First Circle Loan Guide for Business Owners

Discover flexible financing solutions for your business with First Circle's non-collateral, zero upfront fee credit lines in the Philippines.
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We’re building a new financial meritocracy for Filipino businesses and setting the pace for Southeast Asia.

At First Circle, we’re driving the digital shift from outdated banking systems.

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We're building a full-stack neobank—shaping the future of finance where great businesses move on merit. Small and medium enterprises power the economy, handling over 10 million transactions daily and more than 300 million supplier payments monthly.

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Our mission is to revolutionize financial services for underserved SMEs by providing the financing and tools that help businesses thrive. Over the last decade, we've transformed access to credit for thousands of businesses; and we're only just getting started.

Our product philosophy

We build systems and tools to help businesses operate better, grow faster, and unlock new possibilities

From our online banking solutions platform for managing cash flow and unlocking capital, to our solar solution that cuts energy costs and turns rooftops into assets, we provide tools that give businesses speed, clarity, and long-term control.

Our History

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2026
Product expansion continues. Invoicing, corporate credit cards, and automated payroll processing will help SMEs with even more parts of their business.
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2025
We officially launched our SME Business Banking product, introduced Future Salary Access (FSA) for employee salary loans, and initiated Solar Financing to help SMEs transition to sustainable energy.
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2024
We successfully raised US$7 million in funding from International Finance Corporation (IFC) to expand our offerings for Filipino SMEs.
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2023
Product expansion! Launch the pilot of our SME Business Banking product, and begin work on two new products (coming soon!)
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2022
Close new $25m debt facility to fund the next phase of growth.Customer base doubles in 2022.
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2021
Product evolves to our Business Credit Line making SME credit bigger, cheaper, faster, and more flexible!
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2020
COVID nightmare for SMEs and First Circle!

Proud of our response: proactive customer restructuring, and zero layoffs (but significant pay-cuts for Leadership)
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2019
Rapid growth to 1500+ customers gives us unique data to systemize our underwriting
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2018
$6m Series A and $20m debt facility raised.

Strategic focus on B2B SMEs with PO & Invoice Financing product
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2017
Accion invests in First Circle and we pass 250+ SME customers
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2016
We’re up and running with our first 100 customers after raising $1m seed capital from 500 Startups and others.
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We're led by a strong team

Patrick Lynch

Patrick Lynch

Chief Executive Officer
Chris Burgess

Chris Burgess

Chief Investments Officer
Benedict Carandang

Benedict Carandang

VP for External Relations
Josh O'Donnell

Josh O’Donnell

VP of Finance

Charles Allen

VP of Operations
Alan Smyth

Alan Smyth

Head of Acquisition
Bianca Baylosis

Bianca Baylosis

Head of Risk Operations
Christopher Abelarde

Christopher Abelarde

Head of Product Operations

George Boyd

Director of Finance

Loice Nipa

Head of Customer Success

Eden Pua

Head of Design

Anthony Wood

Head of Expansion

Omar Shokry

Head of People
Sam Nuñez

Sam Nuñez

General Counsel

We’re supported by a strong ecosystem

We create symbiotic relationships with fellow advocates of SME growth

OUR INVESTORS

Accion logo
Insignia Ventures Partners logo
Koru logo
Fasanara logo

OUR PARTNERS

Department of Trade and Industry
Partner
Quezon City Government
Partner
Philippines Finance Association
Member
Credit Information Corporation
Partner
Management Association
of the Philippines
Partner
Philexport
Partner
The American Chamber of
Commerce of the Philippines
Davao Chamber of
Commerce and Industry
Philippine Chamber of
Commerce and Industry
Cebu Chamber of
Commerce and Industry

First Circle is trusted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). View certificate

First Circle is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). For concerns, you may contact SEC at (+632) 8818-5554 or crmd_publicassistance@sec.gov.ph.

Our Commitments

How we take action on sustainability, governance, and social responsibility.

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