Cambodia: Financial Intermediaries-04

Date Filed
10 Feb 2022
Status
Open
Phase
Compliance
Country
Cambodia

Case Tracker

Eligibility
Eligibility
Assessment
Assessment
Dispute Resolution
Compliance
Appraisal
Status as of November 11, 2022
CURRENT Status
Appraisal (COMPLIANCE)
Status as of November 11, 2022

Complaint Overview

Complainant

Confidential

Concerns

Predatory lending practices, loss of land, loss of livelihood, food insecurity, threats to health, child labor

Cross-Cutting Issues
Indigenous Peoples Loss of Livelihoods

Project Information

Region
East Asia & the Pacific
Institution
IFC
Company
ACLEDA, Amret, Prasac, LOLC, Sathapana Bank, Hattha Bank
Sector
Financial Markets

Synopsis

Project Overview

In February 2022, CAO received a complaint regarding the practices of six banks or microfinance institutions in Cambodia (ACLEDA, Amret, Prasac, Hattha Bank, LOLC and Sathapana) and four financial intermediaries that invest in those banks or MFIs (Microfinance Enhancement Facility (MEF), Microfinance Initiative for Asia Debt Fund (MIFA), Advans S.A. and North Haven Thai Private Equity Fund L.P.). These banks are linked to 18 active IFC projects supporting lending programs for micro, small and medium enterprises.

Complaint

Two NGOs filed the complaint—the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO) and Equitable Cambodia (EC)—on behalf of the complainants in Cambodia. The complainants, who indicate that they have acquired loans from one or more of the six institutions mentioned above, allege that they have been harmed by predatory and deceptive lending practices, including threatening collection actions, purportedly committed by these institutions. Concerns raised in the complaint include loss of land, loss of livelihood, food insecurity and additional threats to health, and child labor.

CAO Action

In April 2022, CAO found the complaint eligible and initiated its assessment process. In line with CAO policy, the assessment period was extended until September 27, 2022, due to the fact that some parties involved expressed mutual interest in a CAO-facilitated dispute resolution process. However, a consensus was ultimately not reached, and CAO will proceed to a compliance appraisal to determine whether the complaint merits an investigation of the issues raised by the complainants.

The assessment report is available in English under the “Case Documents” section below this page.

Status

In November 2022, CAO completed its assessment. Due the lack of consensus about engaging in a dispute resolution process, the complaint is now under a Compliance appraisal.

Status as of November 11, 2022.

Case Documents

  • Complaint & Assessment

    Complaint
    CAO Complaint - Cambodia: Financial Intermediaries-04
    Feb 04, 2023
    English
    CAO Complaint - Cambodia: Financial Intermediaries-04
    Assessment Report
    CAO Assessment Report - Cambodia: Financial Intermediaries-04
    Nov 11, 2022
    English
    CAO Assessment Report - Cambodia: Financial Intermediaries-04
    CAO Assessment Report - Cambodia: Financial Intermediaries-04
    Nov 11, 2022
    Khmer
    CAO Assessment Report - Cambodia: Financial Intermediaries-04
  • Mailchimp Survey

     

    We Value Your Feedback

    Thank you for visiting CAO’s new website. Help us improve your experience by taking our short survey.

    Give Feedback No thanks