How First Circle Changed the Game: Celebrating a Decade of Empowering Filipino SMEs

Manila, Philippines — 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.”

First Circle has disbursed ₱25B to over 5,000 Filipino SMEs since 2016

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 places 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 ₱25 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.

Five new First Circle financial solutions for SMEs

Over the last decade, First Circle has also expanded its product ecosystem to address the needs of Filipino businesses. At the center of its offering is the Business Credit Line, a flexible, non-collateral credit line that lets SMEs draw funds when needed. With a credit limit of up to ₱20 million and interest rates starting at 0.99% per month, First Circle's Business Credit Line 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:

• Express Business Loan, an ultra-fast, non-collateral business loan of up to ₱20 million in as fast as 24 hours. With zero interest and a simple upfront fixed fee, SMEs can get same-day loan approval for bridge financing needs.‍
• ‍Business Credit Line Plus, which offers non-collateral business loans of up to ₱20 million. Monthly interest starts at 1.49%, with loan terms of up to 24 months.‍
• Bank Account* for online business banking with instant, zero-fee transfers. Enjoy financial freedom with no maintaining balance, batch supplier payments, scheduled transfers and more.‍
• Solar Financing, which enables businesses to switch hassle-free to rooftop solar with no capex and no upfront costs.‍
• ‍Future Salary Access, which lets SMEs offer transparent and fair employee salary loans at no cost or financial risk to their businesses.

Bigger, stronger partnerships to reach more Philippine SMEs

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 Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, invested $7 million into First Circle 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.

Driving the next decade of SME innovation

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 Filipino SMEs move forward. 

*First Circle is a financing company regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with email address at crmd_publicassistance@sec.gov.ph and contact numbers (+632) 8818−5554 and (+632) 8818−7163. Banking services and solutions are provided by our banking partners who are regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.