Microfinance: Will Institutions Survive The Pandemic?

Microfinance institutions exists to support entrepreneurs in the U.S. and the developing world access financial services, including loans, savings products, and insurance.  Their clients often comprise the most economically vulnerable members of society whose needs are unmet by the larger players in the financial system.  As  the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic crises are having a disproportionate impact on low-income communities, microfinance institutions face associated existential risks to continued operations during these unprecedented times.

Join us for a conversation about these challenges with two seasoned experts in the field:

• Lauren Braniff | Senior Director, Knowledge and Communication, Center for Financial Inclusion at Accion 
• Jesse Casler, Chief Operating Officer of Hope International, a global microfinance organization headquartered in Lancaster, PA

The conversation will be moderated by the co-chairs of the International Section Social Finance and Enterprise Committee:

• Julee Milham,Co-Chair, NYSBA Committee on Social Finance and Enterprise
• Azish Filabi, Executive Director of the Maguire Center for Ethics in Financial Services, at the American College of Financial Services