For many Filipinos, borrowing money has long been a way to get through tough times. It can help to pay for food, tuition, medicine, or bills when income falls short. These needs remain real and urgent. But as the economy shows signs of stability, it’s also time to ask: Can loans be more than just a last resort?
After months of scorching heat, the country is now grappling with torrential rains as the rainy season sets in. While the rains offer hope for renewed harvests, they also carry the threat of stronger, more destructive typhoons. Despite their vital role in food production, farmers remain among the most vulnerable, repeatedly bearing the brunt of extreme weather with limited protection.
MyFintech Week (MyFW) returns for its highly anticipated third edition from 4 – 7 August 2025, at a pivotal juncture as Malaysia assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship. This milestone underscores a renewed emphasis on regional collaboration and shared growth within the dynamic fintech ecosystem.
With AI emerging as the new frontier in digital payments, Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in the industry, has unveiled a suite of innovative products designed to enable the next wave of digital payment experiences in the Philippines. The country’s digital payment sector is rapidly expanding, with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reporting that 50% of retail payments were digitized in 2023—a milestone that highlights both the growing adoption and the readiness for further innovation.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is helping to bridge this gap by leveraging alternative data, like utility payments, e-commerce activity, and social media behavior, to enable faster, smarter, and more inclusive credit assessments. Citing the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) highlights alternative data as a strategic priority in advancing financial access nationwide, and lending platforms like JuanHand are implementing this vision. It utilizes AI to expand access to credit for millions of Filipinos traditionally excluded from the formal financial system.
Igloo, a leading regional insurtech, is reinforcing its commitment to making insurance more accessible with the launch of Igloo Tech Solutions.
Visa, a world leader in digital payments is looking to expand support for Filipino small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which, despite their economic contribution, still face significant barriers to financial inclusion and growth. While making up more than 99% of all business enterprises in the country and generating 66% of total employment, SMEs in the Philippines continue to face significant challenges, including access to funding.
JuanHand, the Philippines' leading online lending platform, has been named Outstanding Fintech Platform at the 2025 Global Brand Frontier Awards, solidifying its position as a global innovator.
SAP SE (NYSE: SAP) today announced that VFS Global, the world-leading provider of visa, consular and technology services to governments and diplomatic missions, will leverage SAP software to help it develop leading-edge AI-powered digital solutions for cross-border mobility and citizen services.
Igloo is helping the industry move away from legacy systems by introducing modular, no-code platforms that enable businesses to scale efficiently, reduce operational complexities, and enhance customer experiences.
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