ADB Partners with GCash: A ₱1.75 Billion Initiative to Boost MSME Lending

Gcash and other similar digital wallets are now a part of our everyday routine. It has become as essential as a physical wallet—ginagamit natin araw-araw for everything from buying load to paying your burger sa Jolibee or Mcdonalds. But the platform is rapidly evolving beyond just simple payments. It is becoming a critical lifeline for entrepreneurs lalo na sa MSME’s. In a landmark move that underscores this shift, the app’s lending arm has secured a massive infusion of capital, effectively transforming your digital wallet into a viable source of serious business funding.

If you have ever tried to get a business loan from a traditional bank, you know the struggle. They ask for 3 years of ITR, audited financial statements, a chaotic amount of paperwork, and sometimes even your house title as collateral.

Result? Most small business owners just say “wag na lang” or resort to the neighborhood “5-6” with very high or sometimes unfiar interest rates.

But something huge happened yesterday (Feb 6, 2026) that might change the game for your small negosyo.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB)—yes, the massive regional bank that usually funds highways and bridges—just signed a deal to loan ₱1.75 Billion ($30 Million) to Fuse Lending (the lending arm of GCash).

This is historic. It is the first time ever that ADB is partnering directly with a fintech company in the entire ASEAN region.

Here is the “Real Talk” on what this money is for and how you can get a slice of it.

1. Who is the Money For? (The “Target Market”)

ADB didn’t just give this money for random shopping sprees. It has a specific mission: To fight poverty and help MSMEs.

They have strict targets for where this ₱1.75 Billion should go:

• Women Entrepreneurs: A massive chunk (60%) of the funds is specifically allocated for women-led businesses. So if you are a “Mompreneur” selling baked goods or running a carinderia, you are front of the line.
• The “Unbanked”: They are targeting people in provinces with high poverty rates who have never stepped foot inside a BDO or BPI branch.
• MSMEs: The micro, small, and medium enterprises that make up 99% of our economy but get 0% of the love from big banks.

2. No Collateral? No Problem.

This is the best part. Because this is coursed through GCash/Fuse, you don’t need to surrender your land title.

Instead of collateral, they use your GScore.

• Do you pay your bills on time via the app?
• Do you have regular cash flow in your wallet?
• Do you use GSave?

The higher your GScore, the higher your loan limit. It’s “trust-based” lending powered by AI, not “asset-based” lending powered by paperwork.

3. More Than Just Cash (The “Technical” Part)

Aside from the billions in loan money, ADB is also throwing in $125,000 for “Technical Assistance.”

In plain English: They are funding financial literacy programs. Expect to see more free webinars, workshops, and training sessions on the GCash app specifically designed to teach you how to manage debt, compute profit margins, and grow your business sustainably.

The Bottom Line

This partnership confirms one thing: Digital Lending is the future. Even the strict, formal Asian Development Bank realizes that the only way to help the Filipino masa is through the app they already use every day.

If you are a small business owner, now is the time to:

1. Use your GCash for business transactions (to boost that GScore).
2. Clean up your payment history (pay your GCredit/GLoan on time!).
3. Watch out for new loan offers popping up in your Fuse or GLoan dashboard.

The money is there. You just need to be “credit-ready” to catch it.

Hi, I’m Oli. I read the fine print so you don’t have to. Liked the article? Comment or share it with a friend!