Welcome to the website of ASA, one of the leading Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) in the world.

ASA has been working relentlessly to reduce poverty since its inception in 1978.

The formal banking sector in developing countries, like Bangladesh, does not typically provide financial services to the poor. This sector concentrates on large loans to the upper class, thereby completely excluding low income groups.

The microfinance movement, however, has shown that there is a thriving market among the poor when financial products cater to their specific needs. The poor are a quite active group in any economy. ASA has shown that their needs can be met while at the same time making the providing institution profitable as well.

Up to June 2008 ASA's cumulative Loan disbursement has been TK. 284,686 million (US$ 4,126 million) while loan outstanding (principal) is TK. 29,182 million (US$ 423 million) among almost 5,675,784 borrowers.

At the end of 2007 ASA's Operational Self Sufficiency (OSS) was 175.51%, Financial Self-sufficiency (FSS) 121.44% and rate of loan recovery 99.32%.

ASA continues to perfect the role of financial intermediation by developing a variety of other products that are quite successful at generating necessary funds from local sources. This helps the poor to shield themselves against risks.

ASA is now also working in different countries, with Catalyst Microfinance Investors (CMI) through its ivnestment vehicle, ASA International (ASAI), to spread microfinance globally.

This coverage is a must to meet the target of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Microcredit Summit Campaign (MSC).

I hope this website will be helpful for you to know about ASA in-depth. I welcome all of you who are interested in ASA.