Bamboo Capital Partners has announced its exit from the Peruvian-based microfinance bank Mibanco through a divestiture to Credicorp Ltd. for a total value of PEN$131.1m. 

(Finextra) Bamboo Capital Partners (“Bamboo”), the pioneering private equity firm delivering positive social and financial value, today announces that it has exited its investment from Mibanco, Latin America’s largest microfinance bank by asset size, through a divestiture to Credicorp Ltd. The transaction will see Bamboo selling its shares to Credicorp Ltd. for a total value of PEN 131.1m. This is based on a price per share of PEN 3.95.

Bamboo’s investment in Mibanco via its Financial Inclusion Fund I (FIF I) is Bamboo’s most significant investment to date. Following the investment, which made Bamboo the largest minority shareholder, the firm held a seat at Mibanco’s board where it provided strategic input and guidance throughout the investment period.

Today, Peru headquartered Mibanco has grown to become Latin America’s largest microfinance provider with a PEN 9,471m loan portfolio, which yields PEN 362[2]m of net income. Founded in 1998, Mibanco is Peru’s fifth largest bank providing both lending and savings products. Mibanco has a particular focus on providing loans to micro and small businesses.

Commenting on the exit, Jean-Philippe de Schrevel, Founder and Managing Partner at Bamboo, said: “As a supportive shareholder throughout our investment period, I am delighted that Mibanco has cemented and furthered its role as one of the world’s pre-eminent microfinance providers. By providing micro and small businesses with access to finance, Mibanco has helped spur strong domestic development throughout Peru – this is fully aligned with Bamboo’s ethos of having impact at scale.

“Mibanco is also an example of Bamboo investing in a business with substantial scalability underpinned by demographics, technology and significant market opportunities. Moreover, with the business in such rude health and having had board representation for 7 years, now is the time for us to exit and to realise our investment return.”

Commenting on the acquisition, Walter Bayly CEO of Credicorp Ltd., said: “This transaction closes a chapter of fruitful collaboration with Bamboo. Having been a long term investor in Mibanco, Bamboo has contributed considerably to the development of the institution and proven to be a great partner. In the future, and building upon this positive experience, we expect to maintain a successful and strong relationship with the Bamboo team.

“Overall, we are pleased with this acquisition as it continues to strengthen our presence in the microfinance business”.

Financial Services is one of Bamboo’s three sector focuses, backing companies that help enable financial inclusion amongst those currently underserved and without access to financial products. Bamboo has two Financial Services funds – FIF I and FIF II – having made 36 investments and 11 exits in the sector to date.

Bamboo also recently exited from Vitas Group, a leading microfinance institution in post conflict MENA and Eastern Europe regions. In addition, Bamboo also led a $14 million investment in ComparaOnline, the leading marketplace for financial products in Latin America through FIF II in September of last year.