MFIs encouraged to take deposits
National Bank of Cambodia Deputy Boss All-function Kim Vanda called on microfinance institutions (MFIs) to take advantage of government rules allowing them to take deposits from customers at a two-day workshop that finished Friday aimed at strengthening the domestic micro-credit sector.
He said deposits would reduce reliance on foreign lenders, which he said drives up interest rates. Just two of the 20 domestic MFIs are accredited to take deposits, he said.
Sector representatives also vowed to push ahead with a credit chest of drawers to footstep loans and prevent borrowers from compelling out multiple loans from different lenders.
(The first article is from The Phnom Penh Post)
December 13th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
very excellent
November 2nd, 2010 at 10:54 am
Kingdom’s largest MFI to accept deposits
THE Kingdom’s largest micro-lender, Prasac, will launch deposit-compelling services from early next year, representing another step toward its aim of becoming a commercial bank surrounded by five years.
The microfinance institution had received a deposit-compelling licence for its head office from the National Bank of Cambodia, company officials reported yesterday.
Prasac is currently preparing to launch new services by training employees and applying for processing permits for its network of branches, which are probable to be granted next quarter.
The full deposit-compelling scheme will be ready for launch in early 2011, Prasac All-function Manager Sim Senacheert said yesterday.
He said that the new service would enable the company to diversify products to meet client demand.
“More importantly, it would diversify our funding sources. If we could mobilise more savings we will no longer dependent on the overseas borrowings,” he said.
“Savings are a low-cost and sustainable source of assets. Therefore, our funding costs will be lower and as a result we can reduce our lending rates as well.”
Prasac intends to offer the public interest rates of around 9.5 percent and 6.5 percent for one-year deposits in riels and US dollars respectively. Six-month saving deposits would be offered at 7.5 percent and 5 percent respectively.
“The interest rates on deposits we would offer are higher than those offer by commercial banks, but are lower than the rates at which we borrow from our foreign creditors, which charge around 8.2 percent per annum.”
As of end of August, Prasac’s outstanding loan portfolio was US$81 million, lent to 100,344 clients.
Cambodia has 22 MFIs. Prasac is the fifth micro-lender to receive a licence for deposit compelling, after Amret, Sathapana, AMK and Hattha Kaksekar Limited.
To obtain a licence an MFI must prove that it has carried out operations for more than three years, is in excellent financial condition, has capital of at least 10,000 million riels ($2.4 millon), operates an effective management system, uses NBC charts of accounts, and has sustainable profitability.
Source: http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2010092442256/Business/kingdoms-largest-mfi-to-accept-deposits.html