Kiva conducts regular, ongoing monitoring of all Lending Partners, but only posts status updates here in response to relevant, major changes at the partner.

June 9, 2020 - COVID-19 Update:

Kiva has been in contact with Prisma Honduras to understand how we can best support their business and borrowers during the ever-evolving COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of all staff, borrowers and their families as this global pandemic continues.

While country-specific responses to the crisis vary, most governments have imposed curfews, travel restrictions, and nation-wide shutdowns. Honduras has imposed temporary moratoriums on loan payments, affecting not only microfinance, but the economy as a whole. 

As a result, borrowers and Prisma Honduras may experience difficulty making and collecting loan repayments due to the aforementioned restrictions or fallout effects of the virus. Over the coming months, it’s possible that lenders will see a delay in repayments and new loans posted by Prisma Honduras. As an impact-first funder, Kiva is committed to serving our Lending Partners, as in past crises. We are sympathetic to temporary increases in repayment delays and delinquency in order to help Lending Partners and borrower communities recover. 

Kiva is working closely with Prisma Honduras to support them and their borrowers through the COVID-19 crisis. Prisma Honduras is sending regular updates to Kiva, and we'll update Partner Pages as we learn more. 

On behalf of Kiva and Prisma Honduras, we’re grateful for your continued support through this difficult time. 

The Institution: 

Prisma de Honduras, S.A. : “Préstamos que cambian vidas”. This translates literally to “Loans that change lives”, the well-known Kiva slogan.

One of Kiva’s first field partners, Prisma de Honduras, S.A. joined the Kiva family in 2008 in an effort to expand the institution’s funding sources, and to promote the Kiva concept in Honduras. Prisma de Honduras, S.A. is a for-profit institution, a member of the holding company Prisma Microfinance Inc., which is based in Boston, USA.

Prisma Microfinance, Inc. entered Honduras’ microfinance market as a new loan provider in February of 2004. The initiative began as a microfinance program in FINACOOP, a local agricultural cooperative, under an administrative agreement valid until July of 2006. After September of 2006 Prisma began to function as an independent company, aimed at expanding its operations through low cost business and service centers, and under its own organizational structure promoting a strong operational team to achieve its goals. Currently it is in a process of strengthening its operations and foundations.

PRISMA’s primary niche in the marketplace is micro and small entrepreneurs in the commercial, production, and service centers. It also targets individual wage/salary earners. Prisma provides loans for amounts between 5,000 Lps (~US$270) and 200,000 Lps.(~US$10,800); clients who receive loans for under 22,000Lps (~$1200) for commercial use and/or asset acquisition are eligible to be posted on the Kiva website.

PRISMA is a member of the Red de Microfinancieras de Honduras (REDMICROH), a national networking organization that unites member microfinance organizations to promote strong and stable service within the industry in Honduras. In 2008 the national magazine Miroempresas & Microfinanzas recognized Prisma with the “Premio Impulso MicroEmpresarial” for their work in supporting the development of MIPYMEs. 

As of September 2011, PRISMA has a total of 17 employees, 8 of whom are loan advisors. They operate out of four offices, serving four departments (Francisco Morazán, El Paraíso, Valle, and Choluteca). Its branches are located in the following cities:

• Tegucigalpa
• Danlí
• San Lorenzo
• Choluteca

PRISMA is also a Kiva lender! http://www.kiva.org/lender/prismahonduras

Check out the Prisma lending team: http://www.kiva.org/team/prisma_honduras

For all Prisma loans currently fundraising on Kiva, click here.