Willy Foot, the CEO of Root Capital and a 2005 Skoll social entrepreneur, just sent around a message outlining some of Root’s high level numbers for 2008.  At a time when the traditional financial sector was essentially in free fall, Root Capital was growing its business.  Some of the highlights in Willy’s communication are listed here.  Root Capital grew:

- direct lending by 49% (from $27.6 million to $41.2 million), while maintaining a 99% repayment rate on loans and 100% re-payment rate to investors.

- the number of grassroots businesses invested in from 106 to 149.

- the number of farmers and artisans supported from 140,000 to 255,000.

- its financial education and training program by nearly 50% to serve 55 businesses.

The Root model, like so many social entrepreneurial undertakings, attacks problems at their core. I’ve heard Willy talk about Root’s committment to the success of its clients.  It has a high-touch model, it provides value beyond just finance, and it works to ensure that the local financial systems can support local entrepreneurs once Root funding ends.  It’s a good, sound - even traditional -  financial approach…one that helps produce decent growth numbers in a very tough environment.