CIBI Honored at ABF Fintech Awards 2025 for Boosting Financial Inclusion in the Philippines

CIBI Information Inc., the Philippines’ first and only local credit bureau, has been recognized at the 2025 Asian Banking and Finance (ABF) Awards for its groundbreaking work in expanding financial access for underserved Filipino communities.

The award spotlighted CIBI’s Advanced Tier (AT) platform, a credit assessment tool launched in 2023 and enhanced through 2024, which aims to break down barriers to credit for individuals with little or no formal financial history.

For more than four decades, CIBI has remained a key player in pushing financial inclusion across the Philippines. Its recent achievement highlights substantial gains, including a 24 percent increase in scorable Filipinos and a 25 percent expansion in tradeline coverage. These improvements are critical benchmarks that suggest broader participation in the country’s formal credit ecosystem.

One of the most pressing challenges in Philippine financial services is the large number of unbanked and underbanked citizens. A 2024 report by Euromonitor International found that up to 76 percent of Filipinos remain underserved by traditional financial institutions, limiting their ability to access loans, start businesses, or build financial security.

CIBI’s AT platform addresses this gap head-on by tapping into government-mandated Credit Information Corporation (CIC) data. This allows rural banks, thrift banks, and fintech lenders to assess creditworthiness even among individuals without conventional credit histories.

By providing comprehensive, real-time credit data, the platform supports more equitable lending practices and encourages broader financial participation.

“This award validates the work we have done at CIBI for 43 years now,” said Pia Arellano, President and CEO of CIBI, during the award ceremony. “It is truly an honor and privilege to be catalysts for financial inclusion, proactively shaping a Philippines where opportunities are shared by all.”

Arellano added that the recognition will further inspire the company to continue breaking barriers and building bridges for underserved communities, ensuring that “not a single Filipino is left behind.”

The AT platform not only helps lenders make more informed credit decisions, but also empowers smaller financial institutions to compete with larger players by leveling the data playing field. As a result, it enables financial services to reach populations traditionally excluded from formal banking systems, particularly in rural regions.

Looking forward, CIBI plans to evolve the platform further with new features such as Triggers and Attribute Monitoring. These tools are designed to provide more predictive and proactive insights for lenders, helping them better manage credit risk and improve decision-making.

In addition, the company is exploring more advanced scoring models and deepening partnerships to extend its reach in rural and underserved markets.

Established in 1982 under the Central Bank of the Philippines, now the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, CIBI has grown into a vital credit reporting agency accredited by the CIC. The firm serves over 500 organizations and collaborates with global and regional players such as FICO, GDS, Smart Consulting, and Malaysia’s CTOS to align Philippine credit standards with international best practices.

Since being acquired by private equity firm Creador in 2020, CIBI has expanded its workforce and solution offerings to include employment screening, business intelligence, and more, with a mission to make credit access inclusive and reliable.

By continuously innovating in the credit landscape, CIBI is helping to unlock financial opportunities for millions of Filipinos and reinforcing the country’s move toward a more inclusive and empowered economy.