Filipino borrowers are excellent payers, even the severely resource-constrained small vendors honor their debts, contrary to traditional stereotyping, Zdenek Jankovsky, director and treasurer at Home Credit Philippines.
"Filipinos are responsible borrowers," Jankovsky said at a press briefing and added that microcredit is a widely used tool in the country to promote economic growth and financial inclusion.
In the eight countries where Home Credit has a presence, the Philippines is one of their important markets, with many customers "who pay back."
Since entering the country almost nine years ago, Home Credit has disbursed more than P178 billion worth of loans to Filipinos across segments, including education, health sectors, and services. Home Credit has become a one-stop shop ally to millions of Filipinos.
Over the past years, Home Credit has expanded its network to around 10,000 retail partners nationwide, has aggressively grown its online presence, and has forged partnerships with the biggest brands in the Philippines.
The company has focused on advocating financial literacy, which is also in line with Home Credit's thrust of championing the environment, social, and government programs. Some of the initiatives enabled the company to make financial inclusions a reality.
"Financial inclusion always has been at the heart of how we approach business. Ensuring that we can provide tailor-fit solutions to our customers' particular circumstances have been vital in our goal of bringing financial opportunities closer to more Filipinos, Jankovsky said.
Still, in pursuit of its goal of financial inclusion for more Filipinos, the consumer finance company launched its "Para sa Life campaign." This initiative hopes to spread a message of hope, making the grand a reliable ally of Filipinos for life.
One of the initiatives under the "Para sa Life" campaign is the "Payo sa Life," a two-minute radio show that discusses fundamental financial literacy topics. This program is aimed at various communities, including market vendors, farmers, fisherfolks, public transportation drivers, and security guards.
The "Para sa Life" campaign also debuted a music video — top-billed by singers-songwriter Moira de la Torre — that positioned HOme Credit as a reliable financial partner that assists Filipinos to win whichever stages of life they may be in.
"At home Credit Philippines, we see transformative communication as a way to tell our story effectively. The story of empowered Filipinos. The "Para sa Life" campaign did exactly that as it encapsulated our promise of a championship in our customer's life journey," shared HCPH's chief marketing officer Shiela Paul. "Being able to present our services and solution in ways that closely speak to our consumers helps us continue championing a financially empowered and inclusive Philippines."
