• Flagship BlueOrchard Microfinance Fund exceeds USD 2.4 billion and continues to deliver strong performance
  • BlueOrchard SDG Impact Bond Fund exceeds the USD 350 million investment mark in its first year
  • Expansion of prestigious Japan ASEAN Women Empowerment Fund to USD 241 million to address the significant financing gap of women in Asia
  • More than 1bn USD disbursed in more than 100 institutions across over 40 countries in 2019
  • Access to financial and related services provided to more than 38 million low-income individuals in emerging and frontier markets

Building on the positive results reported in the first half of the year, BlueOrchard has continued to strengthen its position as the leading impact investment manager, delivering strong social and financial performance across all of its funds in 2019.

The flagship fund, the BlueOrchard Microfinance Fund (BOMF), reached USD 2.4 billion in assets under management by the end of December. The fund delivered good financial returns to investors throughout the year, while also achieving a positive social impact across 11 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With a 20 year track record, BOMF is the world’s first and largest commercial microfinance fund dedicated to emerging and frontier markets.

The BlueOrchard SDG Impact Bond Fund, launched in August 2018, also saw significant growth throughout the year, exceeding USD 350 million by the end of 2019. This demonstrates investors’ continued appetite for a product that combines financial returns and social impact, while providing increased liquidity.

Meanwhile, we announced the expansion of the Japanese ASEAN Women Empowerment Fund (JAWEF), reflecting the success of this initiative since its launch in 2016. In doubling the fund’s size to USD 241 million, it will be able to continue addressing the significant financing gap for women in Asia, increasing outreach to 700,000 women in need.

The second half of 2019 also saw the announcement of a new partnership between BlueOrchard and Schroders, a UK-listed investment manager with a strong global distribution network. Partnering with Schroders enables BlueOrchard to further drive innovation and growth, increasing its impact across emerging and frontier markets.

“2019 has been a very successful year for BlueOrchard, in which we again delivered strong performance and achieved a number of significant milestones which will position us well for the future. We are proud to see continued growth across our product range and believe that the new relationship with Schroders will be key to continuing to deliver this in the future. We would like to thank our existing and new investors for the continued trust they have placed in us and look forward to providing our partners around the world with the best possible impact solutions in 2020”, said Patrick Scheurle, CEO of BlueOrchard.

“The desire to combine a positive social impact with achieving a financial return is becoming increasingly prominent in investors’ minds. As the appetite for impact investing continues to build, we are excited to be able to provide innovative solutions across a range of asset classes that allow investors to contribute to solving pressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality and the consequences of climate change,” said Peter A. Fanconi, BlueOrchard’s Chairman of the Board.

About BlueOrchard Finance Ltd

BlueOrchard is a leading global impact investment manager and a member of the Schroders group. The firm is dedicated to fostering inclusive and climate-smart growth in emerging and frontier markets, while providing attractive returns for investors. BlueOrchard was founded in 2001, by initiative of the UN, as the world’s first commercial manager of microfinance debt investments. The firm has built a distinct track record in offering premium impact investment solutions, including credit, private equity, and sustainable infrastructure. Being an expert in innovative blended finance mandates, the firm is a trusted partner of leading global development finance institutions. BlueOrchard has invested to date more than USD 6bn for sophisticated global private and public clients, enabling tangible social and environmental impact. For additional information, please visit: www.blueorchard.com

For further information, please contact: Kat Sutton: +41 22 596 47 69 | kathryn.sutton@blueorchard.com

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The information in this document was produced by BlueOrchard Finance Ltd (“BOF”) to the best of its present knowledge and belief. However, all data and financial information provided is on an unaudited and “as is” basis. The opinions expressed in this document are those of BOF and its employees and are subject to change at any time without notice. BOF provides no guarantee with regard to the accuracy and completeness of the content in this document and BOF does not under any circumstance, accept liability for any losses or damages which may arise from making use of, or relying upon any information, content or opinion provided by BOF in this document. This document may contain references or links to other documents and websites and BOF has not reviewed such other documents and websites and is not responsible in any way in relation to the content of such documents and websites.  

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