Who we Are

COMPANY PROFILE

Solutions for your Needs

MFR is a global rating agency, providing assessments, data and technical expertise for the sustainable finance industry.

We have a long history of conducting independent ratings and assessments, but we also provide high-quality information, and technical expertise to facilitate investment and responsible practices.

Our clients are Financial Institutions (FIs), investors, regulators, renewable energy companies and networks working to achieve financial inclusion and sustainable development.

Through MFR’s platform ATLAS, we offer data management and benchmark solutions that centralize social, environmental, and financial data of FIs and renewable energy companies to make our industry accountable.

Created in 2000 as a dedicated department of Microfinanza SRL, MFR was spun off as an independent Limited Liability Company in 2006. Headquartered in Italy, MFR operates through a network of 5 regional offices (Ecuador, Mexico, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, and India) and 1 country office (Bolivia) across 4 continents, boasting the largest global geographical coverage among specialized rating agencies.

MFR has conducted 2,800+ assignments in 110+ countries worldwide and holds >70% of the global market share.

Vision

A transparent and sustainable future, where capital combines with purpose.

Mission

Generate independent opinions for the sustainable finance industry, based on verified information, to foster responsible investments.

More than 20 years of professional recognition

MFR leverages on a well-founded credibility. MFR was the first specialized rating agency to be licensed by a Supervisory Authority to carry out mandatory ratings (2007, in Ecuador) and it is currently the only one to be licensed in 2 countries (since 2014, also in Bolivia).

Over the years, MFR has been accredited by 2 global rating funds (RF I) and initiatives (Rating Initiative), and a number of regional funds (e.g. Latin America RF II, Moroccan APP) and initiatives (e.g. European Jasmine Initiative, EASI).

Its credibility and technical expertise are further proven by the relations and partnerships established with some of the leading private social investors and fund managers (e.g. ADA, responsAbility, OikoCredit, Blue Orchard, Incofin, Triple Jump, Symbiotics, Triodos etc.), DFIs (e.g. KfW, EBRD, EIB, IFC/WB, IFAD, FMO, IADB, UNDP/UNCDF, USAid, OPIC, AfD, CDC Group, etc.), and specialized hedging funds (e.g. TCX, MFX).

Active partner of industry initiatives:

  • Board member of the Social Performance Task Force (2015-2018) and African Microfinance Transparency (2008-2013).
  • Sitting in the Certification Body Committee of Smart Campaign and in CERISE’s SPI4 Steering Committee for SPI4.
  • Scheme operator for Truelift since 2012.
  • Trusted partner to develop methodologies and conduct industry studies (SPTF and e-MFP: Investor guidelines on outcome management, 2016; Environmental and Social performance in SME finance, 2018).
  • In 2017 MFR became signatory of the UNPRI (Principles of Responsible Investment) Statement on ESG in Credit Rating, together with all the main global mainstream Rating Agencies and first among the specialized RAs.

MFR is licensed by

Ecuador local regulator
Credit Rating of regulated financial institutions (FIs) and Issue Rating since 2008

Bolivia local regulator
Credit Rating, Social & Environmental Rating and Issue Rating of regulated FIs since 2014

MFR is registered with

Philippines local central bank
Microfinance Institutions Rating Agency (MIRA)

MFR is accredited by

Cerise+SPTF
Client Protection Certification
since 2012

European Commission 
European Code of Good Conduct since 2015
EIB-InvestEU
Evaluation products under the SIFTA Program

Cerise
SPI4 and SPI4 Alinus audits
since 2015

Truelift
Truelift Assessment
since 2012
GOGLA
Consumer Protection Assessment
since 2022

MFX-DFC

Rating of MSME funds, clean energy (PAYGO) funds, agricultural funds and housing funds 

IPA
PPI Certification 2013-2018*
*currently discontinued

MFR is signatory of

UNPRI
Principles of Responsible Investment Statement on ESG in Credit Rating since 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MFR’s track record comprises partnerships with a variety of industry stakeholders, including private MIVs, DFIs and donors, holdings, specialized hedging facilities:

                

 

Read through MFR’s Code of Ethics.

 

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