“Providing a “ladder of opportunity” to thousands in Rwanda”
Urwego Opportunity Bank of Rwanda
(UOB) was created in 2007 to provide savings, loans, insurance and other financial services and training to individuals living and working at the base of Rwanda’s economic pyramid.“Urwego” in Kinyarwanda means to provide someone “a ladder up”. UOB is a regulated commercial bank owned by four Christian nonprofit organizations, Opportunity International, World Relief, Hope International and World Relief Canada.
Bridge2Rwanda board members, Dale Dawson, Bishop John Rucyahana and Dabbs Cavin labored on the founding of UOB from 2004-2007. Dabbs served as UOB’s first CEO, and Dale and Bishop John currently serve on UOB’s board of directors.
Today, UOB has seven full-service branch offices and 24 loan production offices in 28 of Rwanda’s 30 districts. It has more than 32,000 loan clients and over 20,000 savings clients. The bank’s average outstanding loan is about $200 and its average savings account balance is about $80. One of the bank’s goals is to make fingerprint accessible savings accounts available throughout Rwanda.
Responding to God’s call, Jeffrey Lee became UOB’s CEO in early 2009. See jeffreyandkristinleeinrwanda.blogspot.com. With 30 years of banking experience in South Korea and the US, Jeffrey is recognized as one of the most experienced bankers in Rwanda. Prior to joining UOB, Jeffrey worked in New York City as CEO of Shinhan Bank America, the US division of one of Korea’s largest banks. Previously, he served as CEO of Premier Bank in Denver, the largest SBA lender in Colorado. Jeffrey earned his MBA from the University of Southern California and studied leadership at Denver Seminary.
Urwego Opportunity Bank
Urwego Opportunity Bank
“Providing a “ladder of opportunity” to thousands in Rwanda”
Urwego Opportunity Bank of Rwanda
(UOB) was created in 2007 to provide savings, loans, insurance and other financial services and training to individuals living and working at the base of Rwanda’s economic pyramid.“Urwego” in Kinyarwanda means to provide someone “a ladder up”. UOB is a regulated commercial bank owned by four Christian nonprofit organizations, Opportunity International, World Relief, Hope International and World Relief Canada.
Bridge2Rwanda board members, Dale Dawson, Bishop John Rucyahana and Dabbs Cavin labored on the founding of UOB from 2004-2007. Dabbs served as UOB’s first CEO, and Dale and Bishop John currently serve on UOB’s board of directors.
Today, UOB has seven full-service branch offices and 24 loan production offices in 28 of Rwanda’s 30 districts. It has more than 32,000 loan clients and over 20,000 savings clients. The bank’s average outstanding loan is about $200 and its average savings account balance is about $80. One of the bank’s goals is to make fingerprint accessible savings accounts available throughout Rwanda.
Responding to God’s call, Jeffrey Lee became UOB’s CEO in early 2009. See jeffreyandkristinleeinrwanda.blogspot.com. With 30 years of banking experience in South Korea and the US, Jeffrey is recognized as one of the most experienced bankers in Rwanda. Prior to joining UOB, Jeffrey worked in New York City as CEO of Shinhan Bank America, the US division of one of Korea’s largest banks. Previously, he served as CEO of Premier Bank in Denver, the largest SBA lender in Colorado. Jeffrey earned his MBA from the University of Southern California and studied leadership at Denver Seminary.