First Finance Plc was granted its license by the National Bank of Cambodia on 23 April 2009 and became the first financial institution in the country to specialize in affordable housing finance. The financial institution focuses on providing long-term home loans, home improvement loans, and medium-term home equity loans to low- and middle-income households that typically have little to no access to formal housing financial services. While most commercial banks cater mainly to wealthier Cambodians, First Finance serves a large underserved segment of the population.
Originally established as a joint venture between partners from Cambodia, Singapore, Luxembourg, Norway, and the Cambodia-Laos Development Fund, the institution was fully taken over by a local shareholder in June 2022. Over the years, First Finance has refined its housing finance model and built a strong foundation for growth. It also received the Gold Certificate for applying Client Protection Standards, highlighting its commitment to transparency and social impact.
General information
| Borrower | First Finance Plc |
| Country | Cambodia |
| Head office | Phnom Penh |
| Website | https://www.firstfinance.com.kh/ |
| Founded | 26 June 2008 |
| Active on Lendahand since | 12 August 2020 |
| Credit Score | A |
Financial information per 2025-06-30
| Portfolio Overview | €80,870,836 |
| Leverage ratio | 82.42% |
| Write-off ratio | 0.27% |
| % investment amount in arrears (>90 days) | 4.97% |
About Cambodia
Cambodia has had a lot to endure over the last century. Ongoing wars led to uncertainty offering many opportunities for corruption. In the last decade the situation in Cambodia has calmed down. The UN still classifies Cambodia as one of the least developed countries, yet it shows remarkable economic resilience. The economy grew by an estimated 5.4% in 2023 (World Bank). GDP per capita stood at about USD 2,630 in 2024 and continues to rise gradually. While the agricultural sector has declined, it still accounts for roughly 16.6% of GDP and employs a large share of the population. At the same time, the garment and textile industry has become the backbone of Cambodia’s exports, providing crucial employment and foreign exchange earnings.
Last funded project
CambodiaFor families in Cambodia, a safe home is not guaranteed. Phin and his family lived for many years in a small, old wooden house in Takeo province. The house offered little space and could not withstand storms. With a loan from First Finance, they were able to build a new, secure home.