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

Partner description:
South Pacific Business Development Vanuatu is part of the South Pacific Business Development network of microfinance institutions.

The network aims to improve the quality of life of families living in poverty by providing unsecured credit, training and ongoing motivation and guidance. Clients work with SPBD to start, grow and maintain micro-businesses, build assets, as well as finance home improvements and childhood education.

A unique lending approach:
SPBD Vanuatu started in 2017 so it is still a young and developing organization. To date, its operations have been focused on the main island of Efate but with Kiva's help, SPBD can expand to serve other island provinces in a largely underserved microfinance market.

SPBD uses a group lending strategy to provide working capital to women and help them develop small businesses. The organization also offers loans to women to pay for home improvements and children’s school expenses. In addition to loans, SPBD offers other services including voluntary savings plans and financial literacy training.