This week, Panama made the first issuance of social bonds, worth up to $40 million. This milestone was marked by Microserfin and with it he entered the Latin American Stock Exchange (Latinex), reported its general manager, Edison Mejía, who was very optimistic about the future of the entity, with more than 20 years of experience.

“The entry of Microserfin on the stock exchange is a reflection of the continuous growth of the entity and our commitment to the sustainable development of the country, impacting today more than 19,500 entrepreneurs, who have genuinely positioned us in the market as the best option to obtain facilities for access to financing to boost their businesses from sectors traditionally excluded from the financial system,” Mejía said.

The executive president of the Latin American Stock Exchange (Latinex), Olga Cantillo, for her part, stressed that the entry into the market of the first “social negotiable securities”, by Microserfin, opens a range of opportunities for investors looking to generate social impact in Panama.

“At Latinex we are committed to leading the way towards a more sustainable and inclusive Panamanian capital market through various initiatives, such as the development of Guidelines for the issuance of social, green and sustainable negotiable securities (SVS), as well as for the voluntary reporting and disclosure of environmental, social and corporate governance (ASG) factors. For this reason, we celebrate this milestone with the ringing of the bell, highlighting the ability of the financial sector to catalyze a social change of impact and consolidate a more supportive and sustainable future for all Panamanians,” said Cantillo.

According to the data provided, Microserfin is the first financial institution in the country, focused on microfinance, to present a rotating program of social corporate bonds on the Latin American Stock Exchange with an open collection of up to $40 million, stipulated for 10 years.

The issuance of social bonds will allow Microserfin to strengthen and expand its portfolio of financial and non-financial products, adapted to the needs of the population it serves in 83% of the country’s districts, boosting the businesses and productive activities of microentrepreneurs.

At the end of 2023, the commercial activities developed by Microserfin generated a portfolio placement of more than $34.5 million, contributing to the eradication of social gaps through the “productive finance” methodology, boosting the businesses of the country’s microentrepreneurs, also impacting their families and communities.