Accion Unites Globally Around New Shared Identity

BOSTON, March 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Accion®, a pioneer and leader in global microfinance, today announced the launch of its new global identity, which positions the nonprofit to advance its goal of a 'financially inclusive world with economic opportunity for all' in a more unified way. Going forward, all Accion entities will go to market under the single brand and logo, "Accion." In the past, Accion had used such brands as ACCION International and ACCION USA, and several others.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120320/NE72531LOGO )

The new image, tone and style reflect the organization's refocused strategy and serve as a platform for strengthening partnerships, connecting with donors, and better communicating to clients about the range of quality financial services available to them through Accion and its partner programs.

The new visuals have been designed to acknowledge the organization's rich 50-year history as it moves to a bolder, warmer and more contemporary look, while its new vision and mission statements and tagline all reflect the organization's sharpened focus.

Today, more than 10,000 microfinance institutions (MFIs) reach more than 200 million of the world's poor. However, only a fraction of those MFIs has reached meaningful scale and sustainability, and there are a further 2.7 billion people who remain excluded from the financial system altogether. Accion's goal is to address these challenges by building the next generation of top-tier MFIs; by going beyond MFIs to accelerate new business models, technologies and channels; and by helping to create a stronger industry through higher standards.

"In showing the world a unified brand, we are better positioned to draw on our collective hard work, and build a more recognizable and stronger organization," said Michael Schlein, Accion president and CEO. "A unified brand – and a strategy that strengthens it – helps opens doors, create opportunities, and allows us to better accomplish our goals."

The new brand elements can be seen at www.accion.org.

About Accion
Accion is a global nonprofit dedicated to building a financially inclusive world with access to economic opportunity for all, by giving people the financial tools they need to improve their lives. A world pioneer in microfinance, over the last 50 years we have helped build 62 microfinance institutions in 31 countries on four continents. Those institutions are currently reaching millions of clients. The Accion U.S. Network is the largest microfinance network in the country and, since inception, has served hundreds of thousands of clients with loans and support. For further information, visit www.accion.org.

®Accion is a registered trademark of Accion International.

SOURCE Accion