August 10,2008
"Microfinancing: a
Worldwide Movement
to Enable Change"
with Bill Burrus
www.accionusa.org
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Circles of Change: Conversations with Dr. Zara Larsen
on Change Leadership and Career Fulfillment
August 10, 2008
“Microfinancing: A Worldwide Movement to Enable Change”
Guest: Bill Burris
www.accioninternational.org www.accionusa.org (800) 508-7624
Anchoring Points:
- I studied sociology with an interest in Latin America and learning another language. After serving in the Peace Corps, I pursued graduate work in business and returned to Mexico in the community development area, seeing clearly the need to provide people with access to capital to help them help themselves economically.
- In 1973 Accion International began in Brazil to offer small loans to people making $1-2 per day with clear understanding of their businesses. A revolutionary idea to go beyond subsidy, dependency programs. A worldwide movement had begun.
- Our attitude was to treat all people as equals with respect as businessmen, maintaining their sense of dignity. Flew in the face of conventional practices, counter to the typical development mindset.
- Business “defining moments”: a) decision to focus 100% on micro-lending, withdrawing from all other efforts, b) embraced the sea change to “go global” beyond Latin America, c) adding other financial services (mortgage, insurance) by partnering with firms of said expertise.
- Fanned out across Latin America, snowballing within communities and leap frogging from country to country with the assistance of on-the-ground private sector partnerships and openly sharing best practices; outside of government participation.
- In 1995 the model was brought into the US in a Latino sector of Brooklyn, NY, “importing” know how and a dose of humility for change. Striking similarities to working overseas, although amount of money required, interest rates and overhead administration structure were unique.
- Accion International is now global, having loaned over $8 billion with 95-98% loans paid back to allow recycling of the funds into communities. Average loan is $300-600 overseas; $5-6,000 in the US. Candidates are typically those who cannot access bank loans, do not have collateral, women/minority businesses, at-risk for historic reasons.
- Non-profit 501c3 organization with 50/50 source of funding through multi-faceted business relationships and private donations, and self-generated funds. In the US over 230 employees, average age of 30 years with MBA, economics skills.
My 35-year career with Accion changed as the organization and the worldwide movement changed. I relished the close interaction with those who benefited first hand from our work, hearing what they wanted to do with there lives, and knowing that my efforts played a significant part in their dreams. A perfect intersection for my social service and finance interests.
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