IAS Archive

We drive economic growth and stability by strengthening financial sectors in developing economies, fostering inclusion in emerging markets and Europe. Our expertise focuses on microfinance, social enterprise finance, and capacity building, collaborating with diverse financial providers to meet unique enterprise needs. We excel in Institutional Strengthening, Downscaling, Upscaling, and Innovation within Financial Inclusion & Social Entrepreneurship, offering (digital) financial solutions, support services, and innovative product design for micro- and social enterprises.

SMEs are crucial for economies, driving wealth creation, poverty reduction, and job opportunities. They often employ the majority of the workforce and contribute significantly to GDP. They promote inclusive growth, foster innovation, and enhance environmental sustainability. Despite these benefits, SMEs in many countries face financial barriers due to perceived risks. However, successful examples globally demonstrate that supporting SMEs can yield profits and manageable risks. We aid financial institutions in developing or enhancing sustainable SME finance as a business segment.

We offer holistic advisory services for sustainable rural and smart agri-finance. This includes finance access for farms, agribusinesses, and rural enterprises, along with improved technology and cost-effective channels. We assist financial institutions in developing innovative tools and products to minimise risks and costs in agricultural lending, overcoming traditional barriers in serving these sectors.

The Frankfurt School - UNEP Collaborating Centre for Climate & Sustainable Energy Finance partners with Frankfurt School and UN Environment Programme. It offers strategic advisory services to drive innovative solutions for green, resilient finance. Through a blend of research and practical expertise, the Centre supports the shift towards a prosperous, climate-resilient future. This aligns with our broader thematic areas, aiding global financial institutions in diverse activities.

Effective human resource management (HRM) and development (HRD) are vital for financial institutions (FIs) to gain a competitive advantage. We specialize in enhancing HR systems for partners, encompassing strategy design, recruitment, performance appraisal, succession planning, and training. These aspects, often underestimated, can significantly impact operational success and business planning.

For over two decades, Frankfurt School has adeptly implemented risk management frameworks across diverse markets for banks, microfinance institutions, and more. With a core focus on finance, they annually train around 15,000 professionals. Their expertise spans Credit Risk, Scoring Development, Financial Risk, Treasury, Operational Risk, and Regulatory Compliance.

We prioritize empowering underserved groups like women, youth, and refugee entrepreneurs globally through diverse programs spanning training, consultancy, capacity building, policy development, and extensive research on these beneficiary categories, with a specific focus on women/youth-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Our customized strategy targets equitable access to finance, markets, and knowledge-building, guided by principles of gender and social equity, ensuring tailored support for the needs of each individual, including customers of partner financial institutions.

Access to decent shelter is a fundamental requirement and a key objective of the UN Sustainable Development Agenda 2030. Adequate housing financing is crucial for achieving this goal, with the provision of suitable financial services playing a pivotal role in enhancing living conditions globally. IAS has long been committed to advancing housing finance through institution and capacity-building initiatives, encompassing a wide spectrum from housing microfinance to mortgage lending and energy-efficient residential building promotion.

Frankfurt School offers cutting-edge technology solutions, training, and customized software development, managing projects from start to finish. We assist institutions in embracing transformative "New IT" concepts like Blockchain, Robotic Process Automation, Cloud Computing, Internet of Things, and Artificial Intelligence. Leveraging our skilled in-house team, we develop secure software using Java technology for statistical modeling and machine learning algorithms, while ensuring seamless data migration and conversion from legacy systems.