The Author: Ilonka Rühle, born in 1960, studied economics at the University of Frankfurt. After receiving her Ph.D. she became a staff member of the Internationale Projekt Consult (IPC) GmbH. Ms. Rühle played a key role in the establishment of the Russia Small Business Fund, a financial institution building project which IPC is implementing on behalf of the EBRD. She currently serves primarily as a bank adviser in Russia and Eastern Europe, where she has overall responsibility for training loan officers and project personnel.