The Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD), Inc.

Founded as a social development organization in December 1986, CARD has evolved into an outstanding microfinance institution (MFI) that is presently leading the pack of microfinance institutions in the Philippines. In a country with 4.2 million households (2002 estimate) living below the poverty line, CARD’s achievement in microfinance services delivery, which has reached out to more than 500,000 households, has been widely recognized. Since taking off with its Grameen-style microlending in 1989, CARD has spent considerable time in refining the methodology with the end in view of achieving the twin goals of outreach and sustainability. A major event in CARD’s history came in 1997 when CARD NGO obtained from the Central Bank of the Philippines the license to operate as a rural bank. To date, CARD Bank has established 22 branches, while 393 branches continue to operate under CARD NGO.

VISION

CARD MRI is the global leader in the microfinance industry owned and led by members upholding the core values of excellence, competence, integrity, family spirit, humility and simplicity.

MISSION

CARD MRI is committed to:

Build sustainable financial and capacity building institutions owned and led by socially and economically challenged families;

Provide continued access to integrated microfinance and social development (credit with education, leadership with a heart, innovative community programs) services to an expanding membership base by organizing and empowering women and their families; and

Continue upholding the highest standards of stewardship of financial, human and institutional resources.