Money20/20 Asia, recently held in Bangkok, Thailand, brought together leaders across fintech, payments, and financial services in the Asia-Pacific region to explore the future of financial innovation.
At the event, Tala Philippines President and General Manager Moritz Gastl shared insights during a panel titled “Winning the SME Lending Market with Real-Time Data,” where industry leaders discussed how real-time infrastructure, alternative data, and embedded finance are transforming SME lending.
The conversation focused on how these innovations are reshaping credit assessment, enabling more personalized lending experiences, and expanding access to capital for small businesses.
Powering MSME growth in the Philippines
In the Philippines, MSMEs remain the backbone of the economy. Tala currently serves 4.5 million customers, with around a quarter using their loans for business purposes. Notably, nine out of ten customers report improved business outlook after taking a Tala loan.
“While our foundation is built on unsecured loans, we’ve recognized that many of our customers are micro-entrepreneurs using these funds as working capital,” said Gastl. “This has shaped our strategic focus on the MSME segment, where speed and accessibility are critical.”
He added that many customers often seek financing at the exact moment they need to make a business purchase, underscoring the importance of fast, seamless access to credit.
Smarter underwriting powered by real-time intelligence
Tala’s underwriting capabilities are powered by machine learning models trained on billions of data points built over 12 years of customer relationships across multiple markets.
This proprietary intelligence enables more accurate risk assessment, increasingly personalized credit offers, and continuously improving customer experiences with every interaction.
Expanding access through embedded finance
Gastl also shared Tala’s growing role as an embedded finance partner, extending its infrastructure and expertise to reach customers where they already are.
By integrating financial services into everyday digital ecosystems, Tala aims to broaden access to credit while staying true to its mission of empowering the global majority through financial inclusion.
For micro-entrepreneurs, this means financial services that fit seamlessly into their daily business operations, delivering access when and where it’s needed most.
Strengthening trust, safety, and financial inclusion
Beyond credit access, Tala is committed to building a safe and inclusive financial ecosystem where customers can thrive.
This includes 24/7 fraud monitoring powered by advanced AI and ML risk models, proactive collaboration with regulators and industry partners to detect fraud patterns, and strong advocacy for responsible lending and collections through its Debt with Dignity approach, anchored on fairness, respect, and customer empowerment.
Customer impact: real stories, real progress
Berla, a 34-year-old Tala customer from Baseco, Manila, used her loan to start a sari-sari store as an additional source of income.
Since 2021, she has valued the trust and opportunity Tala has extended to her.
“These days, it’s really not easy to find a job. I told myself if nobody will give me an opportunity, then I’ll create opportunities for myself. To those who want to start their own businesses, just trust yourself and give your best, you’ll never know unless you try,” she shared.
Gastl reflected on stories like Berla’s, emphasizing the broader impact of MSME access:
“The success of our customers reflects the power of expanding access to financial tools. Many micro-entrepreneurs remain excluded from the formal financial system due to lack of collateral and limited credit history,” he said. “We aim to be their partner in building and growing their businesses.”
Reimagining financial inclusion
Through its proprietary technology, data-driven underwriting, and responsible lending practices, Tala continues to redefine financial inclusion in the Philippines, helping entrepreneurs start, grow, and scale their businesses with confidence.