The Philippine credit industry is evolving fast. More Filipinos are seeking financing, yet barriers such as insufficient data, fraud, and weak trust in the system continue to limit financial inclusion. At the first-ever CIBI Impact 2025 summit, leaders from banking, fintech, and government explored what needs to change for the country to build a stronger and more inclusive credit ecosystem.
Here are the five biggest insights from the event:
1. Credit demand is surging across sectors
Economists and industry leaders noted that Filipinos are increasingly turning to credit. According to Metrobank’s Chief Economist Nicholas Mapa, lending appetite is rising, while CIBI’s Harley Chan highlighted significant growth in tradelines. Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services are expanding faster than traditional products like auto loans, mortgages, and credit cards, driven by digital adoption, government reforms, and better compliance in reporting to the Credit Information Corporation (CIC).
2. Filipinos are becoming more engaged with credit reports
Accessing credit history is no longer just for banks and lenders. CIC President and CEO Atty. Ben Baltazar revealed that by mid-2025, Filipinos had already pulled more than 10 million credit reports. With demand expected to climb alongside lending activity, consumer awareness of financial health is steadily growing.
3. The trust gap remains the biggest hurdle
Despite rising demand, nearly half of Filipinos are still unbanked, and just 1% of their loan applications get approved due to insufficient credit data, according to JurisTech CEO See Wai Hun. High delinquency rates and billions lost to fraud each year erode confidence further, making lenders hesitant and borrowers underserved. Fragmented and inconsistent data reporting continues to slow decision-making and restrict access.
4. Trusted data is the foundation of financial inclusion
CIBI Vice President Ivy Ramirez stressed that quality data improves efficiency, reduces risk, and directly boosts profitability. When institutions rely on transparent and accurate records, lending decisions become faster and safer, while consumers gain fairer access to credit. Without trusted data, however, defaults rise and opportunities for responsible growth are lost.
5. Collaboration is key to building a stronger credit ecosystem
The summit emphasized that no single player can solve systemic barriers alone. Regulators, banks, fintech firms, and global partners such as FICO, JurisTech, and FinScore showcased strategies that prove coordinated action can strengthen trust and extend financial services to more Filipinos. CIBI President and CEO Pia Arellano closed the event by announcing new initiatives like the Fraud Bureau and the CIBI Advanced Tier platform to reinforce transparency and combat financial crime.
Looking ahead, industry leaders agreed that the Philippines’ credit future depends on building trust as much as expanding access. As Arellano put it, “Only when trust keeps pace with demand can we build a future where no Filipino is left behind.”
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