In a significant development for the Philippine financial landscape, Filipinos residing outside the Greater Capital Region (GCR) have now achieved parity with their counterparts in the capital in terms of credit knowledge and trust. This finding, detailed in the latest 2025 Credit Perception Index (CPI) study by TransUnion, indicates a broader and more inclusive participation in the nation's formal credit economy.
Closing the Regional Credit Gap
TransUnion's CPI, which measures Filipinos' knowledge, trust, and favorability toward credit and financial products, reported that consumers outside the capital scored 73 in 2025, up from 71 in 2024. This two-point increase matches the 73 score posted by those within the capital region, effectively closing a long-standing regional disparity. The improvement was primarily driven by substantial gains in product trust, which rose by 11 points, and product knowledge, which increased by 6 points. These gains reflect years of concerted efforts by both public and private institutions to expand financial literacy and access across the country, particularly in areas beyond Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon.
Diverging Borrowing Preferences
While intent to use credit is nearly identical across regions, with 39 percent of consumers outside the capital and 38 percent within expressing willingness to use credit in the next three months, borrowing preferences reveal notable differences. Capital-based consumers continue to show a stronger inclination toward traditional financial tools, with higher interest in credit cards (44 percent versus 36 percent) and bank loans (40 percent versus 37 percent). In contrast, consumers outside the capital demonstrate greater openness to alternative lending channels. This includes mobile loan apps (33 percent versus 27 percent), money lenders (29 percent versus 21 percent), and microloan providers (22 percent versus 17 percent).
This openness aligns with stronger self-reported knowledge of small-ticket credit products in provincial areas, such as mobile loans, microloans, and payday loans. It suggests that digital finance is gaining significant traction in regions where traditional banking touchpoints are more limited, highlighting a shift toward innovative financial solutions.
Sustained Demand for Financial Education
The study also uncovered a sustained appetite for financial learning outside the capital, with 70 percent of respondents expressing willingness to access financial education materials and 65 percent open to exploring new digital financial products. Social media remains the leading channel for financial and credit education across all regions, underscoring the critical role of digital platforms in scaling financial inclusion initiatives.
To support this growing demand, TransUnion has partnered with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) for the BSP E-Learning Academy (Bela). This collaboration will feature a credit education module accessible via the BSP mobile app, positioning TransUnion as the first credit reference agency to join the Bela program. The initiative aims to promote responsible credit use nationwide, further enhancing financial literacy efforts.
Industry Implications and Future Outlook
Peter Faulhaber, President and Chief Executive Officer of TransUnion Philippines, emphasized that these results highlight both an opportunity and a responsibility for the financial industry to expand credit access and education beyond the capital. The 2025 CPI findings indicate that improving credit perception outside the GCR could unlock new growth markets for banks, fintech firms, and lenders, while accelerating financial inclusion across the Philippines. This structural shift in the credit landscape promises to foster a more equitable and robust economic environment for all Filipinos.
