Microfinance Focus, November 8, 2011: Geneva-based impact investment managers BlueOrchard and Bamboo Finance will be opening offices in South Africa and Singapore to strengthen their network of local offices.

BlueOrchard and Bamboo Finance have a global network of seven local offices in Geneva, New York, San Francisco, Lima (Peru), Bogota (Colombia), Phnom Penh (Cambodia) and Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan).

“Impact investment in emerging economies requires local presence, and we are proud to lead the trend by opening additional offices in South Africa and Singapore. Thanks to a strong and growing team of committed investment professionals, we will be present in all major regions on four continents as from 2012. This means that BlueOrchard and Bamboo will be even closer to the companies we invest in and the low-income populations we serve” said Jean-Philippe de Schrevel, founder and CEO.

Increased local presence not only benefits the institutions in which BlueOrchard and Bamboo invest and the populations served by these institutions. Investors are equally set to gain as local analyst teams hailing from a variety of nationalities and cultural backgrounds can exert increased financial risk control and ensure best practice in social performance.

BlueOrchard has provided debt financing to microfinance institutions through BlueOrchard Finance S.A. since 2001, and invested in the equity of microfinance institutions through BlueOrchard Investments Sàrl since 2007.

Bamboo Finance Sàrl has pioneered the commercial financing of social entrepreneurship through investments in financially viable, fast growing companies that provide access to affordable housing, healthcare, education, energy, livelihood opportunities, water and sanitation in emerging economies.

BlueOrchard and Bamboo Finance have established a successful performance track record through a range of debt and private equity funds totaling approximately USD 1 billion in assets under management.