AFN Webinar Series 2011
Check back soon for details on our next webinar!
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October 2011
Is the Price Right? The Role of Pricing in Microenterprise
Date: Thursday, October 13th
Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm PST/2:00pm -3:00pm EST
Over the last few years, the interest rate issue in microfinance has been a hot topic among those engaged in international programs. Concerns about over-indebtedness coupled with questions about the pressures some microlenders have placed on borrowers have fueled debate and a movement for greater transparency in pricing. Now these issues seem to be emerging in the US market as some for-profit lenders have arisen offering consumer and business loans at what appear to be considerably higher rates. What's right? What's fair? Where's the US nonprofit field in this, and what are the implications for funders?
This upcoming webinar will explore these thorny questions, drawing on an analysis summarized in FIELD's recently released Funder Guide, Is the Price Right? The Role of Pricing in Microenterprise Lending. Speakers from microlender ACCION Chicago and the Center for Responsible Lending will discuss both the dynamics and challenges impacting pricing schemes set by nonprofit microlenders, and the current trends around pricing transparency for consumers. FIELD will provide recommendations around pricing considerations for both funders and practitioners alike.
Please see webinar archive section for PPT and other materials.
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September 2011
Kindergarten to College: Local Innovation, National Impact
Date: Tuesday, September 20th, 2011- webinar complete
Time: 10:00am - 11:00am PST/ 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
In 2011, the City and County of San Francisco launched the nation's first publicly funded universal children's savings account project - Kindergarten to College. This year, 3600 public school children will have K2C accounts and the opportunity to start saving for the future.
Join us on Tuesday, September 20th as Leigh Phillips, Manager of the San Francisco Office of Financial Empowerment, and Jenny Flores of Citi discuss the design and implementation of K2C, with a focus on how San Francisco developed an account structure that allows every child to automatically receive a college savings account in his or her name.
See webinar archive section for PPT slides and K2C report.
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April 2011
EITC Funders Network & Asset Funders Network Webinar
Internet Resources for Funders and the Field
Date: Monday, April 25th
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm PST/3:00 PM - 4:30 PM EST
The EITC Funders Network and the Asset Funders Network hosted a webinar to learn about important internet-based resources for funders and the field including: Tax Credits for Working Families website, EITC Platform, and Asset Platform. This webinar was intended for funders; although, interested grantees may be invited by funders to participate.
Speakers:
Debbie Stein and Amy Greene, The Hatcher Group
Kirsten Moy and Jan Simpson, The Aspen Institute
Steven Holt, Holt Solutions/EITC Platform
Please contact info@eitcfunders.org if you have any questions.
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March 2011
Financial Literary and Credit Building in Microenterprise Programs
Date: March 10th
Time: 10am-11am PST/1pm-2pm EST
Download Power Point Presentation HERE.
Listen to Webinar Recording HERE.
AFN hosted a webinar on Thursday, March 10th from 10am-11am PST on Financial Literacy and Credit Building in Microenterprise Programs with presenters Elaine Edgcomb and Luz Gomez of FIELD, a program at the Aspen Institute and Manny Hidalgo, Executive Director,Latino Economic Development Corporation.
Microenterprise organizations have long recognized - and struggled with - the fact that their clients' credit histories and personal financial management skills directly affect their ability to manage their businesses, and to take on business debt. As such, microenterprise trainers and lenders alike have been early adapters of products and services - such as financial literacy training, IDAs and credit reporting/building services - that help their clients to build their credit and their financial management skills. Today, many microenterprise organizations are working to promote financial capability by offering a broader range of products, including credit builder loans and secured credit cards, which support strong financial skills and behaviors.
Elaine Edgcomb, Luz Gomez and Manny Hildago shared results of research documenting current work in this area of the microenterprise field along with the experience of the Latino Economic Development Corporation in Washington D.C., which has restructured its microenterprise work around a central focus on building credit.