Description


Prisma is a microlender registered as a U.S.-based international holding company offering financial services in Latin America. Its principal business operations are making loans to “unbanked” customers that are ignored by the mainstream finance sector. Prisma makes loans, at risk-adjusted market rates, from USD 50 to USD 15,000. Application for services is open to anyone. Prisma is run in accordance with international banking standards.

Vision


Our Vision is that 1% of the stock and bond portfolios held by the investing public will be invested in microfinance as a certified asset class in order to eradicate poverty by creating wealth.

History


Prisma's founders, Roger Aburto and David Satterthwaite, shared a common vision: The social mission to offer "un-banked" people affordable capital and professional customer service. The Nicaraguan and the American sought to connect "micro-credit" with "social investment" to build a good bank in Nicaragua.

In Nicaragua in 1995, the two entrepreneurs founded the predecessor to Prisma with $1,000 in personal start-up capital and a $4,000 loan from an American businessman, George Kraus, who is now a Board Member. Prisma has always operated as a business, never accepting donations or subsidies.

Prisma's mission remains the same today as in 1995: the "double-bottom line" of profit and social mission. In 2001, Prisma was founded as a U.S. Corporation.

Philosophy


Financial services build strong market democracies in developing countries. The "mainstreaming" of financial services promotes private property for more citizens.

Prisma is a "double-bottom line" company, which means profitably and responsibly serving "un-banked" people. Micro-loans create private property. International microfinance is a path to James Madison's vision (right) on a global scale. Moreover, meeting the challenges of successful "globalization" demands Madison's vision.

Prisma offers the ideal of "private property for all".