We provide savings groups with loans that help members grow their businesses in many ways.
Savings group work, but growth takes capital.
Across remote and underserved communities, savings groups fill the gap left by traditional banks. Members save together, lend to one another, and build financial security, often starting with just small amounts of cash.
To support them, we inject capital into mature savings groups, helping entrepreneurs grow their livelihoods faster, earn more, and plan for the future.
FAST provides group-based loans to established savings groups—designed especially for women in rural communities.
Through VisionFund’s partnership with World Vision, FAST enables women to grow businesses, strengthen livelihoods, and create secure futures for their children, breaking cycles of intergenerational poverty.
There are four key elements that make VisionFund’s FAST program distinct:
FAST loans are designed for savings groups that are ready to grow. These are established groups—built on trust, shared responsibility, and strong record-keeping—where members support one another and make decisions together. Loans are made to the group as a whole, with everyone agreeing to participate and invest in income-generating activities. With financial literacy already in place, groups continue their usual savings and lending practices—now with more capital and greater opportunity.
FAST is delivered by field officers from the communities they serve. Many are former World Vision volunteers who understand local culture, language, and realities.
We prioritise hiring women as field officers to build trust, ensure safety, and strengthen relationships with clients, most of whom are women.
FAST uses mobile money and digital onboarding to make it accessible, safe, and close to home. Savings groups are registered right at their meeting places, eliminating long, risky journeys to branches. Loans move securely through mobile phones, staff operate without carrying cash, and paperless systems keep everything efficient. Real-time data helps us better understand and serve communities, bringing banking directly into people’s hands where life happens.
FAST includes embedded education that strengthens long-term outcomes—reinforcing World Vision programs and expanding skills beyond finance.
The training includes financial literacy, women’s economic empowerment, child and maternal health, child protection, and Empowered Worldview.
Our team is ready to answer your questions and explore how your goals align with our framework for community empowerment.
