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Akorbi CEO Key Speaker with U.S. Comptroller of Currency Highlighting the positive impact of Microlending

(DALLAS, TEXAS – MAY 27, 2010)

Akorbi Language Consulting (www.akorbi.com), a global language service provider to the healthcare, technology, legal, pharmaceutical and government industries, announced today that CEO Claudia Mirza was a key speaker at a recent seminar, that highlighted the importance of micro-lending to small business growth in America.

Mirza, along with U.S. Comptroller of Currency, John Dugan, and COO of Accion Texas, Gary Linder, presented a comprehensive program on the importance of micro-lending in helping create value and job growth.

ACCION Texas is the nation's largest 501(c) (3) non-profit loan fund. Their mission is to provide loans to small business owners who are unable to easily secure access to commercial credit. Through loans and other services, ACCION Texas helps micro entrepreneurs strengthen their businesses, stabilize and increase their incomes, create additional employment and contribute to the economic revitalization of their communities. ACCION Texas has provided $66.7 million in over 8,800 loans to over 5,900 clients. Almost 70% of ACCION Texas clients in the state are Hispanic.

“It was an honor for me to have been selected to speak at this event and I hope our experience is a shining example of how other small businesses can rapidly grow through programs like these,” said Mirza. “Micro-lending programs enable the smallest of businesses to get past the one-person stage where they are adding more employees as well as increased value to the community they serve.”

Accion’s Chief Operating Officer, Gary Lindner, has more than 30 years of highly successful leadership, management, and fundraising experience. Before joining ACCION Texas in 2004, he was a Senior Vice President for Southwest Business Corporation. He is an Air Force Academy graduate and a highly decorated combat veteran. He has extensive command and staff experience, and eventually retired with the rank of Colonel. Mr. Lindner earned a masters degree in political science from Auburn University and has served on numerous civic and non-profit boards.

MICRO-LENDING Event
“Claudia and Akorbi are shining examples of the impact micro-lending can have on job building and community expansion,” Linder said. “We were able to help accelerate their growth when traditional banks and lenders could not,” he explained. “Claudia came to America with education and an ambition to learn. We were the foundation that helped Akorbi grow into a thriving enterprise, add employees and create value in their community.”
John C. Dugan is the 29th U.S. Comptroller of the Currency, serving since 2005. The Comptroller of the Currency is the administrator of national banks and chief officer of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). The OCC supervises more than 1,500 federally chartered commercial banks and about 50 federal branches and agencies of foreign banks in the United States, comprising nearly two-thirds of the assets of the commercial banking system. The Comptroller is also a director of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and NeighborWorks® America.