What Chamas and SACCOs can teach lenders about group lending
Group finance has a reach that many fintechs still underestimate. In Kenya, SACCOs that operate under regulation reported 6.84 million members in 2023, a number that shows how much formal group lending has grown. Beyond that, informal savings groups called chamas are even more widespread. Estimates suggest there are around 300,000 active chamas, each managing […]
A cultural view of loan defaults in Uganda
Uganda’s experience illustrates that solving the problem of defaults is not simply about adjusting loan terms or improving credit scoring. It requires an understanding of the cultural frameworks that guide how people borrow, how they prioritize repayments, and how they perceive the consequences of failing to meet their obligations.
Effective loan collection for lenders in Sierra Leone
Find out how to ensure loan repayments in Sierra Leone without turning every collection into a battle.
How manual underwriting still fits into an automated loan process
Across Africa, automation has changed how lenders think about credit. Mobile-first lending apps, USSD-based products, and fully digitized bank loans have brought speed and scale that would have been impossible through paper forms and long committee meetings. A borrower who once had to queue in a branch can now get money in minutes, thanks to […]
What is the Credit Card Act and why was it introduced?
In the years before 2009, credit cards had become one of the most common forms of consumer borrowing in the United States. By 2008, household credit card debt had climbed past $900 billion, according to Federal Reserve data, and card issuers were enjoying some of their most profitable years. The business model was clear: interest […]
Best loan app for iPhone users in South Africa
Finding the right loan app on an iPhone in South Africa is about speed, security, and fair pricing. The best apps combine smooth Apple integration with transparent lending, giving borrowers control and confidence.
A cultural view of loan defaults in Sierra Leone
Behind every unpaid loan is a story shaped by social ties, informal safety nets, and shifting expectations around debt. Understanding these nuances is key to building a lending system that balances risk with empathy.
How the bad debt expense formula helps lenders track risk
What starts as a basic calculation of bad debt becomes a useful tool to guide decisions across the lending cycle.
Breaking down the 3 R’s of credit and why they still matter
The 3 R’s come in. Returns, Repayment capacity, and Risk-bearing ability shift the focus from merely assessing trustworthiness to examining the business as an investment opportunity.
How to track and reduce your loan portfolio’s delinquency rate
The delinquency rate measures the share of loans in your portfolio that are past due. In simple terms, it’s the percentage of loans with missed payments (often defined as 30, 60 or 90 days late).
Can medical debt affect your credit even if you’ve paid it off?
The hardest part about medical bills is how little control you have over them. They can show up without warning, and once they go to collections, they stay with you.
