Francis Cruz owns a shop, Comercial Francis, that sells backpacks and general merchandise in Pasaje San Miguel in Comayaguela, a city just outside of the capital Tegucigalpa. Francis is a participant in Ficohsa’s Mujeres Adelante – or “Women Forward” – program that offers a range of financial products and services geared specifically to women, including savings accounts, loans, insurance and pensions, as well as financial education and store discounts.
“With the loans and lines of credit that Ficohsa has granted me, I have invested in the purchase of merchandise and, year after year, I have been increasing my capital. Thanks to the trust that Ficohsa has placed in me, and the financial products and services they have provided me, I have been able to achieve many goals, both in business and personally.”
Hi Francis. Please can you tell us about your shop, Comercial Francis, and how it started?
I own a business that sells backpacks and general merchandise. I started out by selling from home and, little by little, I saved enough money to make a trip to Panama to purchase new items to sell. Originally, my customers were mainly my colleagues where I worked. Over time, I discovered a taste and passion for selling. I rented my first shop in 1997 and, from then on, I have worked hard every day to get ahead and provide for my family.
How does the Mujeres Adelante program help you?
I use a wide range of Ficohsa’s Mujeres Adelante products to support my business. I have both a Lempiras account and a US Dollar account. I use a line of credit as well as loans to maintain cashflow. I use the online banking facilities a great deal, and I also require international transfers for overseas business transactions.
With the loans and lines of credit that Ficohsa has granted me, I have invested in the purchase of merchandise and, year after year, I have been increasing my capital. I have also acquired mortgage loans and, thanks to these, I have my own store and house.
As well as financing, how else does the Mujeres Adelante program help?
I have received personalized advice from Ficohsa employees in financial situations when I have really needed it.
What, if anything, is different about Ficohsa’s Mujeres Adelante program compared to those operated by other banks and lending institutions?
Thanks to the trust that Ficohsa has placed in me, and the financial products and services they have provided me, I have been able to achieve many goals, both in business and personally. I am grateful to have been considered for these types of financial products, and for the financial training provided by Ficohsa.