WINNING | Salmon builds on trust to widen credit access

Insider Spotlight

• Salmon Finance is strengthening its position in responsible lending as it expands consumer credit services in the Philippines
• The company earned a globally recognized client protection certification, underscoring its focus on transparency and customer welfare
• The recognition places Salmon among a select group of Philippine financial institutions meeting international client protection standards
  
  
  

Salmon Finance is putting consumer trust at the center of its growth strategy, arguing that sustainable financial inclusion depends not only on expanding credit access but also on ensuring borrowers are treated fairly throughout the lending journey.

That approach recently earned the company a Client Protection Certification at the Silver level under the Cerise+SPTF Client Protection Standards, following an independent assessment by MicroFinanza Rating (MFR), an Italy-headquartered rating agency recognized by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for microfinance institutions.

The big picture

As digital lending gains traction across the Philippines, financial institutions face growing pressure to demonstrate that rapid growth can coexist with strong consumer safeguards. Salmon’s certification highlights increasing industry attention on transparency, fair treatment, and responsible lending practices.

To achieve the certification, Salmon underwent an evaluation covering key areas of client protection, including pricing transparency, customer communication, complaint resolution, and collection practices. 

The company said the process validates its efforts to provide clear product information, secure transactions, anti-fraud protections, and responsive customer support.

What they're saying

“This certification reflects something deeper than compliance,” chief compliance Officer of Salmon Group Eunice Monsod said in a press statement. 

“It validates that client protection is embedded in how we operate at Salmon, not simply a requirement, but as a principle,” Monsod added.

“For us, financial inclusion doesn’t end with access alone, it means delivering services that create real, positive impact in the lives of Filipinos. This certification affirms that Salmon is helping lead the way toward extending meaningful inclusion, one that uplifts the lives of the people we serve,” she added.

By the numbers

Fewer than 100 financial institutions worldwide currently hold a Client Protection Certification, according to Cerise+SPTF. Salmon is one of only six active certified financial institutions in the Philippines.

What's next

Cerise+SPTF also cited Salmon Finance as one of the first adopters of its Digital Financial Services Standards, a framework designed to address the unique risks of digital finance. As the company scales its lending operations, it aims to demonstrate that growth, innovation, and client protection can advance together. —Vanessa Hidalgo| Ed: Corrie S. Narisma