EaSI TA Thematic Seminar on Mutual Learning 'Risk and Credit Management', 25 September 2017, Deva / Sarmizegetusa, Romania

A thematic seminar on mutual learning was organised by fi-compass EaSI TA in collaboration with the Romanian Region West Credit Unions Association (UTCAR RV) in Deva/ Sarmizegetusa on September 25, 2017. Particular interest was shown in solutions for reducing financial risk, as well as learning more about risk & credit management policies in different microfinance institutions from across the EU.

Key sub-topics covered during the full day event were: credit analysis of the client application; avoiding over-indebtedness; managing the portfolio quality; the application process to EaSI Guarantees; as well as related monitoring and reporting procedures.

In order for the participating organisations to learn from a real practical case study, Patria Bank (Romania) was invited to share its experience and practices on the above points. To complement this practical case, a representative from the European Investment Fund presented information about, and lessons learned from, the EaSI financial instruments, especially those in East-Central Europe and Romania.

The day started with a session titled 'Access to EU programmes available for microfinance', which provided the audience with an update on current EaSI TA events and other activities, as well as prospective new events and programmes planned for 2018. This session was followed by the main mutual learning seminar titled 'Guarantee facility for financial intermediaries'. Participants learned here about the characteristics, application process, implementation, monitoring and reporting needed. Other topics covered during the day included loan applications, the appraisal and monitoring process for the EaSI Guarantee Facility, and more practical case studies were also highlighted as examples.

Some 50 participants (representing around 25 different CARs and mostly from Hunedoara County in Romania) took part in the event. Their feedback indicated that its content addressed their capacity building needs and you can find more information from the fi-compass EaSI TA seminar here.