(File photo)
MANILA – Filipinos' credit perception index (CPI) score remained broadly stable this year, supported by a strong foundational understanding of credit and a modest improvement in trust toward credit products, information, and insights, company TransUnion Philippines said.
In a report released Tuesday, TransUnion said the CPI score of the general population this year is almost unchanged at 73 out of 100 from last year's 74.
Launched in 2023, the CPI is an annual study aimed to better understand how Filipinos perceive and engage with credit.
The study conducted on March 27 to April 7 this year, surveyed 1,165 consumers to assess current attitudes and future openness to credit, examining their knowledge, trust, and favorability toward credit and other financial products.
For the general population, the study revealed that foundational knowledge of credit remains strong, with 69 percent reporting familiarity with the general concept of credit.
TransUnion also recorded an improvement in knowledge across various credit products including payday loans (54 percent from 46 percent in 2024), micro loans (53 percent from 46 percent), mortgages and house loans (63 percent from 58 percent), personal loans (74 percent from 70 percent), and mobile loans (66 percent from 62 percent).
For unbanked Filipinos, the CPI score improved to 67 this year from 65 last year.
There was also an increased understanding of key credit products, except for installment payments.
Notable gains in knowledge of mobile loans, payday loans, automotive loans, micro-loans, personal loans, and buy now pay later services was also recorded, suggesting a growing familiarity of formal credit options.
FinTech users meanwhile, recorded the highest CPI score of 74 and reported the strongest overall credit knowledge at 71 percent, outperforming the general population (69 percent) and the unbanked (56 percent).
"We are glad to see the CPI score holding largely steady in 2025, supported by growing trust in credit products. More encouragingly, this year's CPI results also tell us that Filipinos are eager to learn more about financial options that are relevant, accessible, and suited to their
needs," said TransUnion Philippines president and chief executive officer Peter Faulhaber.
"This increasing openness is a positive indicator of progress. As financial literacy deepens, we anticipate even greater familiarity, trust and responsible use of credit – key pillars in building a more inclusive and robust financial ecosystem in the Philippines," he added.
Despite gains in trust and openness, TransUnion said external factors continue to hold back Filipinos from actively using credit.
Across all three population groups surveyed—the general population, the unbanked and the financial technology (FinTech) users—high interest rates
emerged as the top deterrent to credit usage, cited by 59 percent, 52 percent, and 61 percent, respectively.
Concerns about scams and fraud followed closely, affecting 52 percent of the general population, 47 percent of the unbanked and 52 percent of FinTech users. (PNA)
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