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Micronomore Universe 2010 Conference

Soliman Unfair to the president

SEEDFINANCE Program for the Poor

In marked contrast to Soliman’s promotion of mendicancy is that of the ongoing plan of Seedfinance Corp., a microfinance advocate, that is making inroads in the fight against poverty. We attended a strategy meeting in Cebu last week of Seedfinance and its partners, which include rural banks, microfinance firms, cooperatives and foreign nongovernment organizations, and we cannot but feel proud about the way they empower the poor, so unlike the dole-out mentality that Soliman fosters. Under the Seedfinance concept, they fund the programs of rural banks, co-ops and microfinance that are meant to help the poor.

Read more -> http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/opinion/2966-soliman-unfair-to-the-president

Posted on November 2, 2010
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Micro No More Universe 3D Awards 2010

The Micro No More Universe 3D Awards aims to celebrate, give due recognition and provide incentives to innovative micro- or small entrepreneurs for using mobile technology, environment-friendly methodologies and local resources utilization in bringing his/her enterprise to the level of success, as well as to underscore business models that will build mass consciousness to the public that the use of technology, clean/renewable energy and utilization local resources are effective tools for sustainable enterprise development.

The Micro No More Universe 3D Awards is a competition organized by SEEDFINANCE aimed at finding successful PFI-supported client-operated enterprises that have made the most of the 3 dimensions (MNM) of business innovations in the fields of:

  1. Mobile and Electronic Technology – the client uses, even on a limited scale, mobile phone or ATM for his/her business transactions. This may include payment and collection system using either SMART Money or through electronic banking of the PFI or ATM services.
  2. Nature-friendly Methods – the client uses, even on a limited scale, clean/renewable energy to power up his/her enterprise or alternative fuel sources and recycling initiatives.
  3. Maximization of local resources – the client is developing or patronizing locally-available supply of raw materials for his/her business and is not entirely dependent on semi-finished products of transnational corporations.

PRIZES AT STAKE

For the Micro No More Universe 3D Awards Grand Prize Winner, the winning client will receive a PLDT Business Connectivity package (Computer unit with internet connection), its Partner Financial Institution will also receive an office gadget and as for its RPO/BDA, a brand new handycam. First Runner-Up Client will receive an Internet business console courtesy of talk and Text and lastly, the Second Runner-Up winning client will get to take home a Retailer Phone/SIM Business Package with SMART Money Card.

VOTE Now for your favorite micro-entrepreneur

Posted on October 15, 2010
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The Micro-No-More (MNM) Movement

about-micronomoreThe Micro-No-More (MNM) Movement is a movement of like-minded individuals and organizations in the micro- and SME- (small, medium-enterprise) finance industry in the Philippines and around the globe. Launched in November 2008 in the central island of Leyte in the Philippines, the basis of unity of the MNM Movement is the need to build awareness and spur concerted action towards building truly economically self-sustaining communities (ESSCs) or economically empowered communities, and thus coordinate the mobilization of technical and financial resources in sustaining these communities. More…

Posted on April 16, 2009
Micronomore | 2 Comments

The Micro-No-More Perspective

Micro No More Perspective - micronomore.comMicrofinance is not the catch-all cure for poverty and economic stagnation. It should have a perspective of the micro- going beyond its boundaries/limitations, growing with the times, adapting to the changes in the macro-economic environment, providing or laying down the groundwork for far-reaching solutions to present economic dire straits. Without a perspective of growth, microfinance will forever be in our midst as poverty will last forever (Perez 2008). More…

Posted on April 16, 2009
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Smart partners with Seedfinance

MANILA, Philippines – Smart Communications Inc. (SMART) has collaborated with SEEDFINANCE Corp., a provider of wholesale credit to Filipino microfinance institutions (MFIs) and small enterprises, to equip island-based MFIs with mobile-based financial products and technologies that will allow them to send and receive funds using SMART mobile phones.

Dubbed as the Islands Activation Program (IAP), the initiative utilizes Smart Money as a fast and secure alternative to send and receive funds in islands or areas where there is little or no access to formal financial services, and will benefit members of close to a hundred MFIs in various parts of the Philippines.

SEEDFINANCE works with 73 cooperatives with an aggregate clientele base of 1.2 million poor and low-income people.

It signed an agreement with ENCASH to install automated teller machines (ATM) with allied cooperatives for the speedier and more secure receiving and dispensing of cash.

SEEDFINANCE chairman Carlos Ani said in a press briefing that the potential for the deployment of ATMs and starting mobile banking initiatives is immeasurable.

Read more -> http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=611701&publicationSubCategoryId=74

Posted on September 15, 2010
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Encash’s advocacy

Encash, owner of a network of ATMs servicing hard-to-reach areas in the countryside, and Seedfinance, a nongovernment organization providing financial services to 61 member-cooperatives, will sign a memorandum of agreement for the country’s first-ever Hosted Core Banking System (HCBS) at the Top of the Citi, Citibank Tower, Valero Street, Makati. The HCBS will provide advanced savings deposits accounting for cooperatives and allow a platform to serve the bottom-of-the-economic-pyramid, that include financial inclusion and advanced financial services

This looming partnership between Encash and Seedfinance establishing the HCBS will enable cooperatives to offer financial services that before were enjoyed only by large-bank users. When running full steam, the HCBS will be offered to all cooperatives, countrywide.

Also, since the HCBS will be interfaced to the Encash ATM switch, which, in turn, is connected to the MegaLink switch, cooperative cardholders will eventually be able to withdraw funds from any ATM in the country. The business impact of the tie-up is expected to alter the banking landscape with a hitherto unheard-of banking innovation.

Read more -> http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/opinion/1008-sober-take-on-pag-ibig-row

Posted on September 15, 2010
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ATM developer ENCASH eyes foreign partners for expansion

MANILA, Philippines – Independent ATM developer ENCASH is in talks with potential foreign investors for a strategic partnership as the outsourcing of automated teller machines
(ATMs) remains in huge demand, the company’s top executive said.

ENCASH specializes in outsourcing ATM services and its accompanying infrastructure, mainly targeting thrift and rural banks, cooperative banks and cooperatives.

Eric Severino, ENCASH chief executive officer said among the prospective foreign investors are Microvest (USA), Planet Finance (France), Responsibility (Switzerland), Developing World Markets, SNS and Oikocredit.

To grow faster, we need a strategic partner or partners,” he said in a press briefing yesterday.

A member of the MegaLink network, ENCASH has already deployed 256 ATMs and registered transactions worth more than P5 billion at the end of August 2010.

The outsourcing specialist is aiming to hit the 300 ATM mark by the end of 2010, and double this year’s output next year.

Recently, it signed an agreement for the initial fielding of several ATMs to cooperatives allied with SeedFinance, a specialized financing firm with principal focus on microfinance institutions (MFIs), including rural banks and cooperatives.

SeedFinance is currently working with 73 MFIs with an aggregate clientele base of 1.2 million.

Read more -> http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=610228&publicationSubCategoryId=66

Posted on September 14, 2010
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Register now on Micronomore Universe Stakeholders Conference 2010

Its final, Mark your calendar!

This year’s Micronomore Universe National Stakeholders Conference will be held on Oct. 20, 2010 in Cebu City.

Register now:
http://www.micronomore.com/register

Micro No More takes you to a whole new universe of mobility, accessibility, affordability and reliability in the provision of much needed financial and business development services to the micro- and small entrepreneurs in island and mountain communities that remain un-served and under-served by traditional financial institutions.

The Micro No More Universe – the whole socio-economic performance realm where MFIs strengthen themselves, adhere to their socio-economic VMGs, and provide the most responsive products and services to their clients for that ultimate impact and effect on the clients’ familial and economic life.

This year 2010, we take off from our foundations of Micro No More 2008 and Micro No More – No Borders of 2009, blasting off to the farthest reaches of this empowering MSME finance advocacy.

Sign up now to reserve a seat!
http://www.micronomore.com/register

Posted on August 16, 2010
Events, Micronomore | 2 Comments

Seedfinance Corporation, Philippines – Investment News

The Philippines is an archipelago of 7,107 islands. With an estimated population of about 92 million people, the Philippines is the world’s twelfth most populous country. 40% are considered poor. Poverty is concentrated in rural areas and in the sprawling urban slums. Considering the nature of employment and business in the Philippines, the presence and availability of microfinance is vital: 97% of total enterprises in the Philippines are micro-enterprises; 4.1 million families who belong to the lowest income strata are engaged in micro-enterprise activities, and many of the poorest manage at least two businesses. Even though there has been strong government support to develop the microfinance industry throughout the country, only 33% of the people concerned are reached by microfinance.

In April this year, responsAbility gave its first loan to Seedfinance Corporation. Seedfinance Corporation is an apex institution, which provides financial services to small microfinance institutions (MFIs), farmers’ organizations and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Given their size and small-scale operations, these institutions are usually unable to access financial services from commercial banks or international investors.

Funding via Seedfinance is a great opportunity for responsAbility to support small institutions that otherwise would be too risky and costly to finance directly. The small MFIs and farmers’ organizations play an important role in terms of social impact, as they can reach clients in remote rural areas, where otherwise no financial services are provided.

Located in Pasig City in the Philippines, Seedfinance not only provides financial services to small institutions, but also technical assistance and capacity-building programs that are vital to small start-up MFIs and SMEs.

By the end of 2009, Seedfinance provided funding to 71 MFIs and six SMEs located in various regions of the country – (except in the western part of Mindanao, which remains a conflict area).

Source: http://www.responsability.com/site/index.cfm?id_art=62525&vsprache=EN

Posted on August 1, 2010
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Sustainability Has No Place in the Profit System

Application of sustainability principles to the profit system is a contradiction. When renewable energy, coming from the earth’s resources is used to power up economy and enterprises, the profit interests of the oil cartel will be displaced. Manufacturers produce materials and technologies that easily break down or reach their obsolete stage faster than they should to generate more demands from repeat and new generation customers. Although this practice contributes large amounts of waste that pollutes the earth, in the profit system competition, this is the only way to sustain. Sustainability is the adversary of profitability. More

Posted on March 28, 2010
Events, Investments, Micronomore | 1 Comment

Micronomore Survey Invitation

We would appreciate your response. Please take a minute to complete the following survey.

http://questionpro.com/t/CGmDkZDPUkB

All responses will be secured. Thank you in advance for your valuable input. Your input will be used to ensure that we continue to meet your needs at the best way possible. We appreciate your trust and look forward to serving you in the future. More…

Posted on January 19, 2010
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ENCASH & SEEDFINANCE INK AGREEMENT


ENCASH: Creating a Niche in the Industry

ENCASH has made great inroads in providing ATM service to the Philippine countryside. As the first Independent ATM Deployer in the Philippines, ENCASH provides privately-owned ATMs to areas not deemed viable by commercial banks, allowing users in remote locations to conveniently obtain access to their finances. An ENCASH ATM may be found in over seventy (70) partner rural banks, cooperatives, tourist destinations, town halls and other partner entities in more than forty (40) provinces all over the country. More…

Posted on November 13, 2009
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Global Financial Crisis – Visualized

The global financial crisis, brewing for a while, really started to show its effects in the middle of 2007 and into 2008. Around the world stock markets have fallen, large financial institutions have collapsed or been bought out, and governments in even the wealthiest nations have had to come up with rescue packages to bail out their financial systems. More…

Posted on November 8, 2009
Events, Micronomore | 4 Comments

SMART, Seed Finance partner to launch inter-island mobile money solution

Leading wireless services provider, Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) has collaborated with SEEDFINANCE Corporation, a provider of wholesale credit to Filipino microfinance institutions and small enterprises, to equip island-based microfinance institutions with mobile-based financial products and technologies that will allow them to send and receive funds using SMART mobile phones.

Dubbed as the Islands Activation Program, the initiative will utilize Smart Money as a fast and secure alternative to send and receive funds in islands or areas where there is little or no access to formal financial services, and will benefit members of close to a hundred microfinance institutions in various parts of the Philippines. More…

Posted on November 6, 2009
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The 2009 Video-Shoot Contest: MNM Microfinance ‘n Motion

  1. Contest is open to any of the 67 presently active PFIs (partners) of SEEDFINANCE
  2. The subject of the video may either be one of the following:
    • A micro-entrepreneur client of the PFI in action at her/his enterprise
    • An SME or graduating-micro client of the PFI in action at her/his enterprise
  3. The contest focuses on the subject. Styled as an interview, the video must capture the client at work, and telling her story by answering five (5) basic questions: More…

Posted on November 5, 2009
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The 2009 SEED FINANCE Stakeholders Conference

“MICRONOMORE, NO BORDERS!”

Mark your calendar on Nov. 26-27, 2009 in Luzon!

Consistently as in years past, this year’s conference again promises you more in learning, sharing, projecting, visioning and rising above the challenges!

More…

Posted on September 11, 2009
Events, Investments, Micronomore | 3 Comments

UP, UP, AND AWAY, SUPER-SUMAN!!!

UP, UP, AND AWAY, SUPER-SUMAN - Aling Dionesia Dela Pena, Oroquieta CityOne hardly will notice Aling Dionesia in that gathering of small and medium-scale entrepreneurs, government officials, cooperative officers, and other attendees to the Paglaum MPC – SEEDFINANCE SME MicroPlus product launch that sunny afternoon of June 19, 2009. Unassuming and soft-spoken as this lady is, who would believe she is the owner of a thriving enterprise that wows not only natives of Oroquieta in Misamis Occidental but also balikbayans and tourists from the U.S., Japan, Hongkong, and other countries. Only when she began asking questions about the SME facility being introduced by Paglaum Multi-Purpose Cooperative (where she is a member) and SEEDFINANCE will you be able to discern the business instincts underneath that homely, motherly figure. More…

Posted on September 10, 2009
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Empowerment comes in all shapes and sizes

(ROWENA PARAGADOS – Don’t underestimate this lady)

<img class=“alignleft size-full wp-image-153″ src=”http://www.micronomore.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/rowena-paragados.jpg” title=”Empowerment comes in all shapes and sizes – Rowena Paragados” alt=”Empowerment comes in all shapes and sizes – Rowena Paragados”>The forum held by Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LMPC) and SEEDFINANCE Corporation especially for MSME clients that June 2009 morning was well-attended. The atmosphere was formal, and to add to the formality, a very unassuming lady with a somehow imposing size, sits at a corner waiting for her turn to share her experiences and sign the agreements for the SME loan facility being offered at that time. More…

Posted on September 10, 2009
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MICRO-PLUS as Micronomore

micronomore-as-micro-plusConsistent with the development perspective of bringing micro-entrepreneurs to the next level of economic growth, a new financial product was recently piloted to 3 cooperatives, namely: Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Metro Ormoc Community Cooperative and Paglaum Multi-Purpose Cooperative.

This SME financing product, named as Micro-Plus, is designed for the partners’ microfinance graduates who have successfully increased their asset size and expanded their business reach. Borrower Risk Rating (BRR) System, used by Small Business Corporartion (SBC) and several banks, is employed in selecting clients for the MICRO-PLUS. More…

Posted on April 17, 2009
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