Press Releases

Washington, DC, November 8, 2011 — The Smart Campaign, a global initiative to implement strong client protection standards and practices throughout the microfinance industry, today released "Implementing Client Protection in Microfinance: State of the Practice, 2011," its first annual report focused on implementation of the Campaign’s core Client Protection Principles.

$350,000 grant will fund training, on-site assessments and tools to foster adherence to Client Protection Principles at leading Indian MFIs.

Washington, DC, October 25, 2011 — The Smart Campaign, a global initiative to incorporate strong client protection principles across the microfinance industry, today received a grant of $350,000 USD from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to help Indian MFIs incorporate client protection practices into their operations.

Client Protection Principles modified to embrace wider product array and non-discrimination principle

Washington, DC, July 20, 2011 — The microfinance industry’s Client Protection Principles (CPPs) are now seven.  They have been expanded to address multiple financial products and the concept of “non-discrimination.”

Los Principios de Protección al Cliente se han modificado con el fin de abarcar de una manera más amplia la gama de productos y el principio de no discriminación.

Washington, DC, Julio 20, 2011 — Los Principios de Protección al Cliente de la industria de las microfinanzas son ahora siete. Se han ampliado con el fin de abarcar múltiples productos financieros y el concepto de “no discriminación.”

The Smart Campaign praises company’s training of staff and clients on standards of ethical behavior

Washington, DC, June 2, 2011 — The Smart Campaign, a global initiative to incorporate strong client protection principles across the microfinance industry, today recognized Sahayata Microfinance Private Limited (Sahayata) for its outstanding efforts to train both staff and clients on institutional standards of ethical behavior. Sahayata’s training document, “Illustrations and Activities for Training Loan Officers on Customers’ Rights and Responsibilities,” is now available as a “good practice” example on the Smart Campaign website.

The Smart Campaign applauds company’s staff training on ethical behavior

Washington, DC, June 2, 2011 — The Smart Campaign, a global initiative to incorporate strong client protection principles across the microfinance industry, today recognized Grameen Financial Services Pvt. Ltd. (GFSPL) for its efforts to train staff on institutional standards of ethical behavior. GFSPL was honored by the Smart Campaign’s “Call for Tools: Training Staff for Ethical Behavior” for its “Code of Conduct E-learning Module,” which tests employees’ knowledge of workplace ethics.

The Smart Campaign commends company’s staff training on ethical behavior

Washington, DC, June 2, 2011 — The Smart Campaign, a global initiative to incorporate strong client protection principles across the microfinance industry, today recognized Compartamos Banco for its efforts to train staff on institutional standards of ethical behavior.

Washington, D.C., March 10, 2011 — The Smart Campaign, a global initiative to incorporate strong client protection principles across the microfinance industry, today released a tool tailored for Indian microfinance institutions (MFIs) using Grameen-style “group of groups” lending methodology.

The Smart Campaign applauds company’s policy on respectful practices in loan recovery

Washington, DC, March 18, 2011 — The Smart Campaign, a global initiative to incorporate strong client protection principles across the microfinance industry, today recognized Swadhaar FinServe Pvt. Ltd. (SFPL) for its outstanding efforts to ensure that clients are treated with dignity, even when they fail to meet their contractual commitments.

Washington, D.C., February 8, 2011 -- The Smart Campaign, a global initiative to incorporate strong client protection principles across the microfinance industry, today announced a plan to launch a certification process that will enable microfinance institutions (MFIs) worldwide to demonstrate their adherence to the Campaign's core Client Protection Principles as verified by third-party assessors.