MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Base of the Pyramid Asia (BOPA) of Singapore Invests $1m in Convertible Debt into Cambodian Microfinance Institution (MFI) Chamroeun

Base of the Pyramid Asia (BOPA), a Singapore-based equity investor in small Asian microfinance institutions (MFIs), recently reported to MicroCapital that it has disbursed USD 1 million in subordinated, convertible debt to Cambodian MFI Chamroeun Microfinance Limited.This type of deal has features of both equity and debt transactions.

Chamroeun provides savings, loans and microinsurance to low-income people in urban areas. As of December 2014, the MFI reported to the US-based nonprofit data provider Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) total assets of USD 9.83 million, a gross loan portfolio of USD 7.46 million disbursed to approximately 46,000 borrowers and total deposits of USD 552,000 from approximately 66,400 depositors. Founded in 2013, BOPA holds stakes in MFIs in Cambodia, East Timor, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar and Vietnam.

By Charlotte Newman, Research Associate

About Chamroeun: Chamroeun Microfinance is a microfinance institution (MFI) that was established in Cambodia in 1995 and provides savings, loans and microinsurance to low-income people in urban areas. The MFI also engages micro- and small entrepreneurs in skills training. As of December 2014, Chamroeun reported to the US-based nonprofit data provider Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) total assets of USD 9.83 million, a gross loan portfolio of USD 7.46 million disbursed to approximately 46,000 borrowers and total deposits of USD 552,000 from approximately 66,400 depositors. It also reported return on assets (ROA) of -1.25 percent and return on equity (ROE) of -5.93 percent for the same period.

Sources and Additional Resources:

[1] BOPA Press Release provided directly to MicroCapital.

MicroCapital Universe Profile: Chamroeun

Do you know that MicroCapital publishes the MicroCapital Monitor newsletter each month? Find out more at https://www.microcapital.org/products-page/

Similar Posts: