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FEPCMAC Warns Extortion Threatens to Shut 250 Microfinance Agencies as Informal Lending Surges

The federation is urging a S/5,000 million guarantee program to protect credit in high‑risk areas.

Overview

  • Hotspots include Lima Norte, Piura, La Libertad and Ica, where agencies face threats and the 1,000‑branch municipal network is curtailing services.
  • Informal “gota a gota” lending already exceeds S/4,000 million and could top S/6,000 million in 2026 if trends continue, the study finds.
  • FEPCMAC estimates mypes lose more than S/6,000 million annually to extortion and warns of S/10,000 million in lost placements with up to 500,000 people pushed out of formal credit.
  • Some providers have suspended in‑person visits as analysts report paying “safe‑conduct” fees, with security spending above S/600 million and rising delinquency reported.
  • Alongside the guarantee plan, the federation calls for repealing “pro‑crime” rules, deploying secure digital channels with education, and strengthening protections for frontline workers.