First Finance Reports Resilient Growth Amid Cambodia’s Economic Challenges

PHNOM PENH, April 29, 2026 (KPT) — First Finance Plc has surpassed a $100 million loan portfolio in 2025, serving nearly 12,000 low‑income families, marking a milestone in its 16 years of operations despite Cambodia’s challenging economic environment.

Chief Executive Officer Sim Senacheert said the company expanded into six provinces, strengthened ESG commitments and renewed its Gold Client Protection Certification with a score of 99.1 percent.

He noted that 74 percent of clients were first‑time homeowners, with many using loans to improve water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, directly supporting family health and climate resilience. The firm also advanced digital innovation, achieving near‑perfect system uptime and expanding repayment options through KHQR platforms.

Chairman of the Board Hanco Halbertsma said Cambodia’s economy grew around 5 percent in 2025 but was hit by border conflict with Thailand, US tariffs and weaker demand for garments, tourism and agriculture. He noted that while the financial sector faced slower growth and higher risks, First Finance’s affordable housing portfolio was less affected, though challenges remained from restructured loans and defaults linked to property developers.

Halbertsma stressed that microfinance continues to play a critical role, serving 1.5 million borrowers with a loan portfolio of $6.5 billion. He warned of rising non‑performing loans and oversupply in the property sector, underscoring risks for lenders as Cambodia’s housing market remains underdeveloped.

First Finance said Cambodia’s 2026 outlook remains cautiously optimistic, with reforms, investment and tourism recovery expected to support growth despite persistent risks. The company pledged to continue disciplined expansion, enhance risk management and deepen ESG integration while advancing digital innovation to better serve its clients. First Finance was a joint venture company established between Cambodia-based First Home Plc, Singapore-based Phillip Capital, Luxembourg-based Insitor Fund, Cambodia-Laos Development Fund, and Norway-based Norfund.