Fresh round of MFI license cancellations by NBC

The National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) has rejected two license applications and revoked the licenses of 24 microfinance institutions operating outside the capital, according to an announcement released Wednesday.

Last month, NBC made a similar announcement, revoking the licenses of 11 rural credit institutions and rejecting license applications from 12 other credit organisations.

Bun Mony, chairman of Vithey Microfinance, told Khmer Times that the microfinance industry is beset by bad practice, including businesses that operate without a license or charge excessive interest rates.

“We support the Central Bank in its decision to deny and revoke licenses in the sector,” he said.

“There are some rural credit organisations that earned a license and are not actually operating, and there are some who are operating without a license and charging high interest rates.”

“Other companies voluntarily gave up their licenses so they can operate in the black market without paying taxes.”

In March, NBC set an interest rate cap of 18 percent per annum for microfinance institutions, deposit-taking MFIs and licensed rural credit institutions to help the poor, curb over-indebtedness and reduce poverty.

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