By Sonya Delgado
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have agreed to continue the partnership on their Credit Risk Database (CRD) project designed to widen access to financing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
In a ceremony at the BSP head office in Manila on 11 December 2024, BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. and Chief Representative of JICA Philippines Office Sakamoto Takema presented the signed ‘Records of Discussion’ for the second phase of the CRD project.
The document formalizes the agreement between the BSP and JICA to transition CRD to permanent operations, explore new services, and outline the next plan of action for the project.
The CRD generates a credit score that financial institutions can use to assess the capacity of SMEs to pay loans. This broadens access to finance as it promotes risk-based lending, which reduces dependence on collateral for approving loans.
BSP and JICA started building the CRD in 2020. During the project’s first phase, they developed both the SME database and a credit-scoring model and tool. In October 2023, they began deploying the credit-scoring tool to financial institutions participating in the CRD project.
“As we end Phase 1 and move on to Phase 2 of the CRD project, I know we will all sustain the momentum we’ve built. Let us continue to work together to help SMEs and improve the quality of life of Filipinos,” Governor Remolona said.
Chief Representative Takema, meanwhile, said, “We are witnessing the commencement of the 2ndphase of our CRD project. It is instrumental to the [project’s overall] success and [reflects the] continued trust between BSP and JICA to further develop what has been achieved through the 1st phase of the project. Let’s continue to work together for a prosperous and inclusive development of the Philippines with CRD.”
The ceremonial signing was witnessed by Minister of Economic Affairs, NIHEI Daisuke, of the Embassy of Japan.
The financial institutions that participated early in the project are Land Bank of the Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines, Security Bank Corporation, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation, Philippine Business Bank, Sterling Bank of Asia, Inc. (A Savings Bank), China Bank Savings, Inc., Malayan Bank Savings and Mortgage Bank, Inc., Philippine Savings Bank, UCPB Savings Bank, Inc., Queen City Development Bank, Inc., Wealth Development Bank Corporation, Sun Savings Bank, Inc., AllBank (A Thrift Bank), CARD SME Bank, Inc., A Thrift Bank, First Consolidated Bank, Inc. (A Private Development Bank), and Small Business Corporation.
Additional participating banks include the Bank of the Philippine Islands, Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company, Philippine National Bank, Maybank Philippines, Asia United Bank, Philippine Bank of Communications, 1st Valley Bank, Inc. (A Development Bank), Bangko Kabayan, Inc. (A Private Development Bank), Luzon Development Bank, Camalig Bank, Inc. (A Rural Bank), Rural Bank of Paracale (Camarines Norte), Inc., Rural Bank of Pilar (Sorsogon), Inc., Rural Bank of San Mateo (Isabela), Inc., BOF Inc. (A Rural Bank), Lipa Bank, Inc. (A Rural Bank), and Bangko ng Kabuhayan (A Rural Bank), Inc.