Rupert Scofield

Rupert Scofield co-founded FINCA in 1984 with John Hatch and together they helped inspire and build the global microfinance movement. Their work was rooted in the belief that market-based principles, trust in individuals and involving women in local business activities were critical to the economic and social well-being of communities.

From 1994 until his passing in 2022, Rupert served as President and CEO of FINCA International, the majority-owner of a global network of community-based microfinance institutions and banks across Africa, Eurasia, Latin America, the Middle East and South Asia. Through this network—known as FINCA Impact Finance—FINCA International enables access to responsible and innovative financial services for those living at the bottom of the pyramid. Under Rupert’s leadership, FINCA grew from a credit-only, group-lending program—the original Village Banking™—with 60,000 clients and a loan portfolio of $5 million to a network of innovative microfinance institutions offering a range of financial services across five continents with two million clients and a loan portfolio of over $1 billion.

After more than two decades of growing and scaling a global microfinance network, Rupert led FINCA International on the next leg of its journey: supporting the rise of social enterprises delivering basic service and financial innovation. This work expands access to essential products in energy, water and sanitation, education, health, agriculture and fintech for the world’s poor. Combined, FINCA International’s work in microfinance and social enterprise catalyzes greater resilience and opportunity, and helps low-income families achieve a better standard of living.

Beyond his leadership role in FINCA International, Rupert served on the boards of FINCA Canada and FINCA UK, two independent but affiliated charitable organizations. In 2011, Rupert helped champion the launch of the Partnership for Responsible Financial Inclusion (formerly the Microfinance CEO Working Group), a collaborative effort of leading international organizations advocating for responsible financial services and promoting financial inclusion around the world. Rupert served as the organization’s Chair for seven years before stepping aside and assuming the role of Chair Emeritus.

As a frequent keynote speaker on microfinance, social enterprise and impact investing, Rupert was passionate about inspiring the next generation of leaders who want to solve big problems like world poverty. His book, The Social Entrepreneur’s Handbook: How to Start, Build and Run a Business that Improves the World (McGraw-Hill, 2011), tells the story of how FINCA was built, with practical advice for other entrepreneurs intent on creating large-scale, lasting social impact. Rupert also was the presenter of The Social Enterprise Podcast, a monthly audio series that explores the ins and outs of social entrepreneurship.

Prior to FINCA, Rupert was the CEO of Rural Development Services, a consulting firm, and Country Program Director of the AFL-CIO’s Labor Program in El Salvador. He served in the Peace Corps in Guatemala, where he made his first microloans in the early 1970s.

Rupert received M.A. degrees in agricultural economics and public administration from the University of Wisconsin, a B.A. from Brown University and an honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Roehampton in the UK.

Born in New York in 1949, Rupert resolved at an early age that he would never work for “the man” and would never, ever, have a career in banking. His accident-prone career led to a lifetime of dodging revolutions, earthquakes and assassins across the developing world, and once running for his life from a mob in Mogadishu, Somalia. But it also brought moments of such joy and satisfaction that can only be found in helping others to gain control over their lives, achieve financial independence, access life-enhancing goods and raise their standard of living.

Rupert’s passing on November 27, 2022 was a monumental loss to FINCA and global community that he dedicated his life to serving. You can read more about Rupert and his final call-to-action here.