Microfinance USA 2010: Register Now for May 20 Event

March 2, 2010 4 Comments

May 20‐21 in San Francisco, CA at the Westin and Yerba Buena Center for the Arts

Presented by Opportunity Fund, Kiva, and the US ACCION Network
www.microfinanceusa2010.org
Location: Westin Market St and Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, CA
Microfinance USA is the place where microfinance practitioners, investors, and enthusiasts meet.
Featured speaker: Maria Shriver, First Lady of California

Brief Conference Overview

The overwhelming success of the 2009 statewide “Microfinance, CA” conference demonstrated the
enthusiasm among various players in the private and public sectors for a gathering to exchange ideas
and resources to grow domestic microfinance. Microfinance USA will continue to mobilize those
involved in and curious about domestic microfinance to help expand the scale and scope of financial
services available to small businesses across America. The two‐day event will showcase on a national
level how microfinance produces jobs, increases incomes, and creates opportunities to build stable and
sustainable communities.
Expanding on the energy and momentum generated by the 2009 conference, Microfinance USA will
bring together 800 ‐ 1,000 investors, policymakers, social entrepreneurs, practitioners, small business
owners, and curious individuals to engage with microfinance strategies and practices unique to the
United States. Participants will deepen their understanding of U.S. microfinance and broaden their
networks through interactive panels and workshops, tours of microfinance borrowers, and networking
opportunities.

Agenda Highlights for Microfinance USA

History and Current State of Microlending in the U.S.

Many are familiar with “creation myths” about overseas microlending, but what are its origins in this
country? This session will convene a group who were involved in the earliest U.S. microlending efforts
thirty years ago, along with some newer practitioners. Panelists will discuss the changing policy,
economic, and cultural landscape over the past decades, highlighting: where domestic microlending got
started; how it’s grown, struggled, and succeeded; and where these microfinance leaders think the
industry is heading and ought to be heading.

Microfinance Miracle? | or | Microfinance Myth?

Does microcredit reduce poverty? Is that even its purpose? What is its real impact and how can we
measure it? Hear from leading researchers in the field on a sizzling debate regarding the impact of
microfinance and whether the ‘microfinance buzz’ belies data that indicate a miracle, a myth, or
something else.

Is Savings Even More Important than Credit?

Providing tools and support to help families build small amounts of savings can empower them for
generations. Join leaders of microfinance savings programs in a discussion on the increasingly
important role of savings in poverty alleviation work in the U.S and around the world. Learn how
incentive and education‐ based savings programs are designed and how commercial financial
institutions are partnering with non‐profits to provide matched savings accounts. Hear from individuals
who are using savings to build assets and achieve their goals.

Leveraging Partnerships to Reach Millions

Microfinance has been slower to scale in the U.S. than internationally. But innovative models and
public‐private partnerships are leading the way to a new wave of expansion into untapped markets in
the U.S.. Panelists will share what they continue to discover about the need and demand for
microfinance products in low income communities, and how they are leveraging partnerships and
dollars in hopes of reaching millions.

What is a Fair Price to Pay for Good Credit?

Emotions run very high around the issue of interest rates, and some MFI’s abroad have suffered
criticism for their high rates. Why is it that the price charged for money is scrutinized so much more
carefully than the price charged for other goods? Here in the U.S., non‐profit lenders have kept their
interest rates lower for a variety of reason, including regulations, public perception and investor
restrictions. But if we are serious about scaling up U.S. microlending, are much higher rates going to be
necessary, so that earned income can replace philanthropic support? We will hear from several
practitioners and thinkers on the question: What is a “fair” price to pay for good credit?

The Role of Government and Job Creation in U.S. Microfinance

As the leading contributor of net new jobs to the U.S. economy – 93.5% in the last 20 years ‐‐ small
businesses truly are the engine of our economy. With high loan repayment rates and a proven ability to
create jobs in the communities most heavily hit by the downturn, nonprofit lenders are seen by the
government as valuable players in the economic recovery. Learn what steps the government is taking to
continue to expand its investment in micro‐ and small business lending, and the challenges microfinance
institutions face in accessing federal funding. Meet clients who have used very small loans to create and
preserve substantial numbers of jobs—demonstrating the potential microlending has for job creation
and economic recovery.

The Rise of P2P Lending in the U.S.

Peer Lending and Microlending are rising alternatives and complements to traditional bank loans.
Senior Managers at Lending Club, Kiva, and US Virgin Money – three separate firms harnessing the
power of P2P and online marketplaces – discuss how they are transforming the ways Americans lend to
and borrow from each other. While their purposes and models differ, these growing firms demonstrate
a burgeoning alternative to traditional notions of financing and philanthropy.

Taste of Microentrepreneurship

Microentrepreneurs representing some of the Bay Area’s most popular and cutting‐edge kitchens will
delight guests with a “food festival” sampling of their culinary delights. Microfinance USA will include an
evening reception from 5‐7pm for an evening of networking, live music, hors d’oeuvres and open bar.
+ Tours of microentrepreneurs in Bay Area and film screenings

Reviews from Microfinance, CA 2009

I found it an excellent event and I was amazed that it was the first of its kind. I thought that the event was very
interesting, brought together a wide range of speakers and participants, and was logistically very well managed at
a very nice venue.
‐Bob Annibale, Global Director, Citi Microfinance
Microfinance CA was a tour de force.
‐Bob Friedman, Founder, CFED
Engaging, delightful, informative, and very impressively managed on every level.
‐Hilary Abell, Executive Director, WAGES

Speaker List

Featured Guest Speaker: Maria Shriver, First Lady of California
Bill Abrams, President, Trickle Up
Bob A. Annibale, Global Director, Citi Microfinance
Jeffrey Ashe, Director of Community Finance, Oxfam America
Janie Barrera, Founding President and CEO, ACCION Texas
Martin Eakes, Founder and CEO, Self‐Help and CEO, Center for Responsible Lending
Elaine Edgecombe, Director, FIELD The Aspen Institute
Amanda Feinstein, Walter and Elise Haas Fund
Elizabeth Funk, Board Member and Co‐Founder, Unitus Investment Group
Rob Garcia, Sr. Director, Product Strategy, Lending Club
Pedro R. Garza, Regional Director, U.S. Economic Development Administration
James Gutierrez, CEO, Progreso Financiero
Gina Harman, President and CEO, Accion New York/New Jersey and ACCION USA
Leslie Kane, Executive Vice President, Grameen America
Kathryn Keely, Founder, WEDCO
Joyce Klein, Senior Consultant, Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
Sean Kline, Director, Reach Global
Gustavo Lasala, Chief Financial Officer, ACCION Texas
Andrea Levere, President, CFED
Jonathan Lewis, Founder, Microcredit Enterprises
Paul Leonard, Director of Operations, California, Center for Responsible Lending
Marco Lucioni, Founder and CEO, Confianza
James Magowan, Co‐Founder and Managing Director, Housing Microfinance (HMF)
Meyer Malka, Founder, Lemon Bank
Ben Mangan, President, CEO and Co‐Founder, Earn
Giovanna Masci, Microfinance Partnerships Manager, Kiva
Lisa Mensah, Executive Director, Aspen Institute
Ted Michaels, Executive Vice President, Banamex USA
Rick Parras, Founder, Apoyo Financiero
Leigh Phillips, Program Manager, Office of Financial Empowerment, Office of the Treasurer; City and County of San
Francisco
Beth Rhyne, Managing Director, Center for Financial Inclusion at ACCION International
Premal Shah, President, Kiva
Chuck Slaughter, CEO, Living Goods
Jennifer Tescher, Director, Center for Financial Services Innovation
Eric Weaver, CEO, Opportunity Fund
Anne Haines Yatskowitz, Co‐Founder ACCION New Mexico/Arizona/Colorado,
Steve Zuckerman, Founding and Managing Director, CA branch, Self‐Help

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