News and Events

FSVC Kicks Off Financial Sector Development Program in Tirana

A reception was held to inaugurate FSVC’s latest Financial Sector Development Program in Albania on February 9, 2012. FSVC has partnered with the Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance to implement a four-year, $3.4 million program funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). FSVC has been providing technical assistance to strengthen the Albanian financial sector since 1999. At the reception, FSVC’s President and CEO, J.

FSVC CEO Andy Spindler Presents at FSI Meeting in Cape Town

FSVC’s President and CEO, J. Andrew Spindler was a presenter at the Bank for International Settlements’ Annual Meeting attended by the heads of bank supervision in Africa, held in Cape Town, South Africa on January 26, 2012. FSVC Board Member Josef Tošovský chaired the event, which was organized by the BIS’ Financial Stability Institute. Mr.

FSVC Receives $250,000 to Support AML/CFT Supervision at the Central Bank of Kenya

The U.S. Department of State selected FSVC to run a one-year technical assistance program to support Kenya’s implementation of local anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) initiatives. Whether actual or alleged, money laundering and terrorist financing pose serious concerns to the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) and the Kenyan Government.

FSVC Welcomes Newest FDIC Secondee

FSVC is pleased to welcome David Koder as its newest secondee from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Mr. Koder is a Case Manager in the FDIC’s Chicago Office. He has over a decade’s experience as both an examiner and case manager. During his six month secondment, Mr. Koder will be working with FSVC’s counterparts on projects related to bank supervision, problem loan workout, and risk management.

FSVC's Tim O'Brien Co-authors Article on SME Finance for Central Bank of Russia

The article was authored by David Snyder (Vice President, Risk Management Manager at Wells Fargo) and by Tim O’Brien (FSVC Russia Country Director) and was published in October in the Central Bank of Russia’s publication, “Dengi i Kredit.” In it, the authors discuss credit scoring as a useful tool to increase credit extension to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In particular, the authors flag some potential problems with using it, especially in a situation where there may not be sufficiently well-trained staff.

FSVC Participates in the 2011 Global Entrepreneurship Week

FSVC is proud to have participated in the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), which took place from November 14–24, 2011. The worldwide event, with 123 nations represented, celebrates entrepreneurs and initiatives to promote and support private enterprise. On behalf of FSVC, Regional Director Mark Dempsey and Program Officer Danyelle Gerges organized a day-long event in South Lebanon to expose students to entrepreneurs in their area and provide guidance on starting a small business.

FSVC Receives $1.5 million to Support Regional Financial Integration within the East African Community

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) selected FSVC to run a three-year program beginning in July 2011 to promote regional financial sector deepening and integration among the East African Community (EAC) member states. The EAC is comprised of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi.

FSVC Receives $1.8 million to Work on Improving Access to Finance for Tunisian Entrepreneurs

The U.S. Department of State Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) and U.S. Embassy Tunis selected FSVC to run a two-year program beginning July 1. To promote private-sector development in Tunisia, FSVC will deliver technical assistance focused on working with banks to increase lending to small businesses, developing the venture capital sector, and improving the legal and regulatory environment for financing entrepreneurs.

FSVC Organizes Conference on Global Finance and Energy Challenges in Shanghai

Participants representing the public and private sectors in the United States, Russia, China, and India gathered June 3-5 to address the repercussions of the global financial crisis and continuing lack of action on countering climate change. They noted that Russia, China, and India had recovered from the crisis must faster than the United States and Europe but that, despite the crisis having originated in the United States, the free market model has not been discredited. Other conclusions of the conference included that, while the