ADB Funds GCash Lending for Philippine MSMEs

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a P1.75-billion (approximately $30 million) credit facility for Fuse Financing Inc., the lending arm of GCash, to significantly expand financial access for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and women entrepreneurs across the Philippines. This landmark agreement, signed on February 6, 2026, marks Asian Development Bank's first fintech-focused partnership of its kind in the ASEAN region. The initiative is further bolstered by catalytic funding from the Mastercard — Mastercard Impact Fund, supported by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, aimed at helping Fuse Financing Inc. scale its operations to reach high-priority, underserved merchant segments. In addition to the loan, Asian Development Bank will provide up to $125,000 in technical assistance to Fuse Financing Inc. for developing tailored financial products and delivering financial and digital literacy training, especially for women entrepreneurs with limited formal education. This collaboration seeks to address the significant challenge of access to credit for MSMEs, which constitute over 99% of registered businesses in the Philippines and contribute 40% of the GDP and 63% of total employment. The partnership leverages GCash's digital reach and its GSCore trust-scoring system to remove traditional lending barriers, promoting more inclusive and sustainable economic growth.