
Fundación Salvadoreña de Apoyo Integral (FUSAI)
What to know about this Lending Partner
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Partner description:
Fundación Salvadoreña de Apoyo Integral (FUSAI), founded in 1993, is a non-profit foundation focused on serving base of the pyramid business owners. They do this in 3 ways:
- Grant-based program administration. This work is focused on areas such as business education and digital inclusion.
- Microfinance sector advocacy work. For example, they work with the banking regulator to establish rules for the microfinance industry.
- Lending Program. Known as the Programa Solidario Comunitario (PSC), this program provides loans to small business owners.
A unique lending approach:
FUSAI is able to work in areas inaccessible to other financial service providers. In these inaccessible areas, or "conflict zones", organized crime is active and extorts the communities. FUSAI uses a Community Volunteer program to gain the trust of a community and build a presence in that community. Community leaders are recruited, vetted, trained, and then presented to the community during a graduation ceremony. These leaders promote FUSAI's loan products and pre-qualify loan applicants. Final loan approval rests with FUSAI.