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Microfinance Effort Matches Tiny Lenders with Kids Who Yearn for College Worldwide

Although microfinancing usually raises funds for small businesses, the Seattle-based non-profit Vittana has been helping students around the world graduate from post-secondary schools by asking donors to pay for their tuition. Like the business loans, money for education can immediately steer a family out of poverty. And, so far, the Vittana record has been stellar.

Trending: 5 Signs That Optimism is the New Black in Business

We can see it every week in the business pages of newspapers and magazines. From manufacturing, to private sector service industries, from venture capital investors, and businesses from Asia to Brazil to Europe: Optimism is the new black. Here are a few signs that hope is brewing throughout most of the global economy.

US Home Sales at 11-month High

U.S. home sales hit an 11-month high in December and the number of properties on the market was the fewest in nearly seven years, pointing to a nascent recovery in the housing sector. The National Association of Realtors said on Friday existing home sales increased 5 percent, marking the third straight monthly increase, with all four of the nation's regions recording gains.

Whole Foods' Micro-Loans Help 1.3 Million People

Mission statements seldom come simpler than the one guiding the Whole Planet Foundation, which aims to alleviate poverty through microcredit — small loans extended to poor people — in communities that supply Whole Foods stores with products. Since 2005, the Foundation has witnessed a payback rate of 97 percent on the staggering $32 million committed to nearly a quarter million microcredit clients in 54 countries globally.

Banks Start to Make More Loans

Guess what's been happening in the financial industry over the last few months? The banks have quietly turned on the lending spigot. After several quarters of having their loan balances plunge or flatten out, several of the nation's biggest banks are reporting increases of 8%.