July 2020 - COVID-19 Update:

Kiva has been in contact with Smart Credit to understand how we can best support their business and borrowers during the ever-evolving COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of all staff, borrowers and their families as this global pandemic continues.

While country-specific responses to the crisis vary, most governments have imposed curfews, travel restrictions, and nation-wide shutdowns. This has caused many economies and businesses to grind to a halt. 

As a result, Smart Credit has allowed some of its borrowers to temporarily postpone loan repayments due to the aforementioned restrictions or fallout effects of the virus. Because of this, it is possible that lenders will see a delay in repayments over the coming months. As an impact-first funder, Kiva is committed to serving our Field Partners as in past crises. We are sympathetic towards temporary increases in repayment delays and delinquency in order to help Field Partners and borrower communities recover. 

Kiva is working closely with Smart Credit to support them and their borrowers through the COVID-19 crisis. Smart Credit is sending regular updates to Kiva, and we'll update Partner Pages as we learn more. 

On behalf of Kiva and Smart Credit, we’re grateful for your continued support and understanding through this difficult time. 

Partner description:

Smart Credit is a small microfinance organization with headquarters in Ungheni City that serves the rural population in the Ungheni region of Moldova. They seek to provide affordable loans to these populations and also act as an insurance agent for health, auto and accident insurance.

Almost 17 percent of the population in Moldova lives below the national poverty line. Due to devaluation of the Moldovan Leu, local financing is increasingly expensive, so Kiva funding helps Smart Credit provide more affordable loans to rural populations.

A unique lending approach:

Smart Credit offers loans that encompasss a wide variety of industries and purposes including new businesses, consumer goods, agricultural resources and home improvement. These loans allow both growth in income-generating activities, as well as improvement to living conditions.