Banks under construction
With the increasing success of the banks set up by AGFUND in collaboration with its partners and the tangible benefits achieved by borrowers as some ofthem have become a milestone in the domain of their product and project, AGFUND has been receiving a positive response from many countries to establish similar banks which deal with the poor segments of society. Accordingly, AGFUND started procedures to set up the following 5 new banks: Ibda Microfinance Bank in Sudan Ibda Microfinance Bank in Mauritania Ibda Microfinance Bank in Djibouti Ibda Microfinance Bank in Sierra Leone Ibda Microfinance Bank in Palestine The applications of micro-financing through banks for the poor reveal remarkable facts on the feasibility of this mechanism in lifting the target segments from the abyss of poverty and integrating them in the production process. The operating banks provide several successful models for individualsand families who utilized small and micro-financing received in managing their affairs and improving their living conditions. We hereby cite some success stories where their heroes transparently talk about their experiences with the microfinance lending:
Al-Amal Bank in Yemen
His relationship with spices is an old love story. He was very close to them and he never spared them any of his efforts. He learnt from their fragrance how to unleash his ambitions to transcend the limits of place and time. He was very confident in himself and his abilities and that legit i mat ambition has no limitations. He took his very first steps in his professional career.From Bab of Yemen where Abu Hani's Spices Shop lies, the success story of Abdurrahman Al-Qadi starts. Two years have passed since starting to work extremely hard, with an effort indicative of his high professional caliber. There was nothing to hinder his start-up other than his limited capital. He has no more than one million and half Yemeni Riyals. He sought to find a source of financing to multiply his capital and achieve his ambitions. A flash of hope appeared through Al- Amal Microfinance Bank at the beginning of 2009. He was one of the very first applicants for a loan from this Bank. The Bank realized his seriousness and potentials of success. It agreed to grant him a preliminary loan of three hundred thousand Riyals, which he described as "falling rain which watered the tree of his ambition". He worked hard and within half the period specified for repayment, all installments were settled. In appreciation of his efforts and as a means of encouragement of his diligence and perseverance, the Bank agreed to grant him a second loan of four hundred thousand Riyals, which opened for him new avenues for success
Ibda Bank in Bahrain
When Nawal Al-Mir inaugurated her shop "My Touch" in Al- Muharraq on the first of August 2010, she did not believe that she realized a dream which obsessed her for a long time. This dream has never vanished ever since she was a student, when she used to gather with her colleagues to
close friends used to advise her to transform her hobby into a business project. With the persistent advise of her friends and relatives and the support of her husband, she decided to join the training course organized by UNIDO entitled "Pioneering Small and Medium Businesses". There, she came to know how to set up and refine a project concept and prepare a feasibility study, business plan and marketing and promotional plan. Nawal felt no complacency as she did not wish to keep her project on paper;she wanted to bring it into reality. She wanted it to become a reality. She went to Ibda Microfinance Bank and got two consecutive loans. She started her business from home first as she prepared gifts for occasions. She used online social network sites and brochures as a means to reach customers. When she found a great demand on gifts, she determined to open a shop for selling gifts and flowers. Nawal Al-Mir says: "I would like to thank Ibda Bank because they supported my project financially and morally. They used to watch my steps one by one, attended the inauguration ceremony of my shop and they are still in touch with me.It is not the end of the world
" Having retired from the Bahrain Petroleum Company, "BAPCO", Hassan Kazem could not find a job, so he decided to resort to the sea to engage in fishing to cover the expenses of his 12-member family. The retirement pension was not enough to cover family expenses and provide a stable life. Due to his limited resources, the catch from the sea was not enough to meet the needs of his family.
T here fore , he determined to search for assistance to increase his income from the work which he loves. He received a grant from Tamkeen under the Fishermen Support Program managed by Ibda Bank. This was a turning point in his life. The grant enabled him to buy a large Bahraini cruiser with a larger capacity to hold fish. Thanks to this grant, the daily quantity of fish Hassan Kazem used to get has multiplied and he was able to cover the full expenses of his family and he also managed to repay all his debts. Hassan Kazem said "You do not know the extent of suffering I underwent in my small cruiser. It was fit to hold a small quantity of fish. It was not flat. So, during washing it, I used to take away water from its inside by a bucket and pour it into the sea. It was a real suffering. Today, the cruiser that I bought is flat. It is easy to put the fish in order and it is equally easy to wash and steer it. I would like to thank Tamkeen and Ibda Bank which generously supported me.
" Al-Watani Bank in Jordan
Motaz worked in the hotel industry for over 12 years, where he used to give 5-star services to all his clients, but was unable to advance in his work and fulfill his dreams. He wondered about not rendering these 5-star services by establishing his own business and becoming independent.Three years ago, he opened his own Turkish bath in Madaba, which he named "Madaba Turkish Bath". It was small at the beginning and needed a substantial amount of investment. The Bath was given a grant from USAID to further develop the tourism industry in the area. This was a great accomplishment because the grant highlighted his potential for success and his innate talent. However, the grant did not fully cover all the expenses of the bath. Additionally, he was facing some financial challenges due to a weaker economy and recent construction in the area. Facing these challenges, he was not sure what he could do. He did not have the capital and could not access financial services from standard banks. He had recently heard about micro loans with soft terms and conditions. At the same time, Al-Watani opened a new branch in the area. He had heard positive feedback andreactions to the bank, thus he wanted to give it a try. He came to Al-Watani for a loan, but found far more than he expected; he found comfort and sincere advice. In the first meeting between the loan officer in the Bank, Al-Watani noted Motaz's strengths and potential which guarantee his success. He had a strong view of himself and his society. He got an investment loan for JD4,000. With the money, he redesigned the reception and meeting area to be more inviting and comfortable. He also improved one of the bath rooms. The bath has now become a jewel in the area boasting traditional elements and excellent customer treatment. With the bath, Mutaz is now able to support his family, where he employs now a number of them. He also has become able to give financial assistance to send his brothers to university. He has also been able to work independently and fulfill his dreams. Apart from the comfort and understanding he found in dealing with Al-Watani Bank, he has been able to excel and continue realizing his dreams. The benefits accrued from the business of Motaz have gone beyond his own personal gain to extend to his community and country. Al-Watani is proud of this client and looks forward to his continued success.
Finally, she found the peace of mind
Hodna is not one to shy away from a challenge. She demonstrates strength and courage through all her actions from raising her children to running a successful business in her community. Originally from Gaza, she witnessed suffered, both at home in Gaza and when 
she moved to live in Jordan in under privileged areas. To meet her and her community's needs, she decided to start her own business. She took notice that many people could not afford clothes sold at malls and stores. She decided to sell used clothes that people could afford. She needed many inputs to start her business. Unable to go to ordinary banks to obtain the seed capital required. She found microfinance suitable for her needs. She started to take loans to sell clothes from a car park. She sold children's and men's clothes, as well as tablecloths. As her customer base grew, she soon generated more income and needed more capital to buy clothes. She found her demand was high and many people were benefiting from her inexpensive clothes. She was now ready for further expansion. She wanted a store, where she could hang and display her beautiful clothings. At the same time, Al-Watani was opening a branch in the area and a loan officer, Mr. Alaa, was passing through her area. Hodna met Alaa and from the very first meeting, Hodna could not resist the opportunity available and thought that time was opportune to expand and Alaa was her guide. From that day on, Alaa and Hodna have become good friends and continued to work together. Hodna is of the opinion that the prompt approval of her application for a loan and the ease of the terms of its repayment were among the most important factors in enabling her to expand her business. Thus "Al-Watani" has become the main source of micro-financing for her; she is no longer considering any other source.
Hodna has been running her own business for the last three years, which has become an
asset in her area. Hodna is supporting her family of 11 children in addition to her husband. She is the primary source of income in the family. She is also well known in her community for offering good quality goods at good prices. She finds her business financially rewarding and gives her the peace of mind. She freely gives clothes to the local mosque and to the mental institution once a week. She wants to pay back what she considers to be a debt for her area as a result of the opportunities it availed her. Additionally, she values the power and necessity of savings. She has a savings jar for her house rental and for her children's school expenses. In order to manage hers affairs and her expenses, she records and documents all ransactions, whether received or any paid. Savings are the means of economic development and Hodna is on the right tract in this respect.