Welcome to the MIX MARKET!

 What is the MIX MARKET™?

• The MIX MARKET ™ is a global, web-based, microfinance information platform.  It provides information to sector actors and the public at large on microfinance institutions (MFIs) worldwide, public and private funds that invest in microfinance, MFI networks, raters/external evaluators, advisory firms, and governmental and regulatory agencies. The MIX Market seeks to develop a transparent information market to link MFIs worldwide with Investors and Donors and promote greater investment and information flows.
  
  The MIX MARKET currently provides data on 1280 MFIs, 102 investors and 167 partners.

 What kind of information does the MIX MARKET provide?

• MFI data includes outreach and impact data, financial data, audited financial statements in addition to general and contact information...

• Donor/Investor portfolio data details financial instruments used, application and reporting processes, contacts and information on how to apply for investment...

• Country information offers relevant social and economic development indicators in addition to regulatory information

 Why was the MIX MARKET created?

• To enable MFIs to compare their financial and outreach performance with that of their peers

• To attract more public and commercially-oriented investors to microfinance by promoting financial transparency, accountability, and increased disclosure standards

 Who created the MIX MARKET?

• The MIX MARKET, previously known as "The Virtual Microfinance Market (VMM)," started as an UNCTAD project (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development). The project was supported by the government of Luxembourg under the guidance of a sector-wide microfinance Advisory Board.

• In 2001, CGAP (The Consultative Group to Assist the Poorest), a consortium of donors that promotes microfinance worldwide, expanded the scope of the MIX MARKET in collaboration with UNCTAD.

• Publicly launched in September 2002, the MIX MARKET is now a key component of the MIX (Microfinance Information eXchange), a new, not-for-profit private organization supported by CGAP, the Citigroup Foundation, the Open Society Institute, the Rockdale Foundation, and other private foundations.

• The MIX MARKET will continue to seek guidance from the initial VMM Advisory Board.

Thank You! Gracias! Merci!

The MIX Team would like to express our special thanks to the following people whose contributions made the MIX MARKET possible: The UNCTAD Microfinance Program, especially Frank Grozel and Zoraa Amijee, Carolina Quintana, Claudia Ortiz The members of the Virtual Microfinance Market (VMM) Advisory Board Mark Bernier, Elizabeth Case, Marianne Gillet, Annabel Mulder, Tuyen Nguyen Infobahn sa and especially Vincent Dufresne and Bertrand Dufresne for the implementation of their EZMODIFIER system CGAP and especially Natasha Goronja and Doug Pearce The Directors and Officers of the MIX

 How reliable is the information posted on the MIX MARKET?

• The MIX MARKET does not guarantee the reliability or accuracy of the information posted on the site (see our Terms of Service).  However, the MIX MARKET follows a quality control system to help ensure the validity of MFI and Fund information:
  
  
  • MFIs and investors verify the information they post
  • The MIX MARKET reviews the information for coherence and consistency
  • MFIs and investors then update their information as per market standards (bi-yearly or yearly basis) or their profiles become inactive

 How does the MIX MARKET rank levels of disclosure?

• All MFIs are invited to participate in this unique portal. The level of disclosure for each MFI is indicated through a "diamond" system: the higher the number of diamonds, the higher the level of disclosure. 
  
  When an MFI has multiple years of data in the MIX Market, the level of Diamonds corresponds to the latest year of data.
  

  Level	Disclosure Requirements	Diamonds
  Level 1	General Information
  Level 2	Level 1 and Outreach and Impact Data (at minimum, data for Year 1 and Year 2)
  Level 3	Levels 1-2 and Financial Data (at minimum, data for Year 1 and Year 2)
  Level 4	Levels 1-3 and Audited Financial Statements (at minimum, audited financial statements including Auditors’ opinion and notes for Year 1 and Year 2)
  Level 5	Levels 1-4 and Adjusted Data (at minimum, ratings/evaluation, due diligence and other benchmarking assessment reports or studies that is not older than Year 1)

Each Year, MIX Diamond Certificates will be issued to MFIs that have obtained 4 or 5 diamonds for a particular year.  For example, if an MFI that obtains 4 Diamonds for 2003 data, it will receive a “4 Diamond – 2003” Certificate.  If the same MFI then sends in a 2003 rating report, it will also receive a “5 Diamond – 2003” Certificate.

Certificates will be awarded at the end of each year, in December, for all years that match the Certificate requirements.  No retroactive certificates will be awarded for years prior to 2003.

 How can I participate in the MIX MARKET?

The MIX MARKET is a web platform servicing all Microfinance actors, and primarly designed to foster communication between all. 

• For MFIs: MFIs can post profiles on the MIX MARKET and market their organizations to investors and donors in order to mobilize equity capital, loans, and grants. The MIX MARKET is open to all MFIs regardless of their mission or performance. MFIs can elect their level of information disclosure on the MIX MARKET, but the system is designed to give greater visibility to MFIs that provide more in-depth data on their financial and outreach performance. To post an MFI Profile, click here.

• For Funds: Funds (investors and donors) can post profiles to foster potential microfinance investment opportunities and support the transparency and benchmarking initiatives of the MIX MARKET.  Investors and donors can also encourage licto participate in the MIX by using the MIX MARKET as an online reporting service. To post a New Fund Profile, click here.

• For Raters and External Evaluators: Raters and external evaluators can post profiles to market their services on the MIX MARKET. To post a new Profile, please Contact Us.

• For Networks: MFI networks can post profiles, market their activities and promote their members while expanding further the scope of their services. MFI networks can also compare their activities and outreach with their peers. To post a new Network Profile, please Contact Us. 

• For Development Programs/Technical Assistance Service Providers: Microfinance development programs and technical assistance service providers can post profiles to highlight their impact and market their services on the MIX MARKET.To post a new Profile, please Contact Us. 

• For Governmental and Regulatory Agencies: Governmental and regulatory agencies can use the MIX MARKET and MIX other services to enhance their reporting and supervisory systems.  For more information, please Contact Us.

Going forward with "Your" MIX MARKET!

ALL Microfinance Actors are invited to become members and actively participate in the MIX MARKET!  Please also forward us your comments on how to best serve you.  We hope to see you soon on the MIX Market!