Kiva Help

Field Partner Listings

1. Field Partner
2. Country
3. Field Partner Risk Rating
4. Evidence Supporting Repayment Likelihood
5. Time On Kiva
6. Total Loans
7. Default Rate
8. Amount of Paying Back Loans Delinquent
9. Amount of Paying Back Loans
10. Amount of Ended Loans Defaulted
11. Amount of Ended Loans
12. Fundraising Status

1. Field Partner:
   Kiva partners with microfinance institutions around the world. In doing so, Kiva gains access to outstanding and deserving
   entrepreneurs from impoverished communities.
   Our Field Partners are responsible for screening each entrepreneur and administering your loan.
   
2. Country:
   Name of country where featured Microfinance Institution (see Field Partner) is located.
   
3. Field Partner Risk Rating:
   
   A Field Partner Risk Rating is a 1 to 5 star rating assigned to each Field Partner by Kiva's staff, with five stars indicating lower risk and one star indicating higher risk .
   It is based on evidence supporting a Field Partner's repayment likelihood and is
   intended to provide more insight for those who are sensitive to repayment risk.
   
   A 5-Star Field Partner is a highly established micro-lending institution with a proven track record,
   audited financials and high ratings from independent evaluators.
   In contrast, a 1-Star Field Partner is usually young and unproven --
   but with the potential to reach entrepreneurs not reached by more established Field Partners.
   Like eBay and other online marketplaces, Kiva hopes that this online lending platform will let
   unproven, riskier Field Partners build a great reputation through long term performance.
   In the process, they should be able to raise capital from other sources beyond Kiva
   to serve more of the poor in their area.
   You should lend via a Field Partner based on your tolerance for repayment risk. A Closed partner indicates that Kiva no longer works with the partner.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   Indicators supporting Field Partner's Repayment Reliability	Corresponding Risk Rating
   Very Significant (Lower Risk)
   Significant (Low Risk)
   Moderate (Moderate Risk)
   Limited (High Risk)
   Very Limited (Higher Risk)

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   "1-Star" Risk Rating
   
   A Field Partner Risk Rating is a 1 to 5 star rating assigned to each Field Partner by Kiva's staff, with five stars indicating lower risk and one star indicating higher risk .
   It is based on evidence supporting a Field Partner's repayment likelihood and is
   intended to provide more insight for those who are sensitive to repayment risk.
   
   A "1-Star" rating means that this Field Partner has a very limited amount of evidence demonstrating high likelihood of repayment.
   This "1-Star" rating is often a result of the Field Partner being a
   very young organization or the lack of immediately available, low cost
   of third-party verification options. Kiva enables "1-Star" partners
   to slowly build a verifiable performance track record online by
   allowing a very limited number of loan requests to be posted and
   funded. As a track record for effective loan management is
   established, the Field Partner's risk rating will improve. We
   recommend lending via a "1-Star" Field Partner if there is a unique
   connection to the entrepreneur and a very high tolerance for
   repayment uncertainty. If you prefer more outcome
   certainty, we recommend selecting an entrepreneur posted by a 3,
   4 or 5 star rated Field Partner.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   Indicators supporting Field Partner's Repayment Reliability	Corresponding Risk Rating
   Very Significant (Lower Risk)
   Significant (Low Risk)
   Moderate (Moderate Risk)
   Limited (High Risk)
   Very Limited (Higher Risk)

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   "2-Star" Risk Rating
   
   A Field Partner Risk Rating is a 1 to 5 star rating assigned to each Field Partner by Kiva's staff, with five stars indicating lower risk and one star indicating higher risk .
   It is based on evidence supporting a Field Partner's repayment likelihood and is
   intended to provide more insight for those who are sensitive to repayment risk.
   
   A "2-Star" rating means that this Field Partner has a limited amount of evidence demonstrating high likelihood of repayment.
   This "2-Star" rating is often a result of the Field
   Partner being a very young organization or the lack of immediately available, low cost of third-party
   verification options. Kiva enables "2-Star" partners to slowly build a verifiable performance track
   record online by allowing a limited number of loan requests to be posted and funded. As a track record for
   effective loan management is established, the Field Partner's risk rating will improve. We recommend lending
   via a "2-Star" Field Partner if there is a unique connection to the entrepreneur and a high tolerance for
   repayment uncertainty. If you prefer more outcome certainty, we recommend selecting an
   entrepreneur posted by a
   3, 4 or 5 star rated Field Partner.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   Indicators supporting Field Partner's Repayment Reliability	Corresponding Risk Rating
   Very Significant (Lower Risk)
   Significant (Low Risk)
   Moderate (Moderate Risk)
   Limited (High Risk)
   Very Limited (Higher Risk)

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   "3-Star" Risk Rating
   
   A Field Partner Risk Rating is a 1 to 5 star rating assigned to each Field Partner by Kiva's staff, with five stars indicating lower risk and one star indicating higher risk .
   It is based on evidence supporting a Field Partner's repayment likelihood and is
   intended to provide more insight for those who are sensitive to repayment risk.
   
   A "3-Star" rating means that this Field Partner has a moderate amount of evidence demonstrating high likelihood of repayment.
   It is not as firmly established as 4 or 5 star partners, but the organization has passed basic verification and shows promise if given a chance to build a track record over time. We recommend lending via a "3-Star" Field Partner if there is a unique connection to the entrepreneur and moderate tolerance for repayment uncertainty.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   Indicators supporting Field Partner's Repayment Reliability	Corresponding Risk Rating
   Very Significant (Lower Risk)
   Significant (Low Risk)
   Moderate (Moderate Risk)
   Limited (High Risk)
   Very Limited (Higher Risk)

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   "4-Star" Risk Rating
   
   A Field Partner Risk Rating is a 1 to 5 star rating assigned to each Field Partner by Kiva's staff, with five stars indicating lower risk and one star indicating higher risk .
   It is based on evidence supporting a Field Partner's repayment likelihood and is
   intended to provide more insight for those who are sensitive to repayment risk.
   
   A "4-Star" rating means that this Field Partner has a significant amount of evidence demonstrating high likelihood of repayment.
   Kiva has confidence in the Field Partner's ability to dutifully administer and collect your loan. Kiva will continue to monitor this Field Partner to adjust this rating over time. We recommend lending via a "4-Star" Field Partner if there is a unique connection to the entrepreneur and low tolerance for repayment uncertainty.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   Indicators supporting Field Partner's Repayment Reliability	Corresponding Risk Rating
   Very Significant (Lower Risk)
   Significant (Low Risk)
   Moderate (Moderate Risk)
   Limited (High Risk)
   Very Limited (Higher Risk)

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   "5-Star" Risk Rating
   
   A Field Partner Risk Rating is a 1 to 5 star rating assigned to each Field Partner by Kiva's staff, with five stars indicating lower risk and one star indicating higher risk .
   It is based on evidence supporting a Field Partner's repayment likelihood and is
   intended to provide more insight for those who are sensitive to repayment risk.
   
   A "5-Star" rating means that this Field Partner has a very significant amount of evidence demonstrating high likelihood of repayment.
   Kiva has full confidence in the Field Partner's ability to dutifully administer and collect your loan. Kiva will continue to monitor this Field Partner to adjust this rating over time. We recommend lending via a "5-Star" Field Partner if there is a unique connection to the entrepreneur and very low tolerance for repayment uncertainty.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   Indicators supporting Field Partner's Repayment Reliability	Corresponding Risk Rating
   Very Significant (Lower Risk)
   Significant (Low Risk)
   Moderate (Moderate Risk)
   Limited (High Risk)
   Very Limited (Higher Risk)

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Evidence Supporting Repayment Likelihood:
   Kiva determines each Field Partner's Risk Rating based on:
   
   
   
   Factors (Outside of Kiva) Affecting Risk Rating:
   
   

   
   
   1. Recent Financial Audits, Credit Ratings and Independent Evaluations
   
   
   2. Most Reputable Outside Funder and Network Affiliations
   
   
   3. Existing Loan Portfolio Size and Risk
   
   
   4. Organizational Age and Sustainability
   
   

   
   
   Factors (Driven by Kiva) Affecting Risk Rating:
   
   

   
   
   1. Kiva Data Verification Audits:
      Kiva commissions certified local audit firms to randomly check several entrepreneurs listed on the Kiva website to ensure data accuracy (e.g. that the funds really reached the entrepreneur).
      
      
   
   
   2. 
      Journaling Rate:
      For each loan, Kiva requires at least one journal update, before or at the end of the loan term, about the impact of the loan on the entrepreneur's life.
      
   
   
   3. Kiva Repayment Performance Over Time:
      Like other online marketplaces (e.g. eBay), Kiva incorporates the long term repayment performance of each Field Partner into their Risk Rating allowing less reputable Field Partners to build their reputation online.
      
   4. 
      Bank Statement Reviews:
      For select Field Partners with lower Risk Rating, Kiva monitors the Bank Statement in order to verify the flow of funds and note any major discrepancies.
      

   
   
5. Time On Kiva:
   Number of months since the Field Partner first posted a loan on Kiva.org.
   
6. Total Loans:
   Total loans indicate the total amount of loans this organization has raised through the Kiva website. This excludes refunded loans.
   
7. Default Rate:
   Percentage of Ended Loans (no longer paying back) which have failed to repay (measured in dollar volume, not units).
   

   
   How this is calculated:
   
   
   Amount of Ended Loans Defaulted / Amount of Ended Loans
   

   
   Notes:
   
   

   
   
   • Many Field Partners do not yet have many Ended Loans due to their short history on Kiva (see "Time on Kiva"). A more meaningful indicator of principal risk is "Delinquency Rate".
   
   
   • For loans that are delinquent at the end of a loan term, Kiva allows the Field Partner 6 additional months to attempt collections before deeming the loan as Defaulted.
   
   

   
   
8. Amount of Paying Back Loans Delinquent:
   Current principal balance of all Paying Back Loans with one or more repayments past due.
   
   
   How this is calculated:
   
   

   
   
   • Once a loan becomes Paying Back, repayments are expected according to a monthly schedule established by the field partner at the time of loan posting.
   
   
   • The first monthly installment is due on a date established by the partner.
   
   
   • The partner has between one to two months after collecting from the entrepreneur to send Kiva the repayments.
   
   
   • When Kiva receives the repayments, they mark the payment as received and return that money to the lenders.
   
   
   • If an installment has not been fully repaid and is past due, the remaining principal balance is considered late
   
   

   
   
   Example with a $1000 loan paid evenly over a 10 month loan term, that becomes Paying Back on January 1 and has its first repayment on January 30:
   
   

   
   
   • The monthly installment due = $100 ($1000 loan amount / 10 month term).
   
   
   • The first monthly installment is due to the partner on January 30. Kiva invoices the partner for the payment on February 15 and expects to receive this payment by March 1.
   
   
   • On March 2, assume that only $50 of the expected $100 installment is repaid.
   
   
   • On March 2, the "Amount of Paying Back Loans Late" = $950 (the remaining principal balance).
   
   
   • On March 3, assume that the other $50 is repaid and the January installment due is repaid in full.
   
   
   • On March 4, the "Amount of Paying Back Loans Late" = $0
   
   

   
   
9. Amount of Paying Back Loans:
   Total amount of loans raised and disbursed which are in the process of being paid back by an entrepreneur.
   
10. Amount of Ended Loans Defaulted:
    Remaining balance due on ended loans which are not repaid in full.
    
11. Amount of Ended Loans:
    Total amount of loans raised and disbursed which are no longer in the process of being paid back by an entrepreneur. This excludes refunded loans.
    
12. Fundraising Status:
    Kiva adjusts the Fundraising Status of each Field Partner based on time on system and performance. Combined with the Field Partner Risk Rating, the Fundraising Status determines the number of loans a Field Partner can post in a given month. Kiva Field Partners can be
    
    
    

    
    
    • 
      Pilot: Partners who just started working with us (they are allowed to raise funds on a limited basis -- they are changed to Active status after Kiva conducts a "pilot consultation")
      
    
    
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      Active: Partners who have gone through a pilot consultation and are currently raising funds on Kiva
      
    
    
    • 
      Paused: The partner is temporarily unable to raise funds on Kiva due to either partner or Kiva request (if per Kiva request, paused status is triggered by exceeding the acceptable Total Fundraising Ratio on Kiva, or violation of policies)
      
    
    
    • 
      Closed: Kiva no longer works with the partner