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.
In its Call for Tools, the Smart Campaign asked microfinance institutions (MFIs) from around the world to submit examples of their staff training materials on ethical behavior to showcase in its collection of client protection resources. “Sahayata was selected as a winner because their practical tool is easy to create, use, and understand,” said Smart Campaign Tool Development Specialist Leah Wardle. “I think their illustrations and activities will appeal to a wide range of institutions.
“Sahayata’s entries demonstrate what an institution can do to ensure that both staff and clients know how ethical standards should influence customer services,” said Wardle. “Field staff need practical training that introduces them to real-life examples of ethical dilemmas. Similarly, clients should know their rights and responsibilities so they can identify mistreatment and fulfill their own obligations.”
The Smart Campaign’s Client Protection Principles state that MFIs must maintain high ethical standards in their interactions with microfinance clients and ensure that adequate safeguards are in place to detect and correct corruption or mistreatment of clients. Sahayata’s “Illustrations and Activities for Training Loan Officers on Customers’ Rights and Responsibilities” can help MFIs design their own tools to help them achieve this. Available in both English and Spanish, this tool is one of many available on the Smart Campaign’s website, www.smartcampaign.org.
“Through our regular Call for Tools, the Smart Campaign is compiling the best resources on client protection available in the microfinance industry, and making them available to organizations worldwide through online toolkits,” said Smart Campaign Director Isabelle Barrès.
About the Smart Campaign
The Smart Campaign is a global campaign consisting of microfinance leaders from around the world who believe that protecting clients is not only the right thing to do but the smart thing to do. To date, over 1,871 microfinance and other financial institutions, microfinance support organizations, investors, donors, and individual industry professionals have pledged adherence to the Smart Campaign’s core Client Protection Principles. By providing microfinance institutions with the tools and resources they need to deliver transparent, respectful, and prudent financial services to all clients, the Smart Campaign is helping the industry maintain a dual focus on improving clients’ lives while attaining financial sustainability. The Campaign is headquartered at the Center for Financial Inclusion (CFI) at ACCION International and is governed by a Steering Committee representing a broad cross-section of the industry.
About Sahayata
Sahayata is an Indian non-banking financial company that seeks to help its customers and better their lives by providing them with financial services in a manner that is both socially responsible and sustainable. The word “Sahayata” is rooted in the Hindi language, meaning “to extend responsible help to someone in need.” Sahayata offers its clients loans and insurance services. In 2009, Sahayata won the “Emerging Microfinance Institution” award given by Microfinance Focus.
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Contact:
Charlotte ConnorsManager, Operations and Communications
The Smart Campaign
Tel. +1 202-393-5113 ext 1667
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