Amret obtains the Gold Client Protection Certification

8 December 2023 - 10:22 am

Congratulations are in order for Amret for obtaining the Gold Client Protection Certificationgranted by M-CRIL inclusive microeconomics.

This month, Amret obtained the highest level of Certification (Gold) under the newest Client Protection framework by CERISE + SPTF. Amret, a leading responsible MDI on the Cambodian market, has been devoted to Client Protection for several years. It was first awarded the client protection certification from the SMART campaign in 2016[1].

This latest Client Protection Certification is particularly important, as it attests to Amret’s compliance with the most recent standards and best practices in responsible finance.

“Amret is a strong proponent of responsible financing. This commitment extends not only to customers but also to lenders, regulators, staff, and shareholders. We are proud and honored to be one of the first microfinance institutions to receive the latest 2023 Gold Certification Award, as it further solidifies our position as a responsible microfinancing company in Cambodia”, said Mak Vichet, the Chief Risk Officer at Amret.

What are the Client Protection Standards?

The Client Protection Certification relies on 8 Client Protection Standards:

  1. Appropriate Product Design & Delivery
  2. Prevention of Over-Indebtedness
  3. Transparency
  4. Responsible Pricing
  5. Fair & Respectful Treatment of clients
  6. Privacy of Client Data
  7. Mechanisms for Complaints Resolution
  8. Governance & HR

The certification is designed to objectively evaluate the extent to which an organization follows the policies and operational practices necessary for protecting its customers from harm. It can be awarded at three levels – gold, silver, and bronze – in recognition of the different stages of progress[2].

What about Advans Group?

In 2022, the Advans Group renewed its commitment towards the implementation of the Client Protection Standards[3]. To ensure compliance with these essential indicators within a responsible microfinance industry, the Group is currently reinforcing Client Protection practices with a view to obtaining a certification for other subsidiaries from 2024 onwards. This renewed focus on Client Protection aims to ensure that client needs remain at the heart of Advans strategy and that Advans continues to be a leading responsible player in all of its markets.