In a country where access to credit can open doors to better opportunities, CIBI Information Inc. is taking a major step toward making financial inclusion a reality for more Filipinos. The pioneering credit reporting agency has gained Advanced Tier access from the Credit Information Corporation (CIC) giving it visibility across 68.4 million individuals and 468.3 million accounts.
This milestone allows CIBI to provide a clearer and more comprehensive picture of Filipinos’ credit behavior, empowering both lenders and borrowers to make smarter, fairer financial decisions.
According to Pia Arellano, CIBI President and CEO, this development is about connecting more people to the country’s formal financial ecosystem.
“It’s really about data and having a more complete picture for every Filipino,” shared Arellano. “With Advanced Tier access, we can put together the missing pieces to help every consumer build a stronger financial identity.”
Turning Credit Data Into Financial Opportunities
Under the Credit Information System Act (CISA) of 2012, financial institutions must submit their clients’ credit data to the CIC. CIBI’s subsidiary, Credit Transaction and Verification Inc. (CTVI), processes these massive datasets into actionable insights from credit reports to credit scores that financial institutions use for responsible lending.
“Through Advanced Tier access, we process millions of data points from banks, cooperatives, and fintechs into insights that help institutions understand their customers better,” explained Jasmine Alansalon-Gonzales, CIBI’s Chief Product, Partnership, and Innovation Officer. “This allows lenders to balance growth with responsible risk management.”
CIBI’s enhanced visibility doesn’t just benefit big banks, it also empowers small lenders and digital platforms to reach first-time borrowers who were previously “credit invisible.”
Tracking the New Face of Borrowing in the Digital Era
The digital shift in financial behavior has revealed new patterns among Filipino borrowers. According to CIBI’s analytics team, small, short-term loans such as personal loans or buy-now, pay-later (BNPL) schemes are becoming more common.
“More Filipinos are borrowing in smaller amounts, typically between ₱5,000 and ₱10,000,” said Harley Chan, CIBI’s Chief Analytics Officer. “These patterns give us deeper insight into how people borrow and repay, helping lenders see potential beyond traditional credit profiles.”
These recurring microtransactions, when captured through CIBI’s Advanced Tier access, contribute to a borrower’s financial footprint. Over time, these small but consistent data points help consumers build credit histories, a stepping stone toward larger financial products like car loans, credit cards, or mortgages.
Data-Driven Solutions That Empower Lenders and Borrowers
With access to the CIC’s Advanced Tier, CIBI now enables banks, cooperatives, and fintechs to make data-backed lending decisions while minimizing risk. Its no-hit, no-pay policy reduces acquisition costs, encouraging institutions to serve more consumers even those new to credit.
By transforming raw data into reliable credit information, CIBI fosters trust between lenders and borrowers and strengthens the country’s financial ecosystem.
The company is also working toward making credit information more accessible to individuals, empowering them to understand their creditworthiness and encouraging responsible financial behavior.
Driving Inclusive Growth Through Credit Awareness
As CIBI continues to expand its database, it deepens its contribution to building a more inclusive economy, one where access to financial opportunities is driven by accuracy, transparency, and trust.
Through partnerships with banks, cooperatives, and fintech innovators, CIBI is showing that data can be a powerful equalizer, bridging the gap between unbanked Filipinos and the formal financial system.
Learn more about how you can take control of your credit at www.cibi.com.ph.