FINTECH company First Circle is celebrating its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of expanding access to financing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the Philippines.
What began as a mission to solve one of the most persistent challenges in the Philippine business landscape, limited access to financing for SMEs, has grown into one of the country’s leading fintech platforms for business lending and banking solutions. First Circle has remained committed to one clear goal: empowering entrepreneurs with fast, flexible and accessible financial services designed specifically for the realities of running a business.
“For the past ten years, our focus has been simple: help entrepreneurs access the funding they need to grow their businesses,” said First Circle CEO Patrick Lynch. “Every milestone we’ve reached is ultimately a reflection of the success of the businesses we serve.”
Since launching operations in 2016, First Circle has funded more than 5,000 Filipino businesses, many of which accessed formal financing for the first time. The company steadily expanded its services beyond Metro Manila, supporting businesses across multiple regions and major economic hubs throughout the country. Today, the company’s customer base spans manufacturing, wholesale trade, logistics, construction, services and e-commerce, supporting businesses that collectively employ tens of thousands of workers nationwide.
Recently, First Circle’s growth has also earned international recognition. The company was named among the Philippine Growth Champions, a ranking compiled by Statista, Financial Times and The Straits Times that highlights the fastest-growing companies in the Philippines. The recognition placed First Circle among a select group of businesses that have demonstrated exceptional growth and innovation, reflecting the increasing demand for faster and more accessible financing solutions for Filipino SMEs.
To date, First Circle has disbursed around P25 billion in financing to SMEs across the country, helping businesses manage working capital, expand operations and navigate economic challenges, including the difficult years of the Covid-19 pandemic. During this period, access to flexible financing proved critical for many companies. Thousands of SMEs were able to maintain operations, sustain employment, and continue serving their customers despite global supply chain disruptions and economic uncertainty.
Over the last decade, First Circle also expanded its product ecosystem to address the needs of Filipino businesses. At the center is the Business Credit Line, a flexible, non-collateral financing solution that allows SMEs to draw funds when needed, rather than taking on a fixed loan. With credit limits reaching up to P20 million and competitive interest rates, the product has helped thousands of businesses unlock working capital without the rigid structures typically associated with traditional bank loans.
As the needs of entrepreneurs continue to evolve, First Circle has also expanded its product ecosystem with new financial tools and services, including: Business Credit Line Plus, offering longer financing terms for growing companies; Express Business Loan, providing ultra-fast bridge financing with approvals in as fast as one day; business banking solutions, offering fee-free business banking services; solar Financing, enabling businesses to install rooftop solar systems with no upfront costs, reducing long-term energy expenses; and Future Salary Access, enabling businesses to offer employees flexible salary loans at zero cost and zero financial risk.
These innovations reflect First Circle’s ongoing commitment to building financial solutions that keep pace with today’s fast-moving enterprises.
First Circle’s impact has also been strengthened through strategic partnerships with both global and local institutions. The company has collaborated closely with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to expand financing access for SMEs nationwide, through programs that connect entrepreneurs to financial services via DTI Negosyo Centers.
International organizations have also recognized First Circle’s role in driving financial inclusion. In 2024, the International Finance Corp., a member of the World Bank Group, invested $7 million into the company to support its expansion and further scale lending to underserved businesses in the Philippines. These partnerships reflect a shared belief that improving access to finance is one of the most powerful ways to unlock economic growth.
By combining proprietary technology, data-driven underwriting and fully digital processes, the company has significantly reduced the time it takes for SMEs to access funding, allowing businesses to secure financing in days instead of months. As First Circle enters its second decade, the company aims to expand its reach even further, serving more businesses, introducing new financial products and continuing to innovate in the fintech space.
Ten years is a meaningful milestone, but for First Circle, it represents just the beginning. The company’s story has always been closely tied to the stories of the entrepreneurs it serves, the builders, suppliers, manufacturers and innovators who power the Philippine economy. Every loan extended, every credit line approved and every partnership formed is ultimately about helping these businesses move forward.
As First Circle celebrates its 10th anniversary, it remains focused on the future: building modern financial solutions, supporting more Filipino entrepreneurs and continuing to unlock opportunities for SMEs across the country — because when small businesses grow, the entire economy grows with them.
