Asialink Group of Companies, a leading Philippine non-bank financial institution (NBFI), has secured a $75-million syndicated term loan facility arranged by Standard Chartered Bank (Standard Chartered) — its maiden foreign and the first social syndicated loan for a local NBFI. This reflects global investor confidence in the company’s growth and providing fresh capital to expand micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) loan financing at a time when lending to the sector remains below the prescribed quota.
[L-R] Morris Huang, Deputy Manager for First Commercial Bank, Ltd. – Manila Branch; I Ching (Kimo) Chou, Deputy Manager, Hua Nan Commercial Bank Ltd. – Manila Branch; Ruben Y. Lugtu, II, Chairman of the Asialink Group of Companies,; Mike Samson, CEO, Standard Chartered Bank Philippines; Robert B. Jordan, Jr., Asialink Group CEO; Jacky Chou, VP & General Manager, Chang Hwa Commercial Bank, Ltd. – Manila Branch; and Liu Shuai, Managing Director, Bank of China (HongKong) Ltd. – Manila Branch during the signing ceremony of Asialink Group’s landmark financing deal with Standard Chartered Bank.
“MSME lending continues to fall short of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) target, showing there’s still much work to be done to make financing truly inclusive,” said Robert B. Jordan Jr., CEO of Asialink Group of Companies. “This partnership with Standard Chartered enables us to play a bigger role in bridging that gap – using global capital to support Filipino entrepreneurs who drive local economies.”
With the new funding, Asialink Group’s loan portfolio is projected to grow from ₱41.9 billion in June 2025 to ₱48.7 billion in December 2025, providing broader access to capital for small business owners often left behind by traditional lenders. By pooling resources from multiple lenders, the syndicated loan provides Asialink Group with a larger and more stable capital base, enabling it to scale its lending operations faster and reach more MSMEs nationwide.
For Standard Chartered Bank, a British multinational bank known for financing corporate and institutional clients, its support for Asialink Group reflects confidence in the NBFI’s role in driving inclusive growth by extending credit access to MSMEs underserved by traditional lenders.
“Standard Chartered is proud to support Asialink Group in this landmark social syndicated loan,” said Mike Samson, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Philippines. “We see a partner in Asialink Group with a proven track record in reaching underserved MSMEs across the Philippines. This collaboration reflects our shared goal of advancing inclusive economic growth and promoting sustainable financing in the country.”
The syndicated loan was arranged by Standard Chartered together with a consortium of lenders that includes Bank of China (Manila and Malaysia branches), Taichung Commercial Bank Co. Ltd., Chang Hwa Commercial Bank Ltd., Hua Nan Commercial Bank Ltd., and First Commercial Bank Ltd. This structure not only broadens Asialink Group’s access to capital but also distributes support across multiple institutions, reflecting both the strength of its business fundamentals and the shared confidence of regional and international banks in its long-term growth trajectory.
As one of the country’s most dynamic NBFIs, the Asialink Group of Companies plays a vital role in empowering communities by extending financial services to individuals and MSMEs with limited access to traditional funding through its companies—Asialink Finance Corporation (AFC), Global Dominion Financing Inc. (GDFI), and South Asialink Finance Corporation (SAFC).
Building on this strengthened capital base, Asialink Finance Corporation (AFC), the Group’s flagship company, is poised to further advance its commitment to empowering MSMEs nationwide, ensuring wider access to financing for entrepreneurs across the country. In just the first nine months of 2025, AFC reached a new milestone—supporting 15,401 MSMEs nationwide and opening doors for 1,025 women-led enterprises through its Women’s Access to Inclusive Support (WAIS) loan initiative.
“Our collaboration with Standard Chartered reminds us that we’re not working in isolation,” said Samuel “Sam” Carino, President and CEO of AFC. “With global partners who believe in our mission, we’re even more confident in expanding our reach and empowering more MSMEs to grow, thrive, and uplift their communities.”
To know more about the Asialink Group and Standard Chartered partnership, visit www.asialinkfinance.com.ph
