd, April 2021Symbiotics is pleased to announce the launch of Tameo Impact Fund Solutions, a new company offering reference products to impact investors and fund managers, centered around research solutions (surveys, indexes, benchmarks, publications), impact solutions (labelling, reporting, measurement, verifica
Joint interview – Roland Dominicé & Jonathan Normand: Symbiotics becomes a B Corp™
Thursday 15th, April 2021Joint interview with Roland Dominicé, CEO of Symbiotics and Jonathan Normand, founding Director of B Lab Switzerland.
Symbiotics is one of the pioneering and leading actors in the field of impact investing. Could you please tell us a little bit more about the company?
Roland Dominicé: We sta
Press release: Symbiotics becomes a Certified B Corporation®; rated among the highest in Switzerland
Thursday 15th, April 2021Symbiotics is proud to announce that the firm has completed the process to become a Certified B Corporation®, joining a global community of companies assessed on the highest standards of social and environmental performance and ethical business practices.
Symbiotics was certified by the non-profit
Symbiotics won the Award for innovation – bond structure (green bond) category in Environmental Finance’s 2021 Bond Awards
Wednesday 31st, March 2021We are delighted to announce that the Green bond we structured for Pan Asia Banking corporation in Sri Lanka, for a total volume of LKR 1.42 billion (USD 7.75 million), won the Award for innovation – bond structure (green bond) category in Environmental Finance’s 2021 Bond Awards.
FIRST GREEN B
Returning to microfinance field visits in India
Wednesday 24th, February 2021Shefali’s travel notes, Investment Analyst in Singapore
When I arrived in India a couple weeks ago, after many months confined in Singapore, the most bizarre thing of all that struck me was how normal things appeared. At least superficially. The usual hustle and bustle on the streets has resumed
The second snapshot in the Covid-19 CGAP-Symbiotics series is available
Tuesday 23rd, February 2021This update confirms that MFIs remain resilient. A year into the COVID-19 pandemic, liquidity concerns in the microfinance sector have not materialized as anticipated. Where loan payments moratoria ended, repayments rates have been encouraging. Disbursements are also picking up again, closer to what
KfW Development Bank invests EUR 20 million in the Regional MSME Investment Fund for Sub-Saharan Africa (REGMIFA)
Thursday 14th, January 2021REGMIFA, an impact investment fund advised by Symbiotics, has attracted a further EUR 20 million from German-based KfW to promote private investment under the G20 Compact with Africa program, initiated under the German G20 presidency. KfW manages this investment on behalf of the German Federal Minis
Symbiotics launches COP 35,8 billion (USD 10,5 million) Social Bond with La Hipotecaria Colombia
Wednesday 23rd, December 2020Symbiotics, the leading market access platform for impact investing, has arranged its first Social Bond to be used for affordable housing and associated household financing, by means of a loan in local currency of COP 35,8 billion (USD 10,5 million) for La Hipotecaria Compañía de Financiamiento (
Press release: Invethos and Symbiotics partner up through enhanced Emerging Impact Bond Fund
Monday 30th, November 2020Invethos, a sustainable wealth manager, and Symbiotics, the leading market access platform for impact investing, have established a partnership through the enhanced Emerging Impact Bond Fund (EIBF). Since Symbiotics launched the fund in 2015, EIBF has built a five-year track record investing predomi
Press release: Symbiotics launches first AMD 5,283,232,000 (USD 10,700,000) Sustainability Bond with ARMECONOMBANK OJSC in Armenia
Monday 30th, November 2020Symbiotics, the leading market access platform for impact investing, has arranged its first Sustainability Bond, that is also the first such bond in Armenia, by raising AMD 5,283,232,000 (USD 10,700,000) in local currency for ARMECONOMBANK OJSC (“AEB”).
This bond is issued via Symbiotics’ s
Press release: Ameriabank raises Tier 2 Capital from Symbiotics
Friday 27th, November 2020Symbiotics has entered into a long-term subordinated loan agreement with Ameriabank for USD 15 million, with possible increase of up to USD 25 million. The funds qualify as Bank Tier 2 capital instrument under Basel III framework and are aimed at strengthening the overall capital position of the Ban
CGAP and Symbiotics partner to monitor COVID-19’s impact on Microfinance
Tuesday 17th, November 2020CGAP and Symbiotics launched a partnership to track and analyze the performance of hundreds of microfinance institutions (MFIs) across the world over the next six months, in an ongoing effort to shed light on how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the microfinance sector.
The COVID-19 pandemic ha
Press release: Private asset impact fund ecosystem worth over USD 30 billion – PAIF Report 2020
Thursday 29th, October 2020Symbiotics publishes its inaugural global impact fund survey, merging its historical microfinance investment vehicle survey, started with the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP) in 2007, and its private debt impact fund survey, started with the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) in 2018
Press release: Symbiotics launches USD 17.14 million (INR 1,260,000,000) Bond to finance Indian C&I Solar developer Fourth Partner Energy Limited
Wednesday 16th, September 2020Symbiotics, the leading market access platform for impact investing, has arranged its first bond, the proceeds of which are solely used to finance renewable energy projects. It raised USD 17.14 million (INR 1,260,000,000) for Fourth Partner Energy Limited (“Fourth Partner Energy”), a commercial
Press release: Symbiotics appoints Théodore Economou as head of Asset Management
Tuesday 1st, September 2020Symbiotics SA, the leading market access platform in impact investing, today announced the appointment of Théodore Economou to the position of head of Asset Management. Théodore will lead a consolidated asset management function within Symbiotics that will regroup client management, product manage
Press release: Symbiotics launches USD 6.75 million (INR 506,250,000) Social Bond with Samunnati Financial Intermediation & Services Private Limited in India
Thursday 27th, August 2020Symbiotics, the leading market access platform for impact investing, has arranged a Social Bond, raising USD 6.75 million in local currency (INR 506,250,000) for Samunnati Financial Intermediation & Services Private Limited (“Samunnati”), a non-banking financial company (NBFC) in India.
T
Press Release: Symbiotics launches first USD 10.25 million Social Bond with Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito ABACO in Peru
Tuesday 4th, August 2020Geneva, August 4, 2020 – Symbiotics, the leading market access platform for impact investing, has arranged its first Social Bond, raising USD 10.25 million (PEN 36.1 million) for Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito ABACO (“ABACO”), a credit institution in Peru.
This bond is issued via Symbiot
Press Release: Symbiotics expands its Flagship Industry Survey – From Microfinance Funds to Private Asset Impact Funds
Tuesday 30th, June 2020Geneva, June 30, 2020 – Building on 15 years of track record in collecting and reporting data on the financial and social performance of Microfinance Investment Vehicles (MIVs), Symbiotics is broadening its fund research expertise with a new survey on Private Asset Impact Funds (PAIF Survey). Tar
Press Release: Symbiotics launches first USD 7.75 million Green Bond with Pan Asia Banking Corporation
Tuesday 16th, June 2020Geneva, June 16, 2020 – Symbiotics, the leading market access platform for impact investing, has arranged its first Green Bond, raising USD 7.75 million (LKR 1.42 billion) for Pan Asia Banking Corporation, a prominent commercial bank in Sri Lanka. The main investor in the bond is SEB, the major N
Press Release: FINCA Bank Georgia Expands Lending to MSME with 15 million GEL injection from Symbiotics
Wednesday 3rd, June 2020Tbilisi, June 3, 2020 – Today, a new agreement for the senior debt was signed between Symbiotics and FINCA Bank Georgia by which Symbiotics injects 15 million GEL to further support MSME lending programs of FINCA Bank Georgia.
“It is very important for FINCA Bank Georgia that partnership with
Press Release: Symbiotics and High Impact Capital Advisors (HICA) announce new USD 8.9 million loan agreement for CD Finance
Friday 15th, May 2020Geneva, 15 May 2020 – Symbiotics, with the support of High Impact Capital Advisors (HICA) has raised CNY 63,000,000 (approx. USD 8,900,000) for CD Finance, a Chinese microfinance company focused on empowering the rural economy and the development of underserved groups, thereby alleviating poverty.
New report: SME Finance Loans for Growth Impact Report 2019
Thursday 16th, April 2020We are pleased to provide you with the SME Finance Loans for Growth Impact Report 2019.
This report is the third 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 entrepreneurship
Press Release: ASN Bank invests USD 16.2 million in the Regional MSME Investment Fund for Sub-Saharan Africa (REGMIFA)
Wednesday 5th, February 2020Geneva, 5 February 2020 – Netherlands-based ASN Bank has invested USD 16.2 million debt in the REGMIFA Fund to foster development in Sub-Saharan Africa through employment creation, income generation and poverty alleviation. With ASN Bank the first private investor is joining REGMIFA that endorses
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
Start: 11:10 / End: 21:10
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
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
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
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
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 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.
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
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
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
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
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