Oikocredit Presents Social Performance Report 2009

Focus on Microfinance Institutions With Notable Social Mission

FOZ DO IGUACU, Brazil, June 10, 2010 - Oikocredit has released its first Social
Performance report, detailing its commitment to making a positive difference
in the lives of the poor through access to financial services. The report
shows the progression and results of Oikocredit's many years evaluating
social performance. It will be presented today at Oikocredit's Annual General
Meeting in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil.

For the past 35 years, Oikocredit's primary goal has been to provide
credit to organizations which may otherwise not have access to finance. This
often means supporting less established, more rural organizations, which have
a notable social focus. Many are small organizations which support women,
target rural communities and are environmentally aware. "We can't assume that
reaching the poor and initiating positive change are automatically achieved
through access to finance," said Oikocredit managing director Tor G. Gull.
"To achieve those social goals, the intent must be clearly defined and
measured like financial performance is defined and measured. A combined
social and financial perspective is vital for effective management in this
sector."

Oikocredit monitors information on partners' outreach, products and
services, as well as attention given to gender, the community and the
environment. These social indicators provide a comprehensive overview, which
reflects Oikocredit's commitment to supporting grassroots economies.
"Oikocredit's target groups, mission and goals are all weighted towards
social impact," said Oikocredit director Social Performance and Financial
Analysis Ben Simmes. "So it is essential for our clients, investors and staff
that we measure how financial support translates into real life. We hope
reporting in this detailed way contributes to industry-wide improvements in
transparency, accountability and to products and services for the poor."

Oikocredit manages over EUR 425 million in development financing to
almost 800 project partners, in 70 countries. Of these partners, over 500 are
microfinance institutions, reaching more than 17 million clients, of whom 85%
are women and 53% live in rural areas.

It is paramount all partners share Oikocredit's outlook on poverty
reduction and fair financing. Oikocredit is implementing an ESG
(environmental, social, governance) scorecard that analyzes an organization's
operations and looks at transparency of costs, client satisfaction and
evaluation of a client's ability to repay the loan. Oikocredit was also among
the first signatories of the Client Protection Principles - a Smart Campaign
initiative protecting microfinance clients against unfair lending practises.

Visit www.oikocredit.org/socialperformance to read the full Social
Performance Report 2009 and for more information on social performance and
Oikocredit.

Oikocredit

Oikocredit is a worldwide financial institution that promotes global
justice by empowering disadvantaged people with credit. Since 1975 Oikocredit
has offered loans, guarantees and investment capital to microfinance
institutions, cooperatives, fair trade and other businesses. Today,
Oikocredit operates in more than 70 countries. For more information, visit
www.oikocredit.org.

Press contact Oikocredit International: Kawien Ziedses des Plantes,
kziedsesdesplantes at oikocredit.org, +31-(0)6-272-549-04; Press contact Oikocredit USA: Terry Provance, usa at oikocredit.org, +1-202-728-41-40; Press contact Oikocredit UK: Patrick Hynes, uk at oikocredit.org, +44-(0)1995-602806