Access to finance
From microfinancing initiatives in developing countries such as Bangladesh and Nicaragua, to the provision of debt counselling to disadvantaged Londoners and New Yorkers, we are using our talents, particularly our financial legal expertise, to help those otherwise excluded or disadvantaged. In addition, we will look to take the relationships we enjoy with financial institution clients around the world further through joint community initiatives that help people who are challenged to access finance for a variety of reasons.
How do we help people to help themselves?
We help them secure access to finance. Inclusive, accessible financial systems encourage more rapid economic growth in societies and help the poor to participate in that growth.
We like big ideas. Microfinance has become a particular area of interest because it creates far-reaching possibilities for disadvantaged people who are beyond the reach of the traditional banking sector. By giving individuals access to small loans it enables them to expand their small businesses.
But sometimes a little advice can make a big difference. On a more modest scale, we also have many local initiatives that help disadvantaged people cope with financial challenges.
And as with our other pro bono work, we appreciate the value in working alongside other law firms to support the important work of organisations such as Advocates for International Development, which was named Pro Bono Team of the Year at The Lawyer 2007 Awards.
Scaling-up commercial funding for MicroFinance Initiative's ('MFIs').
Since 2006, we’ve been working on a pro bono basis with longstanding client Citi to develop a user-friendly, multi-jurisdictional legal template for microfinance, applying international standards to local currency documentation. More initiatives