The 10 Most Influential Men of 2006
7. Muhammad Yunus
Yunus, often called “the Banker to the Poor,” received the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for helping reduce poverty throughout Bangladesh. Through his self-funded Grameen Bank, Yunus spent the last 30 years granting small loans to the poor, many of which used the modest funds to start their own businesses. While the bank has loaned over $6 billion, the average loan has been only $130. The loans broke the norm of conventional lending rules, and were often unsecured loans with repayment based on the honor system. His idea influenced other countries, which began providing loans to its poor based on Yunus’ idea. While accepting the Nobel Peace Prize, he stated: “Poverty does not belong in civilized human society. Its proper place is in a museum.”
Scott Van Allsburg, one of the board members of Williamston Theatre, brought this to my attention. I think this is fabulous.
Tony Caselli 