Technical training for the financial sector

External, Spanish-language evaluation covered the period 8/87-11/88. The project has achieved its goal of improving the efficiency of Ecuador"s public and private sector financial institutions and its purpose of developing IPBF"s ability to provide the training needed for this improvement. IPBF is operational in Quito, Guyaquil, and Cuenca, and has offered courses for bankers, financieras, mutualistas, and insurance personnel. Training has included open and private courses, conferences, seminars, and special programs for managers at all levels and from different geographic locations. In all, IPBF has trained 3,418 persons in 141 training events, against respective targets of 2,500 and 100. Regarding other objectives, the project: (1) is strengthening IPBF"s training efforts through a program of research and case studies (a highly promising line of action); and (2) is promoting technology transfer through courses taught by foreign instructors both separately and in conjunction with local instructors. A total of 46 local instructors have been adequately trained to continue with the courses. On the negative side, IPBF"s link to the private sector has to date been based mainly on the latter"s participation in IPBF courses rather than on any formal linkage mechanism. In addition, IPBF has been unable to attain the goal of financial self-sufficiency; A.I.D. still provides about two-thirds of the funding for the IPBF program with the greatest potential impact - the international program. IPBF submitted a proposal for a 2-year no-cost extension, but the Mission considers the project a completed success and has decided not extend the project beyond the 8/89 PACD. It is now up to IPBF to obtain more support from the banking sector.