Kiva conducts regular, ongoing monitoring of all Lending Partners, but only posts status updates here in response to relevant, major changes at the partner.

Update on 21 August 2023:

Kiva and ASI have agreed to end their partnership after more than $200,000 in loans raised. This partner has repaid its outstanding balance to Kiva in full, and these funds have been distributed to lenders. We thank ASI for the years of collaboration and wish them success in their future endeavors.

Status Update - April 30, 2015

Kiva has moved this Lending Partner to inactive status. This means ASI is no longer fundraising loans on Kiva, though Kiva fully expects the partner to continue to send repayments owed to Kiva lenders for as long as the partner has an outstanding balance. 

ASI has not had the need to post loans on Kiva as it has access to other funding sources. If and when this partner requests to fundraise loans on Kiva again, we will first conduct any additional monitoring and due diligence tasks we believe necessary.

Status Update - May 3, 2013

ASI Federal Credit Union has been experiencing an increased rate of defaults. This is possibly related to the experimental nature of the loan products the organization provides. In order to serve asset-poor communities in New Orleans -- including many still recovering from Hurricane Katrina and the BP Oil Spill -- ASI offers loan products designed to help people start and grow businesses even if they don't have extensive collateral, credit histories, or business experience. For these reasons, these loans also carry a higher level of risk than typical loans on Kiva.

In cases of default, ASI is making every effort to recover funds from the borrowers in question. However, in some instances, the organization has been unable to locate or contact clients in default. We will continue to update this page as we learn more. 

The Organization:

ASI Federal Credit Union is a community development lender founded in 1961 to create financial opportunity for citizens of the Greater New Orleans Area. ASI helps promote economic empowerment for all members, with special emphasis on creating opportunity for low-wealth, women and minority borrowers. ASI has provided over one billion dollars in loans since inception and assisted over 100,000 low-wealth and otherwise disadvantaged borrowers with loans for education, transportation, homeownership and microenterprise. To support innovation and growth, ASI relies on the support of social investors who choose to bank at ASI and members drawn to the double-bottom line mission of the credit union. 

ASI is known nationwide for its advocacy of the underserved and in particular for its innovative products and services, including several low-cost alternatives to predatory payday lending. ASI’s nonprofit affiliate, A Shared Initiative, Inc. supports the credit union through the provision of financial education and lending support for non-traditional borrowers. We invite applicants drawn to ethical lending and a culture of financial innovation to read about our microentrepreneurs. 

The Need for MicroLoans in the U.S.

More than 99% of businesses with payrolls in this country are small businesses, according to the Small Business Administration, and those small businesses historically employ more than half of all workers, creating an estimated 80% of new jobs in the U.S. Small business owners play a large role in an improved economy, more wealth creation for the middle class, lower unemployment, and innovation and growth across all industry sectors. Micro-enterprise is one of the few ways that many U.S. families raise themselves out of poverty to create prosperity for their families. Insufficient access to affordable lending capital represents one of the largest obstacles to small business success in our nation. When you support a Kiva New Orleans borrower, you are supporting the sustainability and growth of many families and businesses who will be positively impacted through an economic multiplier effect.  

Loan Products and Services

In addition to Kiva New Orleans micro-loans, ASI offers checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, mortgage products, auto loans, SBA and other business loans, personal loans, Visa Cards, tuition loans and many other lending products. Our nonprofit affiliate offers financial education including credit counseling, first time homebuyer education, and foreclosure prevention assistance. We encourage you to visit our website to learn more about ASI: www.asifcu.org.