Background
CMI is managed by ASA in Bangladesh (www.asabd.org), and Sequoia (www.sequoia.eu) in the UK and the Netherlands.

ASA is one of the world’s leading microfinance institutions (MFIs). It currently serves over 6,000,000 clients in Bangladesh in an extraordinarily efficient manner. ASA has provided technical support to numerous MFIs worldwide in designing and implementing sound and proven credit methodologies and building efficient and well-managed organizations.

Sequoia is an independent international corporate finance advisory and private equity firm, specializing in strategic, M&A, capital markets advisory services and private equity investments, with a focus on the Benelux. Sequoia has advised on numerous strategic assignments, with a combined transaction value in excess of USD 5.0 billion.

ASA and Sequoia, together with their respective founders, own and manage Catalyst Microfinance Investment Company (CMIC), the fund manager of CMI.

Corporate details
Catalyst Microfinance Investors is a private company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of Mauritius with a term of 10 years. CMI’s first closing of USD 3 million took place in August 2005. CMI announced in October 2007 that it has achieved second close with total initial commitments of USD 50 million (€35 million) from leading institutional and private investors based in the United States of America and Europe.

Besides CMIC and Sequoia, Gray Ghost Microfinance Fund (www.grayghostfund.com) is one of CMI’s cornerstone investors.