Introduction to ASA
ASA was established as an NGO in 1978 and started microcredit since 1991. The most popular service provider dedicated to poverty alleviation.
ASA is working in 64 districts through 3,303 branches covering more than 7 million poor households with 25,719 regular staff.

Vision
ASA seeks to promote social and economic development of the country and has made a significant improvement for the well being of the poor.

Mission
Our institutional mission is to support and strengthen the low income sector of the economy by facilitating, dispersing and expanding savings, credit and insurance to those who lack access.

Objectives

• To serve larger numbers of poor.
• To maintain institutional self sufficiency.
• To alleviate poverty and improve the quality of life of poor people by offering microfinance services.

ASA’s Innovation in Microcredit

• Flexibility of group formation/No bindings on group guarantee
• Simplicity and transparent system
• Exponential growth
• Low-costs management
• Standardization
• Delegation of authority in the field level
• Flexible loan products
• Allow clients to withdraw savings
• Insurance
• Social service from loan income
• Innovative staff recruitment and on-the-job (each one-teach one) training
• Simple and shorter loan processing, less waiting time for the borrower
• Written manual
• Strong monitoring and supervision
• Standard and low cost structure on furniture, fixture   and overall management costs
• Donors free sustainable growth, high ROA and ROE

International Recognition and Awards

• 2008 “Banking at the Bottom of the Pyramid” Award by Financial Times and International Finance Corporation (IFC) UK
• Selected as the best MFI worldwide by Forbes (Dec 2007)
• “The Ford Motor Model of Microfinance” Asian Development Bank
• Best International Technical Service Provider for UNDP MicroStart Program in the Philippines and Nigeria
• Placed in all the six categories with exceptional best result: MIX Report 2005
• Empowerment of Women Award

ASA branches reach in break-even very shortly
Example of one branch income and expenditure (Calculation made in TAKA)
Details calculation on loan disbursement, collection, income and expenditure

Implementation Strategies

• Experienced staffs of ASA are deputed to the operating countries to train local staff and design policies and procedures. They also take part as well as supervise day to day activities of the respective organization.
• Local staffs are generally promoted to senior posts so that they can run the program independently.
• At present 66 ASA staffs are working in different operating countries to implement the ASA Microfinance Model considering local practices of the respective country.
• ASAI has introduced automation in all the operating countries. The whole program will be supported by specialized software made by ASA.
• Operational Headquarters, based in Bangladesh, provides full operational support.
• Europe Office, based in the Netherlands, provides funding and legal support.
• Product and methodology have been designed according to respective countries' circumstances and culture.
• More than 95% staffs are locally recruited.