Grameen Shakti, Bangladesh, Micro-finance solar home systems

Grameen Shakti won an Ashden Award for Sustainable Energy in 2006.
Grameen Shakti has sold and installed over 65,000 solar home-systems (SHS) in rural Bangladesh, and brought major benefits to its users. Nearly 70% of households in Bangladesh are not connected to the electricity grid and depend on kerosene for lighting. This includes most rural areas and extends as far as the fringes of Dhaka. There are plans to extend the grid, but there is little prospect of substantial change in the foreseeable future.
By selling SHS, Grameen Shakti has provided lighting, communications (especially mobile phone charging) and TV, and has increased employment opportunities. It is the largest single installer of SHS in Bangladesh.
This impressive number of installations has been achieved by enabling users to purchase their systems on micro-credit with affordable terms, tailored to their specific needs. Funding for the micro-credit system comes from the World Bank and GEF via the Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) which provides Grameen Shakti with both subsidy and concessional loans. The cash pool from credit repayments will enable Grameen Shakti to continue the scheme when the subsidy, which is being phased out, ceases in 2008.
Grameen Shakti has also started a network of technology centres throughout the country to manage the installation and maintenance of SHS locally. It emphasises the importance of technicians who know local customs working through local branches, and has trained 2,000 (mainly female) technicians. It aims to install 100,000 systems by 2006 and sees the potential to install one million systems by 2015.

Mike Gravel Responds to Campaign Finance Question

Presidential Candidate Mike Gravel answers a question posted to YouTube.com by Walter from Florida, who asks how can candidates expect to honestly solve healthcare problems when they are taking money from insurance companies.

Islamic Banking and Finance HSBC Amanah – Riyazi Farook

http://islamicfinanceandbanking.blogspot.com
Increasing Islamic banking
Islamic banking is seeing rapid expansion worldwide, with strong growth in the Middle East, Europe and South East Asia. Mohammed Ismaeel, Director Global Marketing, HSBC Amanah, says that many non-Muslims are also choosing Islamic products, with over half of HSBC Amanah’s Asian customers being Chinese.

Finding the Money You Need

There are several sources to consider when looking for financing
Finding the Money You Need
There are several sources to consider when looking for financing. It is important to explore all of your options before making a decision.
Personal savings: The primary source of capital for most new businesses comes from savings and other personal resources. While credit cards are often used to finance business needs, there are usually better options available, even for very small loans.
Friends and relatives: Many entrepreneurs look to private sources such as friends and family when starting out in a business venture. Often, money is loaned interest-free or at a low interest rate, which can be beneficial when getting started.
Banks and credit unions: The most common sources of funding, banks and credit unions, will provide a loan if you can show that your business proposal is sound.
Angel Investors and Venture capital firms: These individuals and firms help expanding companies grow in exchange for equity or partial ownership.
A source of venture capital is the SBA”s Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) Program. SBICs, licensed and regulated by the SBA, are privately owned and managed investment firms that use their own capital, plus funds borrowed at favorable rates with an SBA guarantee, to make venture capital investments in small businesses.
Additional Sources of Capital
Credit Cards
Customer Financing
Employee Stock Ownership (ESOP)
Factoring Accounts Receivables
Home Equity Loans
Mergers and Acquisitions
Purchase Order Financing
State-Specific Economic Development Programs (search your individual state)
Strategic Partnering
Borrowing Money
It is often said that small businesses face difficulty borrowing money, but this is not necessarily true. Banks make money by lending money. However, the inexperience of many small business owners in financial matters often prompts banks to deny loan requests. Requesting a loan when you are not properly prepared suggests to your lender that you are a high risk.
To successfullly obtain a loan, you must be prepared and organized. You must know exactly how much money you need, why you need it, and how you will pay it back. You must be able to convince your lender that you are a good credit risk.
Types of Business Loans
Terms of loans vary from lender to lender, but there are two basic types: short-term and long-term.
Generally, a short-term loan has a maturity of up to one year. These include working capital loans, accounts receivable loans and lines of credit.
Long-term loans have maturities greater than one year but usually less than seven years. Real estate and equipment loans may have maturities of up to 25 years. Long-term loans are used for major business expenses such as purchasing real estate and facilities, construction, durable equipment, furniture and fixtures, vehicles, etc.
SBA loan programs are intended to encourage long-term small business financing, but actual loan maturities are based on the ability to repay, the purpose of the loan proceeds, and the useful life of the assets financed. However, maximum loan maturities have been established: twenty-five years for real estate; up to ten years for equipment (depending on the useful life of the equipment); and generally up to seven years for working capital. Short-term loans are also available through the SBA to help small businesses meet their short term and cyclical working capital needs.

Kevin Phillips Interview, “Bad Money: Reckless Finance”-P2

At drumsnbass request.
May 06, 2008
Full program:
http://www.archive.org/download/dn2008-0506_vid/dn2008-0506_256kb.mp4

Personal vs

Personal vs. Business
Starting up a business can be a tremendous strain on your personal finances. It can take six months or more before your new venture is profitable and can provide financial support for you and your family. Before going into business it is always wise to get your finances in order.

Financial Statements

Understanding financial statements is critically important to the success of a small business
Financial Statements
Understanding financial statements is critically important to the success of a small business.

Open Source Micro Finance

This video describes a bit about the Grameen Foundation and their efforts to create an Open Source Software solution to facilitate the use of microfinance to alleviate worlds poverty.

Finance and Insurance Department in Dealership. Jack…

Visit http://www.autonetwork.com for the largest collection of new car introductions.
What really goes on in the F&I department in an auto dealership? Jack Salzman, owner, Lake Norman Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge tells all.

Boyce Watkins: finance, money and investing with Jim Leher

Dr. Boyce discusses the stock market on The News Hour with Jim Leher. He is on with the James Stovall, Chief Investment Office of Standard & Poors. Dr. Watkins explains why the U.S. Economy may be headed for a retirement crisis. He also argues on the PBS show that many Americans should improve their financial habits. Watkins is also a commentator on Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and others from the 2008 Presidential Election.
Dr. Watkins is a regular guest on CNN, FOX News, BET, CBS, ESPN, and other national media. He was the source of some controversy with Bill O’Reilly from the O’Reilly Factor, and has been a guest on other Fox Shows such as Hannity & Colmes. He has also publicly disputed Bill Cosby for stating that african-american youth and the hip hop generation are not very productive. Watkins wrote “What if George Bush were a Black Man?” and “Everything you ever wanted to know about college”, which he argues is an appeal to the MTV generation to look past 50 Cent, Lil Wayne, TI, Kanye West and others to explore their educational potential. Dr. Boyce is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University and a graduate of The Ohio State University. He recently spoke at The University of Kentucky and demanded that they increase their numbers of black students and faculty. He was also one of the instrumental black leaders behind the scenes during the cases with the Jena 6, Don Imus and Michael Vick. He worked closely with Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson, appearing on the air with them to suggest strategies to get Imus off the air. It was Dr. Watkins’ idea to challenge his corporate sponsors that led to Imus’ dismissal. He was also outspoken on Barry Bonds’ situation and the OJ Simpson trial. Watkins argues that Barry Bonds might be a jerk, but his alleged indiscretion is no worse than the evidence against Lance Armstrong for the use of performance enhancing drugs. He made his comments on the Tom Joyner Morning Show, The Wendy Williams Experience, CNN, FOX, BET, CBS and other networks.
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