New Website Offers Tools and Resources to Institutions and Networks Worldwide

Washington, DC, March 5, 2010 – The Smart Campaign, a global campaign working to make client protection a standard practice of the microfinance industry, launched a new website today that will serve as the Campaign’s online headquarters. This new site is a comprehensive one-stop resource for client protection tools and best practices for microfinance institutions (MFIs), regional associations, and funders around the world.

The tools section of the website offers a variety of resources to support the implementation of the Client Protection Principles. The tools cover important issues ranging from debt management and collection practices to client financial literacy and avoiding over-indebtedness. For example, microfinance institutions can use the Getting Started questionnaire to assess their client protection practices; the Credit Process Overview helps financial institutions integrate client protection practices into their credit processes; and the Smart Notes series shares case studies and best practices from institutions that have implemented the principles in their daily operations.

The website is a timely resource for those in the industry who need accessible, detailed tools for client protection implementation. The tools were developed in collaboration with microfinance professionals, and engaged the entire microfinance community by inviting them to provide input on the tools they feel are necessary for successful client protection implementation. The Campaign will continue developing tools and resources for the website with ongoing guidance and feedback from the industry.

The Campaign was launched at the Clinton Global Initiative in September 2008 with the goal of generating more than 1,000 endorsements from MFIs. Currently, the Campaign has nearly 500 MFI endorsements, which is a part of 900 total endorsements from key members of the industry including networks, associations, investors and donors.

For more information on how to endorse the Campaign, and to check out the new website, please visit: www.smartcampaign.org.

About The Smart Campaign
The Smart Campaign is a global campaign spearheaded by 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. The Smart Campaign has formed an all-star Steering Committee comprised of ranking members of the industry representing a diversity of regions, expertise and institutions, including CGAP at The World Bank, Deutsche Bank Social Investment Group (NYSE: DB), the Center for Financial Inclusion at ACCION International, the World Savings Bank Institute, WWB Colombia, KfW (Germany), Ujjivan (India), CARD Bank (Philippines), the Microfinance Centre (Eastern Europe & Former Soviet Union), and Fonkoze (Haiti). By providing microfinance institutions the tools and resources they need to deliver transparent, respectful and prudent financial services to all clients, The Smart Campaign is helping the industry make good on its double bottom line promise and elevating microfinance as a model of responsible banking around the world.  Visit us online at www.smartcampaign.org.

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