Utilizing Social Media and Telecommunication Information for Financial Access in the Philippines via Artificial Intelligence
In the Philippines, where only half of adult citizens had a financial account in 2024 according to the World Bank's 2025 Global Findex report, a Vietnam-based fintech company, Trusting Social, is making strides to bridge the financial inclusion divide.
Johnny Escaler, CEO of Trusting Social Philippines, is a firm believer in the power of advanced data science to transform the financial landscape of the country. The company's AI-driven platform enables over a million borrowers monthly, providing alternative credit scoring to help lenders reach the underbanked population.
Nguyen Nguyen, Founder and CEO of Trusting Social, identified a core weakness in traditional finance as being inherently blind to individuals lacking a financial history. This blind spot often leaves those in remote provinces and other underserved populations without access to formal credit. However, with Trusting Social's services, these individuals can now access formal credit.
Trusting Social's platform analyzes masked, anonymized, and aggregated telco data to assess an individual's creditworthiness. This innovative approach allows lenders to offer loans to these underserved populations, thereby expanding financial services to a wider audience.
The company facilitates around USD $500 million in unsecured loans monthly, partnering with over 50 financial institutions in the Philippines, including major commercial banks and start-up lenders.
By addressing the financial inclusion gap in the Philippines, Trusting Social is not only revolutionizing the financial sector but also empowering individuals and communities that were previously overlooked by traditional finance.
