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United Finance PLC partners with IFC to strengthen affordable housing and SME financing

  //business-finance.news-articles.net/content/202 .. ngthen-affordable-housing-and-sme-financing.html
  Published in Business and Finance on Sunday, November 9th 2025 at 0:36 GMT by The Daily Star
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Background: UFP’s Role in Bangladesh’s Financial Landscape

Established in 1999, UFP has become one of the largest microfinance lenders in Bangladesh, providing a range of financial products to low‑income households, especially women, in rural and peri‑urban areas. Its portfolio includes microcredit, savings, and insurance services. In 2021, UFP was listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange, marking a milestone that expanded its capital base and enabled it to pursue larger development projects.

UFP’s core mission is to “lift people out of poverty by delivering sustainable financial solutions.” To that end, the company has consistently invested in technology to streamline loan origination, data analytics for risk assessment, and digital financial inclusion initiatives. The recent partnership with IFC is seen as a natural extension of this mission, bringing in international expertise and additional funding to scale impact.

The IFC Partnership: Objectives and Scope

IFC’s mandate is to promote private sector investment in developing economies, and this partnership aligns with its broader strategy of enhancing affordable housing and SME development in South Asia. The collaboration will support UFP in:

1. Affordable Housing: Providing low‑interest financing to low‑ and middle‑income households for home construction or improvement projects. The IFC will supply technical assistance in designing sustainable housing models and financial products tailored to the local market.
2. SME Financing: Expanding UFP’s micro‑SME loan offerings, particularly for women‑owned businesses, by increasing the loan disbursement capacity and enhancing risk management frameworks.
3. Digital Innovation: Leveraging IFC’s experience with fintech to improve UFP’s digital platforms, ensuring broader reach and lower transaction costs.

The partnership is structured as a joint venture, with IFC investing a significant equity stake in UFP’s Affordable Housing Fund and the SME Growth Fund. The capital infusion is expected to reach approximately $20 million over a five‑year period, although exact figures will be finalized in subsequent agreements.

Impact on Target Communities

According to UFP’s Chief Executive Officer, M. A. M. Hasan, the partnership will unlock financing for over 1.5 million low‑income families in the first three years. By providing tailored financial products such as “Home Building Loans” with flexible repayment terms, UFP plans to increase homeownership rates among its customers by 10% annually.

For SMEs, the partnership aims to broaden access to credit for 500,000 micro‑businesses, many of which are women‑led. By integrating a data‑driven risk assessment system, UFP intends to reduce the default rate on SME loans from the current 12% to below 8%. IFC’s role will be to offer technical assistance in designing these risk models and training UFP staff in advanced analytics.

Broader Economic Implications

The press release highlights the potential multiplier effects of the partnership. Affordable housing projects are expected to generate jobs in construction, masonry, and related supply chains, stimulating rural economies. Meanwhile, SME financing is projected to boost local entrepreneurship, increase household incomes, and contribute to the country’s GDP growth.

The collaboration also aligns with Bangladesh’s national development goals, particularly the 2021–2025 “Inclusive Growth Strategy,” which emphasizes financial inclusion and affordable housing. By integrating international best practices, UFP and IFC hope to set a benchmark for private‑sector-led development initiatives in the region.

Funding Mechanisms and Governance

IFC will provide the capital through a blended finance model, combining equity and concessional loans. This structure ensures that the partnership remains sustainable and that the returns are reinvested into expanding the program’s reach. The governance framework includes a joint steering committee, chaired jointly by senior executives from UFP and IFC, to monitor progress and make strategic adjustments.

The partnership also incorporates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. IFC’s ESG guidelines will be applied to all housing and SME projects, ensuring that environmental standards are met and that the benefits accrue fairly to all stakeholders.

Future Outlook

Both UFP and IFC have expressed a commitment to scaling the initiative beyond Bangladesh. The partnership will serve as a pilot model for similar collaborations across South Asia. The press release cited a roadmap for a second phase that will focus on expanding into neighboring countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka, where affordable housing remains a critical challenge.

In conclusion, the United Finance PLC–IFC partnership represents a significant stride toward strengthening financial inclusion in Bangladesh. By harnessing the combined strengths of a local microfinance leader and an international development institution, the initiative promises to deliver tangible benefits to millions of low‑income households and small‑enterprise owners, fostering a more inclusive and resilient economy.