CREDIT RISK ASSESSMENT PRACTICES AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF MICROFINANCE INSTITUTION IN RWANDA A CASE OF COPEDU PLC

Background: This exploration design, with a case study of COPEDU PLC, aimed to assess the influence of credit risk assessment practices on the financial performance of COPEDU PLC in Rwanda. This exploration design was structured around three specific objects originally, to estimate the influence of customer financial status analysis on the financial performance of COPEDU PLC in Rwanda secondly, to examine the effect of the 5Cs of credit on the financial performance of COPEDU PLC in Rwanda and eventually, to assess the influence of credit risk on the financial performance of COPEDU PLC in Rwanda. Materials and Methods: To achieve the exploration objects, a descriptive and correlation exploration design was used. Data was collected through a combination of both quantitative and qualitative styles, exercising interview attendants and questionnaires. Using tale approach in the slice process, an exploration population of comprising of staff population of 65 at COPEDU PLC headquarters were all be regarded as the sample size. Results: The collected data presented compelling findings grounded on numerical data. specially, the analysis of COPEDU PLCs financial pointers revealed positive comprehensions, with crucial numbers similar as a mean credit score of4.49(SD = 0.75) and a mean debt- to- income rate of4.51(SD = 0.73). These pointers demonstrated a predominant agreement among repliers, with49.23 agreeing on the significance of credit scores and47.69 admitting the significance of the debt- to- income rate. The study also explored the relationship between the 5Cs of Credit and financial performance, revealing specific numbers similar as a mean score of4.35 (SD = 1.15) for collateral and4.42 (SD = 1.13) for capacity. In addition, effective credit risk operation strategies were quantified, with mean probabilities indicating strong agreement (SA) from41.85 of repliers on diversifying the loan portfolio and46.15 on effective loan recovery strategies. The correlation analysis further stressed a robust relationship, with a Pearson Correlation measure of0.894 (p- value = .000), italicizing the statistical significance of the positive association between credit risk assessment practices and the financial performance of microfinance institutions. Conclusion:The exploration study concludes grounding of the findings revealed that COPEDU PLCs credit risk assessment practices significantly impact financial performance, with repliers feting the significanceof crucial financial pointers and the 5Cs of credit. In addition, those effective risk operation strategiesare pivotalfor financial success. still, the study recommends microfinance institutions to upgradecredit riskassessment criteria, train staff on the 5Cs of credit, diversify loan portfolios, ameliorate loan recovery strategies, establish a methodical review process, and invest in technology results to enhance credit risk operationand financial sustainability. Eventually, the study made suggestions for farther exploration on credit risk operation in microfinance institutions, including assayingindividual financial pointers, comparing practices across institutions, assessing risk operation strategies, and tracking long- term goodson financial sustainability and growth. It also suggests comparing variations in credit risk assessment practices and enforcing effective recovery strategies.