About us

The ASA model

The ASA Model is central to the Group’s success and lies at the heart of our business model. It is scalable, standardised in format and capable of being deployed at low-cost to the Group’s target client base of economically active low-income female micro-entrepreneurs who are over 15 years of age and earn broadly around U.S.$3.20 per day in each country in which the Group operates. Its key features are described below.

Distinguishing features

Group selection without joint liability	High touch client interaction through weekly collection¹
Loans granted exclusively for income generating activities	Ongoing assessment of client needs, benefits and satisfaction
Full repayment via instalments before eligible for new loan	Repeat loan cycles with set limits
No incentive or bonus payments for operating staff	Low ticket size

International roll-out of the ASA model has resulted in sustainable growth and returns

_{¹ Monthly collecting in Pakistan and bi-weekly in Myanmar for ASA International as per local market practice.}

Replicable and low-cost branch model

The branch is the centre of the Group’s ecosystem and underpins the scalability of ASA International’s business model. This decentralised model allows for cost efficiency, quick decision making and replicability.

Branch activity is strictly monitored by area and regional managers, with offsite supervision, fraud and misappropriation departments and regular internal audits.