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About Financial Services Volunteer Corps

The Financial Services Volunteer Corps (FSVC) is a not-for-profit, private-public partnership whose mission is to help build sound banking and financial systems in transition and developing countries. Sound financial infrastructure, together with the rule of law, is necessary to mobilize domestic savings, attract foreign investment, deepen international trade linkages, and create conditions that promote lasting economic opportunity. FSVC was founded in 1990 by the late Cyrus Vance, former U.S. Secretary of State, and John Whitehead, former Co-Chairman of Goldman Sachs and former US Deputy Secretary of State, at the request of President George H. W. Bush.

FSVC's Board is currently co-chaired by Mr. Whitehead and Paul Volcker, former Chairman of the Board of Governors of the US Federal Reserve System. John Walker, a partner at Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett and a leading international lawyer, serves as the President of the Board. FSVC·s Executive Director is Andrew Spindler. FSVC's core work concentrates on strengthening commercial banking systems, developing central bank capabilities, and building capital markets. Major additional areas of work include the legal framework for the financial system, payments system development, pension reform, and the combating of money laundering and financial corruption.

International Voluntary Service Activities

FSVC structures practical, results-oriented technical assistance and training missions staffed by financial sector practitioners who serve as unpaid volunteers. Over the past fourteen years, more than 5,500 experts from the financial, legal and regulatory communities have taken part in more than 1,100 FSVC missions, reaching nearly 30,000 counterparts in 30 developing and transition countries. Over the past several years, FSVC has operated its largest programs in Russia, the Balkans and Indonesia.

In the Spring of 2004, FSVC began major new programs in Morocco, Egypt and Jordan under the auspices of the US Department of State·s Middle East Partnership Initiative. By recruiting currently employed professionals at the peak of their careers to serve as volunteers, FSVC is able to provide technical assistance that is objective, independent and state-of-the-art. In addition, recipients of FSVC's assistance develop valuable professional relationships with volunteers and establish institutional linkages with sponsoring institutions. These institutional linkages provide significant additional benefit to counterparts over the long term.

Volunteer for Prosperity Opportunities
Number of Opportunities	200
Geographic Regions	Asia, Middle East, Near East,Russia, Fr. Soviet Union
Health & Prosperity Sectors	Economic Growth, Capacity Building
Types of Opportunities	Management, Technical
Average Duration of Projects	1-2 weeks
Volunteer Profile Summary
FSVC Volunteers are typically senior-level and some mid-level professionals from the financial sector, primarily bankers, lawyers and regulators as well as specialists in accounting, auditing, and other financial areas. While some volunteers are recent retirees, the majority of FSVC volunteers are currently working full-time. Approximately 70% of volunteers come from the United States, and 30% come from international companies and regulators in Europe and Asia.