CIBI Information Inc. is taking another major step toward advancing financial inclusion in the Philippines, leveraging its access to the Credit Information Corporation’s (CIC) Advanced Tier to provide one of the most comprehensive overviews of Filipino credit behavior ever assembled. With visibility across 68.4 million individuals and 468.3 million credit accounts, CIBI is helping financial institutions make smarter lending decisions while opening fairer access to credit for millions of Filipinos.
“It’s really about data—and having a more complete picture for every single Filipino,” said Pia Arellano, President and CEO of CIBI Information Inc. “Through Advanced Tier access, we’re able to connect the dots and build a clearer financial profile for consumers. That’s how we help people participate more fully in the formal financial system.”
Under the Credit Information System Act (CISA) of 2012, financial institutions are required to submit client credit data to the CIC. CIBI’s subsidiary, Credit Transaction and Verification Inc. (CTVI), transforms this raw data into actionable insights—producing credit reports, credit scores, and analytical tools that help banks, cooperatives, and fintechs serve customers better.
“Advanced Tier access allows us to process millions of data points into meaningful insights,” explained Jasmine Alansalon-Gonzales, CIBI’s Chief Product, Partnership, and Innovation Officer. “These insights empower lenders to strike a balance between financial growth and responsible risk management.”
CIBI’s data also shows a clear shift toward smaller, more frequent digital transactions. Personal loans and buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) schemes are surging in popularity, signaling that many Filipinos are starting their credit journeys with microloans.
“Many borrowers now take out small loans between ₱5,000 and ₱10,000,” noted CIBI Chief Analytics Officer Harley Chan. “These transactions provide valuable behavioral data—how people borrow, repay, and manage credit—which helps lenders assess creditworthiness beyond traditional loan products.”
Such digital borrowing patterns are reshaping the financial landscape. Previously unseen payment histories are now captured through apps and online platforms, enabling lenders to build more accurate, inclusive credit profiles. Over time, these small financial steps can lead to bigger opportunities—credit cards, business loans, or home mortgages.
CIBI’s access to advanced CIC data has also strengthened its suite of digital solutions for partner institutions. By analyzing borrower behavior and risk patterns more deeply, lenders can design more inclusive financial products, minimize defaults, and lower costs.
Through its no-hit, no-pay policy, CIBI further reduces acquisition expenses for financial institutions, encouraging them to serve more consumers—especially those new to formal credit systems.
As the company continues to expand its data coverage and partnerships, it also works to educate Filipinos on the importance of credit history. CIBI aims to make credit information more accessible to individual consumers, empowering them to take charge of their financial identity.
Each year, CIBI’s growing database strengthens the country’s financial backbone—one data point, one borrower at a time. By ensuring that accurate, secure, and shared credit information benefits both lenders and borrowers, CIBI plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between financial opportunity and inclusion.
In a nation where millions still remain outside the banking system, CIBI’s efforts underscore a powerful truth: visibility is the first step toward inclusion—and data, when used responsibly, can light the path to a more equitable economy.
Source: thechronicle.com.ph
