CIBI Information Inc., the country’s first and only local credit bureau, was honored at the 2025 Asian Banking and Finance (ABF) Awards for its work in expanding access to financial services among underserved Filipinos. The award recognized the impact of CIBI’s Advanced Tier (AT) platform, which addresses longstanding barriers in the credit system.
For over 40 years, CIBI has supported financial inclusion in the Philippines. Their recent recognition reflects measurable progress, including a 24% increase in scorable Filipinos due to enhanced data quality and a 25% expansion in tradeline coverage—key indicators of broader access to credit.
Shaping a more inclusive and equitable future
One of the primary barriers to financial inclusion has been limited access to credit, particularly for unbanked or underbanked individuals. A report by Euromonitor International revealed that as much as 76% of Filipinos can be classified as unbanked or underserved by financial institutions.
Launched in 2023 and enhanced through 2024, the AT platform was designed to enable credit assessment for individuals with limited to no formal credit history. This initiative breaks the traditional barriers posed by private bureaus, enabling underserved populations, particularly in rural areas, to participate in the formal financial system.
Advanced Tier leverages high-quality credit information sourced from government-mandated Credit Information Corporation (CIC) data. This provides equal access to rural and thrift banks, as well as fintechs that serve the grassroots segment, democratizing credit visibility and supporting more inclusive and informed lending practices nationwide.
By delivering comprehensive, reliable, and real-time data, the platform allows lenders, including smaller players, to make informed credit decisions and responsibly serve a wider population.
“This award validates the work we have done at CIBI for 43 years now – it is truly an honor and privilege to be catalysts for financial inclusion, proactively shaping a Philippines where opportunities are shared by all. This will definitely inspire us to continue our legacy of breaking barriers and building bridges for the underserved so not a single Filipino is left behind.” said Pia Arellano, President and CEO of CIBI, during her acceptance speech. Her remarks underscored the company’s steadfast commitment to driving financial inclusion in the Philippines.
Looking ahead, CIBI plans to enhance the Advanced Tier (AT) platform by integrating features such as Triggers and Attribute Monitoring, which will offer lenders more predictive and proactive credit tools to manage risk. The company is also investing in advanced scoring models and expanding partnerships to increase its presence in rural areas, continuing its push to make financial services more accessible to all Filipinos.
