History

Microcredit foundation EKI (MCF EKI) was created from the microcrediting programme of World Vision International (WVI) in 1996. The first EKI office was opened in Zenica at the time, and in the following four years WVI had opened 7 additional offices to deal with microcredits in Federation BiH as well as in Republic of Srpska. In March 2001, EKI got registered as a local microcredit organization which today has 66 offices and 280 employees, covering all BiH territory.

Today, EKI is one of the leading microcredit institutions in BiH with a vision aiming to reduce economic causes of poverty. Currently we have over 36.000 clients using over 95 million KM of loans.

EKI loans and services aim to start up and improve small businesses, crafts, services and agricultural activities, regardless weather they are registered or not. Targeted clients are low income households, women, disabled persons, returnees and persons whose businesses open new or sustain existing jobs.

EKI`s main goal is creating a strong and financially sustainable institution which will reinvest its profit into additional loan capital.

EKI can commend itself with regular follow up of world`s microfinance trends, which can be supported by the international `Merit award` received for financial transparency and awarded by Consulting Group for Assistance to Poor (CGAP). EKI received this award for its activities in 2005.This proves that EKI is an organization whose professionalism in business has been recognized by international institutions which will greatly contribute to understanding of transparency in financial reporting in the world of microfinance.