Cambodia: MEF-06

Date Filed
25 Jun 2024
Status
Open
Phase
Dispute Resolution (DR)
Country
Cambodia

Case Tracker

Eligibility
Eligibility
Assessment
October 29, 2024-March 20, 2025
Assessment
Dispute Resolution
Dispute Resolution
March 24, 2025-August 04, 2025
Monitoring
Status as of August 05, 2025
Compliance
CURRENT Status
Monitoring (DISPUTE RESOLUTION)
Status as of August 05, 2025

Complaint Overview

Complainant

Confidential

Concerns

Predatory lending practices

Cross-Cutting Issues
Children Coercion Loss of Livelihoods Violence / Abuse

Project Information

Region
East Asia & the Pacific
Institution
IFC
Name & Number
IFC Project Number: 27827
Company
KB Prasac Bank Plc
Sector
Financial Institutions
Department
Finance and Markets
Category
FI
Commitment

US$150m

Synopsis

Project Overview

IFC, in collaboration with the German development bank Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) and the Development Bank of Austria (OeEB), created a global Microfinance Enhancement Facility (MEF) in 2009 to support microfinance institutions worldwide that may face funding shortfalls during periods of unprecedented financial stress. At the time of investment, IFC aimed to support over 100 microfinance institutions operating in more than 30 countries, including over 20 IDA countries. 

Complaint

In July 2024, CAO received a complaint concerning KB PRASAC Bank Plc (PRASAC), an MEF client. The complainant raised concerns about the harmful effects on their livelihood and well-being linked to the lending and debt collection practices of PRASAC. The complainant also alleged that their family experienced negative impacts on their livelihood, including the loss of income-generating property and an increased debt burden as they had to take out additional informal loans to meet their repayment obligations to PRASAC. Finally, the complainants raised that they faced threats and reprisals. 

Action

In October 2024, CAO found the complaint eligible and initiated an assessment. During this process, the parties reached a partial agreement, which was documented in the CAO Assessment Report released in March 2025. The Assessment Report is available in English and Khmer.

In August 2025, the remaining issues were resolved in a second joint session, during which the parties reached a full agreement. Implementation began on August 5, 2025. The details of the agreement remain confidential. CAO will monitor its implementation for 24 months, through August 2027, with the possibility of an extension. 

Status

The case is in dispute resolution monitoring. 

Status as of September 12, 2025

Case Documents

  • Complaint
    Letter of Complaint
    Jul 11, 2024
    English
    Letter of Complaint
    Assessment Report
    Assessment Report
    Mar 22, 2025
    English
    Assessment Report
    Assessment Report
    Mar 22, 2025
    Khmer
    Assessment Report
  • Dispute Resolution

    Joint Statement
    Joint Statement
    Aug 05, 2025
    English
    Joint Statement
    Joint Statement
    Aug 05, 2025
    Khmer
    Joint Statement
  • Close Modal

    Join Our Mailing List

    Get CAO’s newsletter, latest publications, event updates, and more.