The body representing more than 1 800 non-bank credit providers, MicroFinance South Africa (MFSA), has rebranded as the Credit Association of South Africa (CASA) to reflect a broader focus across the credit industry.
Leonie van Pletzen (pictured), the chief executive of CASA, told members and stakeholders at its 2025 annual general meeting in Johannesburg that “the launch of CASA is another significant step forward to make credit a force for dignity, inclusion, and growth”. She explained that the change comes after “nearly three decades of progress, partnership, and purpose, and is our renewed commitment to serving the entire credit industry”.
CASA is structured as a member-based, not-for-profit association governed by an annual general meeting and an elected board and committees. The entity is registered as a section 21 company, with auditors MVB Auditors, and Nedbank as its banking partner. The organisation traces its roots to 1996 when it was founded as the Association for Microlenders, then later became MFSA before adopting this latest identity.
Van Pletzen said although the association’s purpose remains to enable ethical credit providers to offer regulated credit and contribute to the South African economy, “our focus is evolving”.
She added: “We are expanding our footprint, presence, and influence across our country, always keeping people and purpose at the centre.”
According to CASA’s CEO, most of the leading service providers in the sector are associate members, offering loan-administration systems, payment platforms, insurance and credit life cover, credit-bureau data, document verification, and compliance services.
“These partnerships strengthen our members’ businesses and help advance a sustainable, responsible credit industry,” she said.
She described CASA’s transformation agenda under three broad pillars: advocating with regulators and policymakers; creating platforms for collaboration and capacity-building; and supporting financial inclusion and trust in the credit market.
“Together, we aim to help expand financial access and create pathways for economic participation for all South Africans, especially for those who are financially vulnerable,” she said.
Role in credit eco-system
Non-bank credit providers, often referred to as non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), play a growing role in South Africa’s credit ecosystem. According to the National Credit Regulator’s quarterly data for the period ending March 2024, banks accounted for about 79.48 % of new credit granted in that quarter, while non-bank financiers made up 6.85 %, and “other credit providers” (including microlenders) 7.16 % of the market.
According to a South Africa Today report, additional industry insights suggest that non-bank lenders are significant in advancing financial inclusion: recent data indicate that 41 % of formally registered micro, small and medium enterprises access credit from non‑bank providers, nearly on par with the 51 % served by banks.
However, the sector also faces challenges. For example, the TransUnion South Africa Q1 2025 Credit Market Report found that non-bank personal loan originations rose 11.5 % year-on-year, but delinquency rates peaked at 41.3 %, the highest level since Q2 2021.
Van Pletzen said CASA’s ambition is to help shape this evolving environment by promoting safe, affordable, and regulated credit. A key aim of CASA is to engage with regulators to ensure the non-bank credit sector operates under clarity, responsibility and consumer protection.
