Our Chief Investment Officer, Fred Kooij and Chief Impact Officer, Amy Clarke, were asked by Citywire Wealth Manager – Word on Wealth Street – what our best investment decision has been. A difficult one to pick, but our CIOs chose
Microfinance
In 2017, we allocated to microfinance for clients in portfolios. We partner with two of the most credible microfinance funds in the market, as we are keenly aware of some of the controversies with investing in microfinance (e.g. prohibitively high interest rates for the end users).
Given its diversification of end borrowers and location, and very low default rates, microfinance generates steady and uncorrelated returns to the wider markets which is extremely attractive, especially in volatile markets. This was demonstrated throughout 2018, when it was one of the biggest contributors to our overall performance.
Microfinance also affords us strong impact given its focus on financial empowerment, specifically through the lens of gender equality. Investing in women helps deconstruct patriarchy and reduce poverty and it plays a powerful role in the creation of more egalitarian societies. Finally, both funds we use have beneficiary ratios in excess of 75% female.
