In June 2010, FSVC agreed to design and implement a five-year program of technical assistance to Banco Keve in Angola.  The program, while aiming to strengthen the bank’s overall capabilities, focuses on delivering twelve technical assistance activities in four crucial segments of the financial/banking sector: SME lending, strategic planning, anti-money laundering (AML) compliance, and risk management, with the ultimate objective of building a healthier and more efficient banking system, leading to economic growth and job creation.  The program is funded by a line of credit awarded by World Business Capital (WBC) and guaranteed by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC).

Over the course of 5 years, FSVC delivered a series of 12 demand-driven technical assistance activities to Banco Keve in Angola to help strengthen the bank’s risk management policies and procedures, credit underwriting practices, SME banking operations, and marketing and sales operations.  The project activities consisted of assessments, consultations, expert commentaries, on-the-job training, and one U.S.-based study tour for Banco Keve staff.  FSVC’s volunteer experts included private commercial bankers from Bank of America and Wells Fargo, community bankers, bank examiners from the FDIC and consultants for the U.S. Department of Treasury and World Bank.  Leveraging the vast experience of FSVC volunteer experts, Banco Keve was able to improve its risk management operations, reduce the number of Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) in its portfolio and increase its focus on developing its SME customer base through product differentiation and market segmentation.

Program Impact

  • 147 banking staff trained
  • Development of risk ratings methodology
  • Expert revision of credit risk policies and manuals
  • Establishment of risk management department within the bank
  • Re-segmentation of the SME market
  • Differentiation between products and services for corporate and SME clients
  • Revised marketing strategy to attract SME clients