Accion International: A Leader in Global Microfinance and Investing

Accion International is a pioneering force in global microfinance and investing. Founded in 1961, Accion has been a leader in providing financial services to low-income individuals and entrepreneurs.

Accion's mission is to create a financially inclusive world by providing access to affordable financial services. By doing so, they aim to help people improve their economic well-being and break the cycle of poverty.

Accion has a strong presence in over 40 countries, with a network of partners and local organizations that share their vision of financial inclusion.

Our customer is a crucial part of Accion International's mission. They are the three billion people who are left out of or poorly served by the financial sector.

Accion International's customer base is vast and diverse, with many individuals and families struggling to access basic financial services. They may live in rural areas with limited banking options or be part of marginalized communities with few financial resources.

Accion International's customer is not just a statistic, but a real person with financial needs and aspirations. They deserve access to high-quality, affordable financial solutions that can help them improve their lives.

Accion International has been working to alleviate poverty and promote financial inclusion for over 60 years, with a strong focus on microfinance and financial education.

Accion International has a global presence with operations in 32 countries, serving over 6 million clients worldwide.

Their mission is to provide access to financial services for the poor, enabling them to improve their economic well-being and break the cycle of poverty.

Accion International has a strong commitment to financial inclusion, with a goal of reaching 10 million clients by 2025.

Microfinance is a way to provide financial services to people who are often overlooked by traditional banks, such as the poor and small business owners.

Accion International is a pioneer in this field, having been founded in 1961 with the goal of providing microloans to entrepreneurs in Latin America.

The organization's work is built on the idea that with access to small amounts of capital, people can start or grow their own businesses and improve their economic stability.

In fact, Accion's first loan was made in 1961 to a Mexican entrepreneur who used the funds to buy a sewing machine and start a small textile business.

Since then, Accion has grown to become one of the largest microfinance institutions in the world, with operations in 32 countries.

Accion's microfinance model is based on providing small loans, known as "microloans", to entrepreneurs who may not have the credit history or collateral to qualify for traditional bank loans.

These microloans are typically small, ranging from $300 to $5,000, and are designed to be repaid over a short period of time, usually 6-18 months.

Accion International has a rich history that spans over 60 years. Founded in 1961 by Matt Flannery's father, George Bradley Flannery, Accion International began its mission to provide financial services to the poor.

In the early 1970s, Accion International started its first microfinance program in Mexico. This marked the beginning of the organization's focus on serving low-income entrepreneurs.

Accion International expanded its operations to Latin America in the 1980s, establishing programs in several countries. This expansion helped the organization reach more people in need.

By the 1990s, Accion International had already served over 1 million clients. The organization's growth continued, and it became a leading microfinance institution.

Today, Accion International operates in 30 countries worldwide, providing financial services to millions of people. Its mission remains the same: to serve the poor and low-income individuals.

Accion International has a rich history that spans several continents. In 2009 and 2010, the organization helped to start microfinance institutions in underserved areas of Inner Mongolia, Cameroon, and Brazil.

Accion's efforts in these regions have made a significant impact on the lives of many people. They have provided access to financial services for those who need it most.

By doing so, Accion has played a crucial role in promoting financial inclusion and economic growth in these areas.

In 1961, the company began offering a self-help program for customers, which included a pamphlet and a series of films that provided guidance on using the product.

This self-help program was a key factor in the company's success during this period.

The program was well-received by customers, who appreciated the personalized support and guidance it provided.

By 1965, the company had expanded its self-help program to include a hotline for customers to call with questions or concerns.

The hotline was staffed by knowledgeable representatives who could provide immediate assistance and guidance.

The company's focus on self-help continued to pay off, with sales increasing steadily throughout the decade.

By 1972, the company had established a reputation as a leader in the industry, with a strong focus on empowering customers to help themselves.

Accion has a long history of helping underserved communities around the world. In 2009 and 2010, Accion helped to start microfinance institutions in areas that needed it most, such as Inner Mongolia, Cameroon, and Brazil.

These countries presented unique challenges, but Accion was up for the task. By providing microfinance services, Accion aimed to improve the lives of people living in these underserved areas.

Accion's work in these regions was a significant step in expanding access to financial services. By doing so, Accion helped to bridge the gap between the haves and have-nots.

The Center for Financial Inclusion (CFI) was established as an independent think tank housed at Accion.

Accion helped start microfinance institutions in underserved areas of Inner Mongolia, Cameroon, and Brazil in 2009 and 2010.

The CFI works to better serve, protect, and empower clients.

Their business model is intentionally participatory, collaborative, and consultative.

The CFI focuses on inclusive finance needs directly related to improving outcomes for the poor.

They work on improving consumer protection and empowerment, as well as market infrastructure issues.

The CFI is also elevating work in three key areas of focus: climate change, gender inequality, and data opportunities and risks.

They aim to enable 3 billion people who are left out of or poorly served by the financial sector to improve their lives.

Accion International has been a pioneer in microfinance since 1961, with a focus on serving the world's poorest people. They have a long history of innovation and leadership in this field.

Their approach is centered around providing small loans to entrepreneurs and small business owners, known as microcredit, which helps them to invest in their businesses and improve their livelihoods.

Accion International has a strong presence in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a network of partners and clients across the region. They have a deep understanding of the local context and are able to tailor their services to meet the specific needs of each community.

Their goal is to achieve financial inclusion and economic development in the countries they serve, by providing access to financial services and promoting entrepreneurship and economic growth.

In the United States, ACCION brought its microlending model home in 1991 to address growing income inequality and unemployment.

The first U.S. ACCION office was opened in Brooklyn, New York City's borough, in 1991, targeting small business owners who faced significant barriers to financing.

Many of the people helped by ACCION in the United States were Hispanics, such as Ulvada Alvarado, a Mexican immigrant and single mother of four.

By 1997, the program had 344 active borrowers who had taken out a total of $1.4 million in loans.

ACCION New York became the first microcredit organization to sell a package of loans to an investor in 1996.

In 1999, revenue from interest and fees paid 45 percent of the organization's operating costs, with the remainder covered by grants.

ACCION Texas began making loans in San Antonio in 1994, armed with a $50,000 grant and $125,000 to lend.

By midyear 2004, ACCION Texas had booked 5,678 loans totaling $29.46 million to 3,460 small business owners.

The average loan that year was $7,256, and the average interest rate was only 12 percent annually.

ACCION Texas was losing money on the loans but was making up the deficit in grants and donations, often from banks meeting their Community Reinvestment Act requirements.

Accion International has received numerous awards and recognitions for its work in the fintech industry. One notable achievement is being included in Institutional Investor's "Fintech Finance 40" list every year since 2014.

Accion's inclusion in this list highlights its leadership in the fintech revolution. The list ranks financiers who are driving innovation and change in the industry.

Accion has also been recognized for its impact investing efforts, being included in ImpactAssets 50 (IA 50) for six consecutive years. This prestigious list is the only free, public, searchable database of outstanding impact investing fund managers.

Here are some of Accion's notable awards and recognitions:

Accion has been recognized for its innovative work in the fintech industry. It's no surprise, given its inclusion in Institutional Investor's "Fintech Finance 40" every year since 2014. This prestigious list ranks the top financiers leading the fintech revolution.

Accion's commitment to impact investing has also earned it a spot in the ImpactAssets 50 (IA 50) for six consecutive years. IA 50 is the only free, public, searchable database of outstanding impact investing fund managers.

Here are some of Accion's notable awards and recognitions:

Accion Global Investments has invested in over twenty years of experience in microfinance institutions and innovative financial service providers.

They work closely with Accion Global Advisory Solutions and regional teams to provide strategic and operational support to each portfolio company.

The goal is to develop commercially sustainable businesses that realize social and financial returns.

Over twenty years, Accion has founded, invested in, and helped operate some of the world's leading microfinance institutions and innovative financial service providers.

This has built demonstration models for the market and catalyzed the capital markets to transform financial services for the underserved.