GCash lending arm Fuse marks 10 years of safe, accessible borrowing for Filipinos

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As predatory lending persists in the Philippines, Fuse Financing, Inc., the lending arm of GCash, continues to provide Filipinos with safe, transparent, and accessible borrowing options with fair terms

Barriers to formal credit, including a lack of valid IDs, formal documentation, and collateral, continue to restrict millions of Filipinos from securing fair and vital financial support. According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), traditional financial institutions rely heavily on these requirements to evaluate creditworthiness, leaving only 16% of Filipino adults able to secure formal loans from banks and other regulated lenders. Rising financial pressure drives vulnerable Filipinos toward informal, predatory lenders to make ends meet, trapping them in cycles of extreme interest rates and abusive collection practices. Addressing these remains critical to driving broader financial inclusion across the country.

Celebrating a decade of helping Filipinos build financial security, Fuse Financing has transformed the country's lending landscape by giving millions of underserved borrowers access to dignified lending. By leveraging technology and innovation, Fuse continues to bridge the credit gap through accessible loan products such as GLoan, GCredit, and GGives that offer transparent and fair terms, without the need for collateral.

Over the past 10 years, Fuse has helped everyday Filipinos to navigate emergencies and fuel personal growth.

Supplementing daily budget

Personal loans are the most common lifeline for Filipino borrowers, who turn to them mainly to manage everyday living costs, medical expenses, and schooling fees, according to the BSP.. Such is the case for 54-year-old Marissa of Tondo, Manila and 48-year-old Irene of Alaminos, Pangasinan.

Marissa, a former house help, is grateful that borrowing money can now be done in a few taps on her phone. "Salamat sa GCash at may GLoan dahil kapag kailangan namin ng dagdag na pera, may mahihiraman kami agad. Malaking tulong ito sa pang-araw-araw, lalo na sa pambili ng pagkain, pambayad ng bills, at iba pang kailangan ng pamilya." she said. (“I’m thankful for GCash because GLoan is a great help to us whenever we need extra money. I’ve also used it before for our everyday needs, such as buying food and paying bills. It’s truly a big help in our lives.”)

The Tondo resident previously obtained a loan amounting to P20,000 via GLoan, the flagship cash loan product of Fuse, which helped her in paying for medications and dialysis treatment. She also secured credit to buy groceries and settle monthly dues.

For Irene, a barangay health worker, GLoan and GGives enable her to pay for her child's tuition and pay bills on time, as well as cover their family's grocery expenses.

"Mas pinipili ko po ang manghiram sa GCash kaysa sa tradisyonal na lending dahil mas mabilis, mas magaan, at mas maayos ang proseso," she said. (I prefer borrowing through GCash rather than traditional lenders because the process is faster, easier, and more convenient.)

GLoan enables eligible users to borrow cash through the GCash app to help pay for expenses such as emergencies, bills, school fees, or business needs. GGives, meanwhile, allows eligible users to buy now and pay in installments, making it easier to afford bigger purchases such as gadgets, appliances, travel, and other everyday needs.

Humane approach to borrowing: zero-tolerance policy against harassment and abusive practices

While online lending has expanded access to credit, regulators warn that dishonest and unregulated operators continue to exploit vulnerable borrowers. Some illegal platforms charge monthly interest rates as high as 40 percent and resort to severe harassment, including contacting borrowers' family and friends to publicly shame them and coerce payments.

Bernadette Romariate, a 25-year-old borrower in Pangasinan, said that GLoan provides the necessary terms and conditions for the benefit of the borrowers.

"Meron kasi yung terms and conditions doon sa [GLoan]. Kung babasahin, may nakalagay doon na due date. So, it's your responsibility kung kailan mo siya babayaran," she explained. (The terms and conditions are clearly stated in GLoan. If you read them, you'll see the due date indicated there. So it's your responsibility to make sure you pay the loan on time.)

For Fuse, it ensures that it adopts a fair, humane, and respectful approach to collections, treating it as a form of customer support rather than punishment.

“We enforce a zero-tolerance policy against harassment and abusive practices, while ensuring that all collection activities comply with Securities and Exchange Commission regulations and ethical standards,” Fuse Financing president and CEO Tony Isidro said.

Through this approach, Fuse aims to help borrowers manage financial difficulties while building trust in the formal lending system.

Borrowing with dignity

All these efforts are in line with the mission of empowering Filipinos to borrow with dignity.

Sheila Gomez of Iloilo City lamented the social stigma often associated with borrowing, particularly the discomfort of having to ask family or friends for financial help. GLoan provided her with a private and dignified way to access credit without relying on others.

And it paid off. She used the funds to support her journey through law school, easing the financial burden and allowing her to focus on her studies. Now a lawyer, Sheila said she continues to use GCash to manage her finances.

"Loans don't have to be a bad thing. When you borrow with a clear purpose — like investing in your education — it can actually be one of the smartest decisions you make," she concluded.

For more information on loan products, visit gcash.com.

GCash’s lending arm, Fuse recognized for transformative lending campaigns

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In a country where financial inclusion remains a critical challenge, Fuse Lending Inc., the official lending arm of leading finance app GCash, was recognized as a leader in reshaping the lending landscape with two prestigious awards for innovative and consumer-focused campaigns that break down barriers to financial inclusion and redefined the meaning of credit for unbanked and underserved Filipinos.

(L-R) GCash Vance Pineda, Nicole Garcia, Lou Batac, Sami Garcia, Isobel Althea Palijo, Kim Martin Viray, Visa CMO presenter Gladys Chan, GCash Lio Cana, Dhana Martinez, Publicis JimenezBasic Riri Rarilio, GCash Gabo Itchon, Gabriel Hernandez and JC Tajolosa

In the first half of 2024, Fuse's 'Learn to Loan' campaign gained the attention of the Tambuli Asia-Pacific Awards, resulting in GCash's lending arm receiving the Bronze Award for Champion for Humanity. Fuse's Learn to Loan campaign promotes responsible lending to empower Filipinos to achieve their dreams rather than drowning in debt.

Meanwhile, Fuse was also given the Silver Award for Best in Event Activation at the PR Awards Asia-Pacific for its theatrical performance, "Borrow for Tomorrow: A Play on Fair Lending.” The play showcased the commitment of Fuse and GCash to 'finance for all' by presenting fair and accessible lending options in the most relatable manner to the audience. Set in fictional Barangay Pag-asa, the play brought the message of financial empowerment to life, attracting over 200 attendees, including media, celebrities, and influencers. The aftermath of the event translated into over ₱561 million in additional loan disbursements and a noticeable improvement in loan repayments, reflecting a growing trust in GCash’s lending solutions.

“These awards are not just accolades for Fuse but are also a validation of our commitment to making finance accessible to all Filipinos. By transforming the stigma around borrowing, we are helping more people take control of their financial futures,” said Fuse head of growth marketing Zo Canaria.

As Fuse continues to innovate, its efforts are not just about lending money to customers but rather in making a tangible difference in the lives of Filipinos. Through programs like "Learn to Loan" and "Borrow for Tomorrow," Fuse is ensuring that more people have the opportunity to participate in the financial system, moving closer to the vision of a truly inclusive economy where everyone has the financial tools to achieve their goals.

GCash has disbursed more than PHP 155 billion worth of loans to over 5.4 million Filipinos, including those in the grassroots sector, namely, sari-sari store owners, public market vendors, and farmers, driving the financial inclusion agenda by providing accessible lending solutions that truly resonate with the everyday Filipino.

For more information, visit https://www.gcash.com

Over PHP 155 billion of loans disbursed to 5.4 million Filipinos through GCash’s lending arm Fuse

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In the Philippines' pursuit of financial inclusion, access to fair lending is an essential pillar that empowers individuals and businesses alike. The country's leading finance super app and largest cashless ecosystem GCash, through its lending arm Fuse, is driving economic empowerment by putting accessible and affordable credit in the hands of millions of Filipinos.

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Fuse Lending opens doors to digital lending for unbanked communities, MSMEs

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It was in 2016 when GCash's parent company Mynt launched Fuse Lending to better serve underbanked Filipinos. Six years later in 2022, Fuse launched GLoan, a pioneering lending product that provides them with their first access to credit, without the need for credit history or collateral.

Fuse has expanded to include services beyond GLoan, such as GCredit (revolving credit line), GGives (installment loan for partner merchants), GLoan Sakto (nano-loans), and Borrow Load. With loans as low as Php100, GCash has disbursed more than PHP 155 billion worth of loans to over 5.4 million Filipinos, including those in the grassroots sector, namely, sari-sari store owners, public market vendors, and farmers.

Meanwhile, 68% of GLoan borrowers are women, while one out of three are micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

GCash opened the door to digital lending for many Filipinos who borrow money from informal sources – 86% of GLoan users are first-time formal borrowers.

“We saw GLoan as a lifeline for millions of Filipinos to get by in the aftermath of the pandemic, where there was the increased need for easier access to credit," said Fuse Lending president and CEO Tony Isidro. "We pulled many individuals and businesses from the dark, and fast forward to today, the enterprises we've helped are thriving, while the individuals have been able to bounce back. That is the transformative power of digital finance—to harness technology for good.”

Supporting the national strategy for financial inclusion

The progress that GCash and Fuse have enabled aligns with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' National Strategy for Financial Inclusion 2022-2028. The BSP is targeting a 10% percentage share of MSME and agricultural loans by 2028. Data from the Philippine Guarantee Corporation in 2021 shows that the percentage share for the two sectors, which drive the country's economic growth, are at 1% separately. GLoan’s entry also came at a time when the total percentage of their total loan portfolios had been declining.

The BSP cited data that shows some reasons that hinder Filipinos from accessing credit, including lack of money to open bank accounts (45%), documentary requirements (26%), and proximity to financial institutions (8%), while others (31%) also report being intimidated by traditional bank processes.

Despite their successes, GCash and Fuse are constantly innovating on ways to reach more Filipinos who remain in the “credit vacuum,” in view of the goal of Finance For All.

Reaching more Filipinos through Fuse's business partnerships

GCash and Fuse have expanded their lending services through recent business partnerships with various organizations such as Lazada (seller loans), and Mayani and Farm Konekt (farmer loans).

Through its partnership with Lazada, GCash is supporting online sellers, providing them with digital loans that accelerate their business growth. Fuse has integrated its seller loan product within the Lazada Philippines Seller Center app, giving the lending company access to MSMEs beyond the GCash platform.

Meanwhile, the partnership with Mayani and Farm Konekt provides farmers and fisherfolk not just with non-collateral loans and access to other GCash services, but also sessions on financial literacy and digital finance. This is in line with GCash's vision of financial inclusion, empowering the agricultural sector through technology and access to credit that helps them withstand challenges such as calamities and weather disturbances.

Innovating to address various needs

GCash is also rolling out Borrow Load and Borrow on the Spot, which will be useful for prepaid subscribers who might need access to load or data during emergencies while on a budget.

“GCash and Fuse have always built their relationship with their customers around trust," Isidro said. "That also means being able to tell Filipinos that we trust them with these loans, which they might need for varying circumstances. It has been our vision since Day One, and we're glad that our users have also placed their trust in us.”

GCash's lending arm Fuse recognized at The Asset’s Triple A Digital Awards

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Fuse Lending, the credit arm of GCash, the Philippines' leading finance app and mobile wallet, was recognized for its innovative products at The Asset’s Triple A Digital Awards, recently held in Hong Kong. The awards are a recognition by Hong Kong-based financial journal The Asset of companies and institutions that have “excelled in innovation” and have developed a “unique digital experience for customers across the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.”

From left: GLoan head Kevin Yu, and Fuse Lending, Inc. president and CEO Tony Isidro

Fuse Lending received the Best Emerging Digital Technologies Award for GLoan Sakto, a nano-loan product providing Filipinos with easier access to credit, specifically targeting Filipinos who prioritize the daily needs of their families or need support in making ends meet until the next payday.

GLoan Sakto was launched in August 2023 as a fast and easy cash loan solution for Filipinos. GCash users can borrow amounts as low as Php100 up to Php500, with repayment periods of 14 or 30 days, zero interest, and a processing fee starting at Php6.50. The service allows users to access smaller amounts and shorter-term funding without applying for the loan. Users can also tap GLoan Sakto to purchase items from over 200,000 GCash partner merchants.

“We are honored to be recognized with a prestigious award, and this affirms our commitment to delivering financial inclusion for millions of Filipinos,” says Fuse CEO Tony Isidro. We are there for the various financial needs of Filipinos, whether big or small. We are able to do this by completely digitalizing the loan process, from application to disbursement and repayment. Ultimately, our mission is to make credit accessible to every Filipino."

GLoan Sakto is part of GCash's financial inclusion efforts. The company is expanding its loan services to all socioeconomic classes, especially sectors with less access to credit, such as women, farmers, and micro enterprises.

“Research has shown that historically, only 2% of Filipinos have had access to credit, leaving a massive portion of the population with unmet needs. Our products and solutions are helping address the needs of Filipinos, no matter how small they may be,” adds Isidro. “Usually, these borrowers are excluded in the loan services of traditional banks. However, through digitalization, anyone with a mobile phone can have access to credit through GCash. These solutions are responsive to the needs of millions of Filipinos and ultimately help them realize financial progress.”

GCash's loan services, powered by Fuse, include GLoan, GCredit, GGives, GSakto Loans, and Borrow Load. As of end-2023, Fuse has provided credit to more than four million GCash users, disbursing over Php118 billion worth of loans. 2 in 3 borrowers are from the C2DE socio-economic classes, half are women, and 2 in 3 are from young people. Meanwhile, two out of three borrowers come from outside the National Capital Region.

For more information, please visit www.gcash.com