ABBL

The Luxembourg Institute for Training in Banking (IFBL) and the non-governmental organisation ADA signed a partnership agreement on 12 February 2009, thus establishing the framework for new training courses in Microfinance for the Luxembourg banking sector. The first training courses were launched in May, and further courses are scheduled after the summer break. Being present at the signing of this partnership agreement in February, Jean-Louis Schiltz, then Minister for Development, Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, has confirmed his support to the IFBL and ADA, whose joint initiative has allowed for the creation of new synergies between the Luxembourg financial sector and development cooperation.

Despite the Luxembourg financial centre’s manifest interest in Microfinance, the offer for professional training in the field had until now been very limited if not non-existent. In this respect, the partnership between the IFBL and ADA represents an important step. The first introductory course on Microfinance took place on 12 May, and was fully booked. Similarly, training days on 17 and 18 June dedicated to Microfinance performance analysis saw a record number of participations. The level of success was such that these two training courses were reiterated in English during July.

Five modules à la carte

The Microfinance training offer is composed of five modules, divided into M1, M2 and M3 categories. Candidates can sign up either for the complete cycle, or for one or more modules of their choice. Each module is assessed on the basis of a final, optional, knowledge test.

The M1 module “Introduction to Microfinance” represents an ideal entry point into the subject for the uninitiated and covers the main theoretical aspects of Microfinance. Having followed the introductory module is, however, not a prerequisite for participating in the M2 or M3 type modules. The M2 modules “Performance analysis” and “Risk management” are very much practically orientated, putting emphasis on practical exercises and case studies. The M3 module “Legal structures”, for its part, aims to provide an in-depth view of more complex notions in the field of Microfinance.

The training courses will resume after the summer break with a French language M2 session on Microfinance investments on September 23. Other courses will follow in October – on risk management – and November – on legal structures (the exact course dates will be communicated at a later date). If there is sufficient demand, the IFBL and ADA may also add English language courses.

The content of the training courses is developed by the NGO, which has gathered ample experience in the matter. For many years now, ADA has been providing Microfinance courses in the context of the Masters in Microfinance programmes of the Université de Nancy II and the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB). The organisation also identifies suitable experts in the Microfinance sector that are qualified to speak on the various aspects of Microfinance taught in the courses. Thus, the alliance between the experience of the Institute for Training in Banking in providing professional training for the financial sector, on the one hand, and the expertise of the NGO in Microfinance, on the other, represents a seal of quality. The IFBL-ADA partnership meets the demands of professionals of the fund industry, Private Banking, consultancy, as well as those of banking services professionals more generally, who are likely to be interested in these new training modules.

Information concerning schedules and pricing of Microfinance training courses are available on the IFBL website (www.ifbl.lu) or can be requested via email at customer [at] ifbl [dot] lu or via ADA at adainfo [at] microfinance [dot] lu)

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Article by Marion Bur (ADA)
(Original French text translated by the ABBL)

(This article can also be found in the Luxembourg Banking Quarterly 2/2009)