Microfinance investment opportunities have been well received by Credit Suisse clients seeking socially responsible investments. They provide a "double bottom line": a positive financial return (despite the global financial crisis), and a social impact by offering first-time access to financial services to the poor.

The Mexican microfinance bank Compartamos Banco took the industry by surprise in 2007 with a successful IPO that valued the bank at more than US$ 1 billion.