Compartamos is Mexico’s largest microfinance institution and one of the most important in the region. It has more than 600,000 clients, more than 95 percent of whom are women living in rural areas. The company makes loans averaging approximately $450 to microenterprises, solidarity groups, and individuals. The IIC will invest in Compartamos by purchasing a time deposit certificate issued by the latter. This investment will support Compartamos as it grows its microcredit portfolio, deepens its target market, and launches a microsavings program. It should also help Compartamos diversify its sources of local-currency funding. By investing in Compartamos, the IIC will contribute to job creation and the development of microenterprises in sectors with few opportunities for access to commercial credit, especially women in rural areas. It will also help build a credit culture by enabling Compartamos to provide more financial services to sectors that have traditionally lacked them.