In many instances, we are the only help
Commercial and Development Banks require collateral or a steady income for micro/small business financing. SPBD is one of the only financial institutions able to deliver credit at scale in the regions we serve. Additionally, we focus on those who need it most—women living in both rural and peri-urban areas who are vulnerable to the consequences of poverty. These include the unemployed, single mothers, minorities, the unbanked, and the disabled.
Of the total number of loans distributed:
99%
Goes to Women
80%
Goes to Clients Living in Rural Areas
40%
Goes to Single Mothers
100%
Goes to the Unemployed
Our Solutions
Micro-enterprise Development
SPBD provides small, unsecured loans (microloans) of around US$400 to groups of rural women, who invest these loans into businesses based on their existing livelihood skills. They are given training, ongoing guidance, and motivation for the purpose of helping them to grow these small income generating endeavors so that they can work their way out of poverty. This is a structured program with clear rules.
Childhood Education
From the second loan onwards, members are encouraged to invest the proceeds of their loans for basic housing improvement and childhood education. SPBD helps to ensure the children of all our members receive a proper education by providing financing to pay for school fees, school uniforms, and textbooks.
Housing Improvements
SPBD helps to improve the health and resilience of our members’ homes by providing financing for basic housing improvements such as obtaining access to electricity, running piped water, proper sanitation, building a secure foundation for their home (instead of a dirt floor) and installing a tin roof on their home (instead of a grass roof).
Savings
It is expensive and difficult for the poor to open bank accounts at traditional commercial banks. SPBD helps our members save for a rainy day and develop good financial habits by providing a basic savings service. By saving with SPBD, members have a safe and convenient place to make small and regular savings deposits.
Death Benefits and Loan Insurance
All members receive a death benefit and a loan insurance product. In the event of a member’s death, her family receives a benefit. This assurance of no hardship on the remaining family is something that many of our members value.
Community support
SPBD members are part of a self-chosen group of 4-7 women who come together with other groups to form a larger SPBD village center. The members of the centre support each other. They are the first line of approval on all new business plans and loan applications of their group members. They act as weekly guarantors on all loan repayments, and they play a vital role in the ongoing guidance and motivation of each SPBD micro-entrepreneur.
In addition, members benefit from weekly meetings where all business training modules, review of business plans, loan applications and approvals, weekly loan repayments, savings deposits, and ongoing business mentoring and coaching occurs.
Products
1. Credit Products
Micro-enterprise Loan
Housing Improvement Credit
Small-Medium Enterprise (SME) Loan
White Goods Loan
Higher Education Loan
Overseas Worker Loan
Solar Lighting Loan
2. Savings Accounts
3. Death Benefits
Member Death Benefit
Spouse Death Benefit
Member-Death Loan Coverage
4. Digital Financial Services (Fiji)
5. Money Transfer (Samoa, Tonga)
6. Distribution Products
7. Financial Education
8. Business Skills Training
Help us build their better future
Talk to us today about ways you can provide funding, get involved, or share their stories with the world.