IMPACTASSETS 50™
An Annual Showcase of Impact Investment Fund Managers
ImpactAssets 50
An Annual Showcase of Impact Investment Fund Managers
Finance in Motion
Clean Technology, Alternative Energy & Climate Change
Natural Resources and Conservation
Microfinance, low-income financial services & micro-insuranceFirm Overview
Finance in Motion is a global impact asset manager focused exclusively on sustainable development in emerging markets and developing economies. We generate positive change by designing and implementing impact driven investment vehicles and investment solutions addressing climate change, strengthening biodiversity conservation, and fostering the sustainable use of natural resources to improve livelihoods and promote economic opportunities – contributing to 13 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. We currently manage and advise 9 funds which have invested over EUR 7 billion across the globe through equity and debt financing placed with financial institutions, projects, and corporates. Technical assistance accompanies these investments to maximize impact and promote responsible finance. Finance in Motion furthermore makes selected direct investments in impactful enterprises that share the company’s values. Through 16 offices managing activities across over 35 countries, Finance in Motion helps partners develop their businesses and demonstrate that sustainable and financial returns can go hand-in-hand.
Years of Operation: 10 years or more
% of Capital from Top 3 Investors: 25% – 49%
Finance in Motion Asset Management Group stands for leading impact asset management and advice in emerging markets. We believe in making a positive difference for people and planet. Our ambition: to create and co-create client focused impact investment solutions in nature-based finance, green economy and financial inclusion.
Driven by the belief that economic returns can go hand-in-hand with positive social and environmental results, we design, manage and advise alternative investment funds, applying impact investing principles to diverse investment strategies – ranging from debt to equity and spanning over a multitude of social and environmental topics. We connect different sources of capital available in mature financial markets with those who need capital in undersupplied markets, enabling our investors to create significant development impact. We pursue a holistic approach for impact by combining investments with technical assistance and research activities, as many environmental and social challenges cannot be solved by monetary means alone. Where possible, we engage sectoral institutions to solve local issues and foster an inclusive financial sector environment adhering to the principles of responsible finance. We invest in long-lasting relationships and firmly believe that operating in physical proximity to our investees is the key to mutual success.
Instead of including impact as one of multiple product lines we solely focus on impact investing in emerging markets. We serve a wide range of topics, focusing on environmental and social themes, targeting diverse investees from financial institutions to fintechs, agricultural enterprises, and RE projects, and leverageing various instruments from debt to equity. As a pioneer of the blended finance fund model with a 13-year track record, we bring together private investors, international financial institutions, and donor agencies. Customized technical assistance helps anchor our impact by enhancing conditions that foster sustainable development. Our international staff operates from 16 offices worldwide providing on-the-ground knowledge of regional needs. Our impact management system has been independently verified as best in class consecutively by BlueMark according to the Impact Principles. The holistic approach we follow combines E&S performance with positive impact and is integrated into every step of the investment cycle.
Investment Example
The eco.business Fund promotes business and consumption practices contributing to biodiversity conservation, the sustainable use of natural resources and climate change mitigation and adaptation in Latin America, the Caribbean, and sub-Saharan Africa. The fund invests in local FIs committed to promoting green finance and directly in businesses pursuing sustainable production and consumption. Banco Lafise Bancentro, an investee of the fund, provides financial services that foster financial inclusion in Nicaragua. The fund supports the bank with multiple technical assistance projects resulting in the development of an Environmental and Social Management System and a respective impact framework. Finca La Luz, a family-run coffee business and a client of Banco Lafise Bancentro, applies sustainable practices in shade-grown coffee production. The loans were used to renew coffee trees for a more durable yet sustainable crop. The farm reserves 18% of their land for native forests and uses climate smart technologies to reduce water consumption.
Leadership and Team
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Elvira Lefting – Managing Director More Info
Elvira Lefting is responsible for the debt investments, technical assistance operations, and the company’s regional offices. She has devoted her career exclusively to development finance, combining financial sector development with the objectives of the green and blue economy. Elvira started her professional career at at German development consultancy IPC before moving to the EBRD and then KfW, adding a stint at the China Development Bank in between. Elvira holds an MA in Slavic Studies from the Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg. |
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Sylvia Wisniwski – Managing Director More Info
Sylvia Wisniwski oversees risk management at Finance in Motion. She has more than 25 years’ experience in development finance in over 30 countries and started her career in German international cooperation (GIZ). Sylvia has worked as a consultant for international organizations and held various management positions at consulting companies and asset managers before her appointment as Managing Director at Finance in Motion in 2010. She holds both an M.A. in Political Science and Sociology and an MBA from Tübingen University as well as an M.A. in International Studies from the University of Miami, Florida. |
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Christoph Freytag – Managing Director More Info
Christoph leads core business support areas such as Finance, Fund Operations, Legal, Compliance, and IT. Christoph spent over 20 years championing inclusive banking and development finance in emerging markets. He has led institution building operations in Russia, Bulgaria, and Serbia; served as Managing Director of IPC; and became the first Managing Director of ProCredit Bank Germany in 2012. He joined the team of Managing Directors at Finance in Motion in 2018. Christoph is certified banker and graduated (M.A.) in economics from the Frankfurt University. |
Financial Performance
Impact Performance
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Percentage of Total Assets Under
Management that are Impact Investments: |
100%
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Impact management is integrated throughout the investment cycle. Positive impact potential is a key factor in investee selection. During the DD process, alignment with the impact objective is reviewed. Only if the investment meets the financial, impact and E&S requirements, will it proceed. We also identify areas for improvement where tailored TA is deployed strengthening capacities and deepening impact. Our funds invest exclusively in emerging markets. A large share of the financing is channeled through financial intermediaries to achieve scale and build a conducive ecosystem. To a smaller extent, funds invest directly in companies and projects. The Green for Growth Fund, e.g., is investing in RE projects. This contributes to the long-term development of sustainable energy production and reduced CO2 emissions mitigating climate change, establishing strong standards and markets for commercial RE development. By combining financing and TA, we aim to enhance investee E&S practices and overall sustainability focus.
Every fund has an Environmental and Social (E&S) Policy governing its investments to assure appropriate E&S risk management. Finance in Motion also has a dedicated Impact & Sustainability team, which supports the funds in developing and implementing their E&S management system (ESMS) throughout the investment cycle. The funds also provide technical assistance to strengthen an investee’s ESMS. Prior to an investment, we ensure that the potential investee meets core (E&S) eligibility standards. We assess the potential investee’s internal practices, based on a review of environmental & social performance, related policy frameworks, corporate governance, and responsibility of business practices. Such assessments, based on on- and off-site due diligence, are repeated for each new transaction and results are reflected in the investment proposal. Investees’ E&S performance is reviewed on an annual basis via dedicated reporting and ad-hoc reporting in case material incidence occur.
Impact Tracking and Monitoring
Learn More
Carl-von-Noorden-Platz 5, Finance in Motion GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, Hessen 60596 Germany
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