Technical Asstiance on microfinance operations to Beichuan Fumin village and township bank

Beichuan Fuming Village and Township Bank (the VTB) was established in 2007 in Bichuan, Mianyang Municipality, Sichuan Province. In 2008, the whole county town of Beichuan was flattened due to the earthquake. The VTB was also completely destroyed, as its building collapsed and some of its staff members died or were seriously injured. The VTB was then rebuilt in 2009 and became the first VTB in China which can operate beyond its geographic location, i.e. operate in other counties in Mianyang Municipality, including An county and Fucheng District. IFC recently participated in the equity of the VTB. Following this equity investment, IFC provided the VTB with a Grant for the purpose of strengthening its microfinance operations. Against this background, IFC is recruiting a consulting firm (the Consultant) to carry out the TA project to strengthen several areas of the VTBs operations. The objective of the project is to assist Beichuan VTB to develop into a competitive and commercially sustainable microfinance institution serving the lower segments of the market, particularly the rural clients. The project will last for 3 years covering 7 components including project development; credit management; risk management; training; HR management; internal controls and responsible finance / social performance.