What TISA does

TISA (Teachers Savings and Loan Society Limited) is a Papua New Guinea cooperative savings and loans society established in 1972, registered under the Savings and Loans Societies Act 2015 and regulated by the Bank of Papua New Guinea. Originally serving teachers and Department of Education employees with ~3,000 members, TISA has grown into the largest Savings & Loans Society in PNG and the largest Credit Union in the Pacific, serving 56,000-63,000+ members across public and private sector employees nationwide through 17 provincial branches. Its core products include four personal loan products (Personal Loan at 13%, Net Worth Loan at 12%, L3 Product Loan, and Moni Minus debt consolidation at 17% effective p.a.), six savings products (General Savings, Pikinini Savings at 6% p.a., Hamamas Saver, Christmas Club, School Fee Club, and YumiAccount transaction account at 2% p.a.), and the YumiCard domestic debit card.

TISA runs on Oracle Flexcube 14.7 as its core banking system (migrated from Ultracs in June 2024), with Oracle Digital Banking Experience (OBDX) powering internet and mobile banking, USSD banking for non-internet access, SMS account checking via short code 1668, biometric authentication, and a self-service online lending platform (K200-K25,000, 48-hour processing). The Group operates a Tier Two Data Centre in Port Moresby with online DR replication. The 2024 addition of a commercial banking license for subsidiary TISA Bank Limited (formerly TCF) extends the franchise into SME, retail, and commercial banking with an agency banking model.

TISA's revenue model is anchored in net interest margin — loan interest income at 12-17% effective rates on personal loans funded by member deposits paying 2-6% — supplemented by recurring account-keeping fees (K2.00-K3.50/month), loan processing fees (K25-K50), and card/transaction fees. Members are mutual shareholders and receive an annual 7% discretionary bonus interest on savings (K21.3 million distributed for FY2025, paid consistently for 6+ years). GTM is a hybrid of employer SDA-driven member acquisition, branch sales, and digital self-service. Subsidiaries include TISA Bank and TISA Foundation (social impact). FY2025 profit after tax was K95.8 million on a K1.01 billion balance sheet, with K1.18 billion group assets reported for FY2023.

Name

TISA

Legal name

Teachers Savings and Loan Society Limited

Website

https://tisa.com.pg

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

TISA is a Papua New Guinea cooperative savings and loans society, the largest in PNG and the largest credit union in the Pacific, serving 56,000+ members with personal loans, savings products, a YumiCard debit, and digital banking across 17 branches and through subsidiary TISA Bank.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Savings and Loans Society Services

SIC

Savings Institutions, Not Federally Chartered (6036), State Commercial Banks (6022), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Development Credit Unions (CDCUs) (FSABAEAC)

Keywords

• Savings and loans
• Credit union services
• Personal lending
• Savings accounts
• Debit card services

Headquarters

HQ city

Waigani

HQ country

Papua New Guinea

HQ region

Oceania

Offices18 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Loan Interest Income: TISA earns interest income on personal loans, net worth loans, L3 loans, and Moni Minus loans. Interest rates range from 12% to 17% effective per annum. This is the primary revenue driver.
2. Account Keeping and Service Fees: Monthly account keeping fees charged on loan and savings accounts (e.g., K2.00/month for personal loans, K3.50/month for general savings). Loan processing fees of K25.00 per application.
3. Card and Transaction Fees: Fees associated with YumiCard issuance, replacement, PIN changes, ATM withdrawals, and EFTPOS transactions. Daily ATM withdrawal limit K2,000; daily EFTPOS limit K15,000.
4. Savings Float Income: Interest paid to members on savings balances (2%-6% p.a. on various accounts) represents a cost, but the deposit base funds the lending book generating net interest margin.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

TISA is a member-owned cooperative Savings and Loans Society that provides a suite of personal savings and loan products, a transaction account with debit card access, and digital banking channels to employees of public and private institutions across Papua New Guinea. The Society operates 17 provincial branches and digital channels (internet, mobile, USSD, SMS, online lending) to serve over 56,000 members, with the YumiCard debit card accepted across all BSP ATMs and EFTPOS terminals in PNG.

Product overview

TISA (Teachers Savings and Loan Society) is a cooperative financial institution offering a comprehensive suite of savings and loan products. The core portfolio includes four personal loan products (Personal Loan, Net Worth Loan, L3 Product Loan, and Moni Minus debt consolidation), six savings products (General Savings, Pikinini Savings, Hamamas Saver, Christmas Club, School Fee Club, and YumiAccount transaction account), and multiple digital banking channels (YumiCard debit card, Internet Banking, SMS Account Check, Online Lending, and USSD Banking). The TISA Group also includes TISA Bank (commercial banking subsidiary) and TISA Foundation (social responsibility initiatives). The institution operates 17 provincial branches in Papua New Guinea serving over 56,000 members, regulated by the Bank of Papua New Guinea under the Savings and Loans Societies Act 2015.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• YumiCard: Domestic debit card linked to TISA YumiAccount allowing 24/7 access to funds at BSP ATMs and EFTPOS terminals
• YumiAccount
• TISA Pikinini Savings
• TISA Personal Loan
• TISA Net Worth Loan
• TISA L3 Product Loan
• TISA Moni Minus Loan
• TISA General Savings
• TISA Hamamas Saver
• TISA Christmas Club Savings
• TISA School Fee Club Savings

Products and services

• TISA Personal Loan Personal loan product for purchasing personal goods at an effective interest rate of 13.00% p.a. on a fixed reducing balance, with minimum loan amount K200 and a K25 loan processing fee; available to existing TISA members.
• TISA Net Worth Loan Loan product for existing TISA members restricted by ALESCO, allowing them to take a loan based on the net worth of their savings at an effective interest rate of 12.00% p.a.
• TISA L3 Product Loan Cash-ready loan for individuals who are not yet TISA members but wish to join and obtain a loan in one step, with minimum loan of K1,000, maximum K3,000 for teachers and K6,000 for others, and a K50 loan processing fee.
• TISA Moni Minus Loan Debt consolidation product that assists members roll all their debts from other financial institutions and commercial banks into one loan facility at an effective interest rate of 17.00% p.a.
• TISA YumiAccount Transaction account providing 24/7 access to funds via the YumiCard for purchases and cash access, earning 2.00% p.a. interest with same-day crediting of approved loans; Account Opening Fee K20.00 and Monthly Account Service Fee K3.50.
• TISA General Savings All-purpose compulsory savings account required when becoming a member, acting as a trading account from which members can obtain loans against accumulated savings; 2% interest credited annually with withdrawal limit restricted to 50% or less of available networth.
• TISA Pikinini Savings Account Savings account designed for members' children aged 17 years and below to foster savings culture from an early age, earning 6.00% p.a. interest with K10 minimum deposit and no opening or maintenance fees.
• TISA Hamamas Saver Optional savings product for members who want to save year-round with benefits at year-end and beginning of new year; no withdrawals allowed until December-February.
• TISA Christmas Club Savings Special purpose savings account to help members save for Christmas expenses at a competitive interest rate.
• TISA School Fee Club Savings Special purpose savings account intended to assist parents save for their children's school fees and other educational expenses.
• TISA YumiCard Domestic debit card linked to the YumiAccount enabling 24/7 access to funds at all BSP ATMs and EFTPOS terminals throughout Papua New Guinea for purchases, cash withdrawals, and balance checks.
• TISA Internet Banking Online banking platform enabling members to view savings and loan accounts and transactions, transfer funds within own accounts, request third party statements, activate SMS banking, update contract details, view interest earned and paid, and print statements.
• TISA Mobile Banking Mobile banking application via Oracle Digital Banking Experience (OBDX), launched following the core banking migration to Flexcube 14.7 in June 2024.
• TISA SMS Account Check SMS-based service available to Digicel subscribers using short code 1668, enabling members to check balances of all savings and loan accounts, view last 5 transactions, and check year-to-date interest via text messages.
• TISA USSD Banking USSD-based banking channel introduced after the Flexcube migration, providing basic banking services via mobile phone without internet connectivity, replacing SMS banking functionality.
• TISA Online Lending Self-service electronic loan application platform accessible via the TISA Internet Banking portal, allowing contributing members without existing loans to apply for loans from K200 to K25,000 with 48-hour processing time and only the standard K25 processing fee.
• TISA Bank Limited Fully-fledged commercial bank subsidiary of TISA Group, granted a banking license by the Bank of Papua New Guinea in August 2024, providing comprehensive banking services through digital platforms, mobile banking, and an agency banking model to retail, commercial, and SME segments.
• TISA Foundation Corporate social responsibility entity of TISA Group driving social responsibility commitments and initiatives including leadership programs for Papua New Guinean leaders and financial literacy trainings for communities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 7% additional bonus interest paid to members for 6+ consecutive years (2018-2023)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Credit Guarantee Corporation Limited (CGC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2024Tisa Community Finance (TCF) signed a Credit Guarantee Agreement with CGC to enable SME customers to have access to credit guarantee support. CGC provides credit guarantees to TCF, enabling TCF to extend credit to SMEs. This is part of the PNG Government's objective to provide access to finance for MSMEs and drive economic growth. TCF is the 13th financial institution partnering with CGC.
• PNG Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs Connect (PNG IWEC)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 February 2024TISA partnered with PNG IWEC to support local women entrepreneurs involved from micro/informal businesses to aspiring and women-led businesses. TISA provided K200,000 funding to PNG IWEC to support rollout of programs including tailored training, key partnerships for local women-led business growth, and social insurance rollout. This supports TISA's purpose of improving wellbeing of people and communities.
• Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2023TISA became a full member of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values on 1 November 2023 — the first financial institution in the Pacific to join GABV. GABV is a network of 70+ independent banks and financial institutions committed to advancing positive change in banking using finance for sustainable economic, social and environmental development. TISA participates in annual Banking on Values Day celebrations and GABV Leadership Academy programs.
• Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG)coreOthersTisa Community Finance (TCF) received a banking license from BPNG, effective August 2024, becoming TISA Bank Limited — a fully-fledged commercial bank. TISA Group operates under regulatory oversight of BPNG as a Savings and Loans Society under the Savings and Loans Societies Act 2015.
• Oracle / Profinch (Implementation Partner)coreTechnology or IntegrationOracle Flexcube 14.7 is the core banking system provider. Profinch served as the implementation partner for the core banking system migration completed in June 2024. Yethi served as the testing partner. Deloitte provided advisory services. The migration was described as 'seamlessly executed.'
• GABV Leadership Academy / MIT Co-Lab / Presencing InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTISA women leaders (Anna Leidimo, Head of People and Culture, and Jennifer Galindo, Internal Audits Manager) selected for the GABV Leadership Academy program 'Co-creating a Regenerative Future.' A four-month hybrid program with an immersion module in Padua, Italy. Facilitated by GABV in partnership with MIT Co-Lab and Presencing Institute.

Scale indicators27 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Nambawan Super Limited: PNG superannuation fund and long-tenured savings vehicle for PNG workers. Comparable in drawing employee contributions through payroll, serving an overlapping public/private sector member base, and competing with TISA for share-of-wallet on member savings, albeit as a retirement fund rather than a transactional lender.
• Teachers Mutual Bank (Australia): Australian mutual bank serving educators and the broader community with savings, loans, and transaction accounts. Directly comparable to TISA's original teacher-focused origin, mutual/cooperative ownership model, and product mix of savings plus affordable personal loans.
• NASFUND (National Superannuation Fund): PNG's largest superannuation fund, drawing contributions from public and private sector employees via payroll deduction — the same employer-based GTM motion TISA uses to acquire members and collect savings. Comparable employee base, similar regulatory oversight by Bank of PNG, and overlapping customer relationship with TISA's salary deduction agreements.
• Bank Australia (formerly Members Equity Bank): Australian customer-owned bank with a strong values-driven, cooperative-style positioning — comparable to TISA's GABV-aligned, member-first identity. Similar focus on responsible retail banking, savings products, and ESG positioning, though operating at much larger scale.

Emerging players

• PNG Microfinance Limited: PNG-focused microfinance institution serving MSMEs and unbanked segments, directly overlapping TISA's financial-inclusion and SME lending ambitions (e.g., via the CGC partnership). Smaller and less diversified than TISA but pursues the same MSME/underserved borrower opportunity in PNG.

Broad incumbents

• Westpac PNG: Another large international commercial bank with PNG operations, providing consumer and SME banking products. Competes with TISA for salary-deduction-eligible employees of large PNG corporates and government entities, but does not specialize in the cooperative/credit-union model.
• Bank South Pacific (BSP): BSP is the largest commercial bank in Papua New Guinea and operates the dominant ATM/EFTPOS network that TISA's YumiCard rides on. It is a broad incumbent in the same retail and SME banking market TISA now targets through TISA Bank, with overlapping member/customer needs but far larger scale.
• ANZ Bank Papua New Guinea: One of the major international commercial banks operating in PNG, offering retail deposits, consumer credit, and corporate banking. A broad incumbent competing for the same public and private sector employees that TISA serves, with deeper international balance-sheet capacity but a narrower PNG footprint than BSP.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/teacherssavingsandloansociety

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about TISA