Morgan Stanley is committed to the growth of microfinance—serving institutions that provide financial services to small-scale entrepreneurs in developing countries.

Morgan Stanley sees microfinance as an opportunity to leverage its commercial strengths in an emerging global business. The firm has intermediated over $ 250 million of microfinance debt through several groundbreaking transactions providing loans to microfinance institutions. These transactions have helped establish microfinance as an asset class and have broadened its appeal to mainstream institutional investors. Morgan Stanley, along with BlueOrchard Finance, was awarded the 2008 FT Sustainable Deal of the Year as a recognition for its leadership and innovation in integrating capital markets with social change.

In addition to strengthening our position in the emerging markets, Morgan Stanley’s involvement in microfinance reinforces its reputation as a good global citizen. Because of the high degree of interest in microfinance today, Morgan Stanley’s commitment in microfinance also helps the firm attract, retain, and engage the best financial talent.