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funding gap emerging markets
Cambodia

First Finance 11

  • First Finance
  • Invest in a Financial Institution
  • + 122 other investors
  • With this investment of EUR 45,000 local partner First Finance in Cambodia can (again) provide loans to support 10 families of garment workers to purchase land for their first home in RK area (Phnom Penh). **please note: this project contains an exchange rate risk EUR/USD)**

    €45,000
    Amount
    4.50%
    Interest
    24 months
    Maturity
    6 months
    Repayments
    USD
    Currency
    Amount€45,000
    Interest4.50%
    Maturity24 months
    Repayments6 months
    CurrencyUSD
      100%
      Fully funded in 8 hours on 21 June 2021.

      Summary

      PLEASE NOTE: this is a project where the EUR proceeds will eventually be transferred as USD to the issuing entity. The issuer’s obligation is to pay back the USD amount plus interest. Their repayments in USD will be converted to EUR, which will be put on your wallet. It means that you run an exchange rate risk on this project. The return may be higher or lower than expected in advance. At the moment the interest rate differential between USD and EUR is such that the interest rate on USD projects is, net of conversion costs, between 0.5-1%point higher. Read here for more information.

       

      About the issuer         

      General information

      • Borrower                                           First Finance Plc
      • Country                                             Cambodia
      • Head office                                       Phnom Penh, Cambodia
      • Website                                             https://www.firstfinance.biz/
      • Date of incorporation                       26th June 2008

      Project terms

      • Amount:                                            EUR 45,000
      • Maturity:                                           24 months, semi-annually                  
      • Interest rate:                                     4.5% p.a.
      • # of employees:                                123

       

      Documentation

      Information document of the issuer (NL)

      Information note of the issuer (BE)

      Summary

      First Finance (“FF”) is a Cambodia-based mortgage provider for low- and middle-income borrowers. FF operates under a non-deposit taking microfinance license from the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC). The company is owned by several national and international (impact) investors, among which Norfund and Insitor. Amongst its lenders are Oikocredit, Symbiotics, BlueOrchard and Triple Jump.

      First Finance’s mission is to build economic stability of low-income Cambodian families by increasing access to home ownership. The company positions itself as “housing solutions partner”, not only providing finance but also providing legal advice, construction planning, and home purchase decision-making services.

      First Finance focuses on low- and middle-income salaried employees or self-employed business owners. Its customers are predominantly employed as office or factory workers and civil servants.

      The company is active in 85 (out of 165) districts and in 17 provinces (out of 25), through 9 branches, mostly in urban areas. First Finance reaches its clients through referral programs, direct marketing campaigns, public workshops on financing a home, partnerships and online media. First Finance also manages a call-center to provide consultation on property issues to existing and new clients.

      The main products of the company are:

      -        (First) home loans (mortgages)

      -        Home improvement loans (loans for constucting a house on existsing land or to renovate an existing house)

      -        Residential Land loans (loans for the purcahse of land for residential purpsose)

      -        Home equity loans (loans for consumptive or productive use based on the value of an existing home)

      Use of Proceeds

      First Finance is expected to use the proceed raised to finance 10 families in and around Phnom Penh, to either purchase land for residential purpose (residential land product) and/or renovating their existing houses (home improvement loan product). 

      Mission

      The company’s mission is to build the economic stability of low-income Cambodian families by increasing access to home ownership through the provision of finance.

      Vision

      To help low-middle income families in Cambodia to live in dignity, security, happiness, and stability through home ownership.

      Impact

      First Finance expects to impact clients as below:

      • Members of 10 families (average household size of 4 members) can directly benefit from the project as they can now have access to better shelter.
      • Indirect impact includes community members (ie, contractor) can also benefits from the home renovation/improvement by the clients.
      • With better shelter, the children can also have stable access to education as they do not have to worry about their constant moving of their shelter.

      COVID-19 Update

      The Cambodian Government’s rapid response to the Covid-19 crisis has contributed to a relatively low exposure of its citizens to the virus. Cambodia has 273 confirmed cases and no deaths as of August 14. However, the Cambodian economy is hurt by the Government restrictions implemented. After two decades of strong performance, Cambodia’s economic growth is expected to drop to 2.3% in 2020. Cambodia’s economy is expected to rebound to 5.7% in 2021, assuming that the pandemic ends and economic activity normalizes. The sectors hardest hit are tourism, garment making, construction and transport.

      Naturally, First Finance’s business is also hurt by the economic downturn. Fortunately, the company’s exposure to the four industries which are impacted the most, is limited to approximately 18.2% of the total portfolio outstanding. The company has taken various measures to deal with the situation, including necessary health & safety measures for its staff. From a business point of view measures include less disbursements of new loans and a stricter acceptance policy for new customers. The company has also updated its 2020 budget with realistic assumptions for growth and portfolio quality.

      So far,

      • about 23% of First Finance customers have requested to restructure their loans and the company has agreed to restructuring for about 14% of the portfolio outstanding.
      • Portfolio at risk (30 days) has risen to 3.4% from 2.2% prior to the crisis
      • Liquidity is good given that collection rates are still above 95% and that prepayment have not completely dried up
      • As of early June First Finance transitions back to “business as usual” including working from the office again

      Additional information on COMPANY:

      Management team:

      Sothany Chun - Chief Executive Officer

      Sothany spent her last 14 years in financial sector, mainly targeitng low income people. Her experiences include Financial management, Markeitng, Communciation, Sale strategy and Operations. Sothany has a Bachelor’s Degree in Management - Accounting, and a Master’s in Organizational Development - MFI Management.

      Sakada Heng - Head of Credit

      Mr. Sakada Heng is the longest standing First Finance team member, starting as the Credit Admin Officer in 2009 Sakada progressed through a number of roles, to become head of Credit in 2019. Sakada has completed two Bachelor’s degrees, one in Accounting/Finance and one in French language. He completed a Master’s in Risk Management - Insurance, Finance and Banking.

      Bunhieng Chheng - Head of Sales

      Mr Bunhieng Chheng has full range of experiences in microfinance operations as he worked his way up to current role from the most junior role in the MFI during the last 15 years. He holds bachelor degree in Accounting and Finance.

      Voleak Veth - Head of Finance

      Ms. Voleak Veth has over nine years of experience in accounting and finance. Voleak has worked in accounting, insurance and the general business. She joined First Finance in 2012. Voleak has completed a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Banking, a Master’s in Business Administration and is currently pursuing her ACCA qualification.

      Vandy Saing - Head of Marketing

      Mr. Vandy Saing has over 13 year experiences in micro-finance institution including marketing communication, branding, and product development. He obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Management Information System from the National University of Management in 2002.

      Sineth Chrek - Head of IT

      Mr. Sineth Chrek has more than 11 years of experience in infrastructure design and implementation, IT security implementation, MIS administration, IT strategy and project implementation in the field of microfinance and banking. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology from a university in Phnom Penh.

      Namkea Hour - Head of Internal Audit

      Mr Namkea Hour has more than 10 years experiences in audit including internal audit in manufacturing company and financial institution and being an auditor of the audit firm. He is a Bachelor holder in Finance and Banking and is currently pursuing a professional qualification as Certified Internal Auditor at Institute of Internal Audit (IIA).

      Mengse Sean - Head of HR & Admin

      Mr. Mengse Sean has had a dynamic career, filled with professional advancement. His areas of expertise include Learning & Development and Human Resources management, including recruitment, HR policy development, personnel admin and compensation and benefits. He holds a master degree in Management.

      Highlights or Awards:      

      • In 2012, First Finance won an ASEAN Business Award in the category of Growth (for SMEs).
      • In 2017, FF was selected as semi-finalist for the European Microfinance Award. The theme of the award is Microfinance for housing.
      Company nameFirst Finance 11
      CEOSothany Chun
      Founded2008-01-01
      LocationPhnom Penh
      SectorServices
      Turnover$3,700,000
      Employees123
      Credit score2.96

      Impact

      75% of Cambodians can't afford to buy a house. In Cambodia, achieving homeownership is one of the keys to economic stability for low and middle-income families. First Finance provides long-term home improvement loans enabling underserved families to buy, build or improve homes they can be proud of. Furthermore, First Finance takes their assistance a step further as they educate people on safely buying and selling their property, as well as working hard to protect Cambodians from the downside risks involved in purchasing a property. Access to safe and affordable housing improves living standards, childhood health and development, and mental and physical health. It also leads to job creation, increased income, and environmental sustainability.

       

      SDG’s impacted

      With this project you are contributing to the following Sustainable Development Goals:

      SDG 1. No poverty

      SDG 11. Sustainable cities and communities

      Read more about the impact you can make through our platform and the SDGs on our impact page.

      • With this investment 5 jobs are created
      • With this investment 40 lives are improved

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      We have already contributed to First Finance 11

      Edwin Tofield
      Robert Roose
      Sebastian Schroer
      Piet van der Kooi
      André Becker
      + and another
      122
      investors