The agreement adds PBCOM to Billease's growing network of local banking partners, which includes Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) and Philippine National Bank (PNB).
The facility is expected to support Billease's consumer lending operations, particularly for borrowers with limited or no formal credit histories.
Why it matters
The partnership reflects growing collaboration between traditional banks and financial technology companies as they seek to expand access to consumer financing while managing lending risks.
For Billease, securing peso-denominated funding from Philippine banks provides additional capital to support its loan portfolio while reducing reliance on international financing.
The agreement was signed in Manila by Billease co-founder and CEO Georg Steiger and PBCOM president and CEO John Cary Ong.
Secured lending
Under the arrangement, PBCOM's credit facility is secured by a pool of Billease consumer loans registered through the Philippines' Personal Property Security Registry.
The loan pool is overcollateralized and maintained with performing loans, giving PBCOM a first-ranking claim over a diversified portfolio of consumer receivables.
This structure allows the bank to finance consumer lending without directly originating and servicing millions of small, short-term loans.
Billease handles loan origination, credit assessment, underwriting and collections, including for borrowers with limited credit histories.
Growing collaboration
Billease chief financial officer Garret Go said banks and fintech lenders are increasingly becoming partners rather than competitors.
"A few years ago, banks and fintech lenders were mostly seen as competitors. That is changing. Banks have the capital and want retail exposure, and we have the origination, underwriting and collections to deploy it responsibly," Go said.
He said Billease's audited financial results and loan performance records have helped establish the credibility needed to secure financing from traditional banks.
Ong said the partnership would allow PBCOM to expand its support for underserved consumers while maintaining prudent lending standards.
Financial performance
Billease reported revenue growth of more than 80 percent to P8.7 billion in 2025, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization reached about P1.2 billion.
Net profit stood at P782 million, marking the company's third consecutive year of profitability.
Its gross loan portfolio expanded by more than 77 percent to some P12.5 billion.
As of Dec. 31, 2025, Billease reported total equity of about P6.4 billion against borrowings of P7.1 billion, representing a debt-to-equity ratio of about 1.1 times.
The company said its financial position provides room to secure additional domestic financing as it expands its lending operations.
Supporting merchants
Beyond consumer lending, Billease is expanding its merchant financing ecosystem through Billease Deals, which allows businesses to offer installment payment options to preapproved customers.
The platform charges no listing fees, commissions or payment markups, enabling participating merchants to offer zero-down-payment and zero-interest promotions.
Billease said the arrangement could help businesses sustain sales while giving budget-conscious consumers greater payment flexibility.
Funding strategy
Steiger said partnerships with established banks would strengthen Billease's funding resilience and support its long-term growth.
"Each bank that comes on board makes our funding broader and more resilient," he said. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
