Opening Markets through Strategic Partnerships: The Alliance Between Ameen Sal and Three Lebanese Commercial Banks (microREPORT)

Since its inception, AMEEN SAL in Lebanon has employed a partnership model with commercial banks to lend to microenterprises, which is a market that banks had not entered on their own. Through the partnerships, AMEEN effectively acts as a service company whereby it carries out key functions, including loan origination and supervision, on behalf of the banks. AMEEN now has partnerships with three Lebanese banks - Jammal Trust Bank, Crédit Libanais and Lebanese Canadian Bank. The partnerships have ensured that ongoing funding was available to increase outreach to new clients and to maintain continued portfolio growth. This case study analyzes the origins and operations of the alliance, and identifies key success factors and lessons learned for other financial institutions and donors interested in replicating this model.