Capital raised through Germany's BANK IM BISTUM ESSEN to Support Women Borrowers

By: WE Staff | Tuesday, 18 May 2021

BANK IM BISTUM ESSEN (BIB), a German cooperative bank, has completed its first-ever debt financing in India, in the form of an ECB transaction, with Fusion Microfinance Private Limited, a major NBFC MFI situated in New Delhi. Fusion will leverage BIB's EUR 10 million funding to provide systemic liquidity and microloans to women borrowers from low-income households, enhancing their access to credit and allowing them to build their enterprises.

"We are extremely delighted to have partnered in our first transaction in India with Fusion Microfinance with the support of Northern Arc Capital. We believe that especially in these turbulent times it is more important than ever to show a strong commitment and support to the underprivileged women entrepreneurs active in the rural areas of the country. With these funds provided we look forward to contributing to women with economic opportunities to transform the quality of their lives. The transaction facilitated by Northern Arc Capital, a leading digital debt platform that addresses the credit requirements of the underbanked in India, took over a year to culminate with the global health crisis throwing up multiple challenges.” said Markus Christ, senior investment officer (Asia), BANK IM BISTUM ESSEN.

Fusion has 650 outlets in 300 underdeveloped areas in 18 states, giving it a pan-India footprint. As of December 31, 2020, it had an outstanding portfolio of INR 4,107 crore.

“This is a very happy moment for us on two counts - it’s the beginning of our relationship with a very esteemed organisation like BIB and this being our very first ECB transaction. It opens a new channel of funding for us in the midst of a challenging environment. This will enable us to extend further support to our women clients who are facing extremely difficult challenges due to the ongoing pandemic,” shared Devesh Sachdev, managing director and chief executive officer, Fusion Microfinance:

Northern Arc syndicated and implemented the facility, which is the latest in a series of deals in which the company has leveraged its vast contacts with global DFIs to help finance debt in its sectors. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the company has raised debt from US DFC, ADB, FMO, Calvert Impact Capital, Blue Orchard, and CDC for its own Balance Sheet and partners.

Northern Arc has provided over INR 95,000 crore in funding to its partner institutions through reputable domestic and international investors till March 31, 2021. As of March 31, 2021, Northern Arc's exposure was distributed throughout 570 districts in 35 Indian states and union territories.

Leapfrog, IIFL, Accion, Affirma Capital (formerly Standard Chartered Private Equity), Dvara Trust, Eight Roads, and Sumitumo Mitsui Banking Corporation are among the investors.