2000s - SETTING A DEMONSTRATION EFFECT

2001
IFC makes environmental and social sustainability an important priority in all its investment operations. Watch video

2002
Amid worsening economic conditions in Argentina, IFC starts a series of countercyclical investments, beginning with $60 million for agribusiness client AGD.

2003
Leading commercial banks launch the Equator Principles, modeled on IFC’s own standards. They set new environmental and social development terms for commercial project finance lending.

2004
IFC launches its first large-scale gender initiative, encouraging future projects such as 2006’s $15 million loan to help Nigeria’s Access Bank finance local women-owned businesses.

2004
IFC oversees creation of EMPEA (the Emerging Market Private Equity Association). The IFC/EMPEA annual private equity conference soon becomes the industry’s focal point.

2006
New Performance Standards adopted.

2007
Having decentralized to be closer to its clients, IFC has more than 50 percent of its staff in the field for the first time.

2007
IFC invests $5 million in FINO, a year-old Indian IT firm that helps banks reach underserved rural banking markets. By 2016, 26 million users gain increased access to finance from FINO products.

2009
The G-20 launches its Financial Inclusion initiative, naming IFC its SME finance adviser.

2009
Responding to the global financial crisis, IFC provides €2 billion to an international effort to maintain commercial bank lending in Central and Eastern Europe.

2009
IFC Asset Management Company is founded; by 2016 it will have raised more than $9 billion of institutional investors, tapping a vast new source of financing for development.