In these financially trying times, the need to borrow money is understandable. Many Filipinos apply for traditional loans from banks and government agencies but fail to meet stringent loan requirements. Because of this, they explore informal financing options like online loans to fund their urgent cash needs.
Legit online loans in the Philippines offer borrowers an excellent alternative to conventional loans from formal lenders. They fill in the gaps in terms of convenience, ease of application process, minimal requirements, and speed of approval. Most legit online lenders even release loan proceeds in as fast as 24 hours.
But are online loans the right choice? Before you borrow money online, familiarize yourself with how these loans work and what your online loan options are.
An online loan is a non-traditional loan from a private lender or a digital bank that operates over the internet. Companies that offer online lending in the Philippines generally process loan applications through their mobile app or website.
Traditional banks and government loan providers conduct credit checks to evaluate a borrower’s capacity to pay. On the other hand, online lenders usually don’t and just require a valid ID or proof of income.
It’s probably why, as per an analysis by consumer credit service Digido, digital lending platforms operating in the Philippines with iOS or Google Play applications had a combined total download of 14.2 million as of December 2022.[1]
From filling out an online loan application form to getting approved, legit online loans in the Philippines offer a more convenient form of borrowing. Loan proceeds are often released within 24 hours, and you can make repayments through the online lender’s partner banks and remittance centers.
However, note that the loan application procedure and requirements vary from one lender to another.
Are legit online loan apps in the Philippines a good option for those with financial emergencies? Keep reading to better understand the benefits and risks of online loans.
Online loans allow you to apply for a loan at any time of the day. Download the app or visit the website to start the loan application process. Online loans are a good choice for those who need money for an emergency.
Anyone with a valid government-issued ID can borrow from online loan apps. Just scan or take a photo of your ID. You may also need to take a selfie while holding your ID.
Some require a certificate of employment if you’re borrowing a considerable amount or getting an online loan with monthly payments in the Philippines.
You can start the loan application process with your smartphone or computer. No need to travel and visit a branch. Complete the online application form and upload photos of your valid IDs and other loan requirements.
Are you looking for legit online loans with guaranteed approval in the Philippines? Since online lenders usually don’t ask for too many application documents, it’s quicker to apply and easier to be approved for this type of loan.
A bank deposit account is generally not required for online loans. Some online lenders may ask for your nominated bank account, though. But more often than not, loan proceeds are disbursed through partner remittance centers.
Online loans are more expensive than traditional personal loans. Remember, online loans are unsecured loans that don’t require collateral or guarantors. They're backed only by your creditworthiness. The high interest rates can take a toll on your finances if you fail to pay on time.
Many short-term online loans are payable in only 30 days. You may opt for a longer loan term, but expect it to come with higher finance charges and interest rates.
Since online loans are processed without face-to-face interactions, there’s a possibility that you're dealing with a scammer instead of a lender’s authorized representative. Scammers can steal your identity through the information you provide during loan application.
Some online lenders conduct unfair debt collection practices like debt shaming, which may be punishable under the current law.[2] Some may even post your details online. These lenders resort to such tactics for unpaid online loans.
You might want to know: Are online loans safe?
Legitimate online loan providers are lending companies in the Philippines that are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Upon registration, the lender must comply with the Corporation Code,[3] the Lending Company Regulation Act,[4] and other laws regulating lending companies.
In case of non-compliance to lending regulations, violations of the Data Privacy Law, harassment, cyber libel, or other forms of unfair debt collection, legit online lenders will answer to the SEC and other relevant government agencies, which may lead to the revocation of their license plus penalties.
Minimize the risks associated with online loans by ensuring you deal only with an online lender duly licensed by the SEC.
We’ve compiled a list of the best online lending companies in the Philippines, meaning these providers are registered with the SEC as financing or lending companies. Check out the table below for an easy comparison of these legit online loans.
This online loan is offered by UNOBank, one of the first neobanks in the Philippines—its products and services are entirely online. As such, you need to just download the UNO Digital Bank mobile app to open accounts or apply for loans.
Unlike most online lenders, UNO Digital Bank Personal Loan offers a higher loan amount and a longer repayment period with no collateral or guarantors needed.
Read more: UNOBank Loan Review: Can This Digital Bank Meet Your Cash Needs?
Need a big loan amount to fund or expand a business? With a Radiowealth Finance Cash Loan, you can borrow up to ₱5 million. Note, however, that you need to submit a collateral.
To apply, simply head over to RFC’s website and click Apply Now.
This list of legit online lending apps wouldn’t be complete without Tala, one of the leading loan apps in the Philippines. Tala Philippines lets Filipinos borrow money quickly via its mobile app. Borrowers can expect approval in less than five minutes and receive funds within 24 hours after their Tala loan application.
One of the best online loan apps in the Philippines is the Zuki mobile app from SB Finance, Inc., in partnership with Security Bank and Krungsri. This legit online loan app allows you to sign up for a personal, car collateral, and motorcycle loan. It’s also one of the legit loan apps with low interest rates.
CIMB Bank provides legit online loans in the Philippines. With its all-digital loan application, you can complete your application in minutes and receive the funds directly via your CIMB account. All you need is a valid ID and your latest payslip.
ACOM Consumer Finance Corporation is Japan's leading personal loan provider and was launched in the Philippines in 2017. With this ACOM loan, you can borrow an additional amount within the repayment period as long as it’s within the credit limit. Your credit limit can also be increased depending on the evaluation.
AEON Credit Service (Philippines) Inc. is another loan provider that can help with your instant cash needs. Established in 2013 in the Philippines, it’s more well-known for its installment loans for purchasing furniture, appliances, and electronic products. But it also offers an online personal loan via its mobile app for existing customers with an AEON Retention Code.
Asialink Finance Corporation is a private lending company that offers a variety of collateral loans to suit different needs, such as Sangla OR/CR, Vehicle Financing (brand-new or secondhand), and Doctor's Loan.
One of the best things about this lender is that it does not require borrowers to surrender their cars. Plus, they still accept 2005 car year models and above!
Read more: Asialink Loan Review: Read This Before You Submit Your Application
Atome is an online lending platform registered with the SEC as NeuronCredit Financing Company, Inc., a Singapore-based fintech firm that established its Philippine operations in late 2018.
Atome is known for its Buy Now, Pay Later feature, which you can use to shop in-store and online and pay in three interest-free installments. You can download the Atome loan app in the Philippines on iOS and Android.
Blend PH lets you apply for various loans worth up to ₱2 million through its website. It facilitates a hassle-free online application and quick approval and loan processing.
Cash Mart Philippines is one of the better-known online lenders today, coming from a leading moneylender in Singapore. Its online loan products include personal, salary, car, and OFW loans.
Check out the Cashalo Cash Loan if you’re looking for fast and convenient access to digital credit. Download the Cashalo app on your mobile device, complete the online form, and await your loan approval. There's no collateral required, and you can receive your loan proceeds in one to three days.
Is Digido legit or not? Don’t worry—it’s a legit online lender in the Philippines with a highly innovative and fully automated online portal. Borrowers can receive their loan proceeds in just a few hours. You can even get a first loan at 0% interest for a seven-day term.
Read more: Digido Loan Review: How Reliable is This Online Lending Platform?
Esquire Financing, Inc. is a financing company that provides no-collateral business loans to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Philippines. It allows entrepreneurs to borrow money to increase work capital, grow businesses, or bridge cash flow gaps.
Finbro is a popular online lending platform that promises an easy application process. You just need to submit a few requirements, after which you can get approved within a few minutes! No need to worry about securing collateral, either.
It's handy if you just need a small amount of cash quickly, perhaps for paying bills, groceries, tuition fees, and other emergency expenses.
Read more: Finbro Loan Review: Things to Know Before You Borrow Money
First Circle is an SEC-registered financing company under First Circle Growth Finance Corp. It focuses on providing non-collateral credit lines to B2B companies or businesses that serve other businesses or government agencies. Borrowers can receive funds in their accounts within five business days.
Global Dominion Financing, Inc. (GDFI) is an SEC-licensed financing company offering a wide range of online loans, such as OR/CR, car financing, truck financing, doctor's loan, and sangla titulo for business owners. Loan requirements are minimal, and processing takes only 24 hours.
You can see the GLoan option in your GCash account if you're a prequalified user. Once you activate your GLoan feature, you can instantly borrow up to ₱125,000 with no additional documents. The funds will also be instantly credited to your GCash wallet.
To unlock GLoan, increase your GScore by always keeping your GCash wallet funded and using GCash more often.
Home Credit is quite popular in the country for its product loan, which provides in-store financing services for appliance or gadget purchases. The SEC-registered financing company (under the corporate name HC Consumer Finance Philippines, Inc.) also offers a cash loan—one of the most straightforward online loans to get in the Philippines—through the My Home Credit app.
If you’re looking for legit loan apps in the Philippines, you must submit only two valid IDs via the Home Credit app.
Another fintech platform in the Philippines offering fast and hassle-free access to credit is JuanHand. With over 24 million app downloads and more than 4 million successful loans, it's one of the leading and legit online providers you can check out for cash emergencies.
If you frequently use your upgraded Maya wallet for bill payments and fund transfers, you might just be one of the select users to be given early access to the Maya Personal Loan. You should see the Loans tab on your app if you’re eligible.
Apply via the app in just a few taps.
Is payday still days away? If you’re looking for a quick, hassle-free loan to help pay for minor cash needs or emergencies, a good option is a Moneycat loan. This online payday loan requires only a short application, verification, and approval process. The money will be transferred to your bank account within a day.
Established in 2017, Online Loans Pilipinas Financing, Inc. specializes in online micro and consumer financing. Is Online Loans Pilipinas legit? Yes, it’s an SEC-registered fintech company, so you can rest assured you’re dealing with a legitimate loan provider.
Loan processing takes one to two days, and you can receive your loan proceeds within 24 hours in your bank account.
Read more: Online Loans Pilipinas Review: Pros, Cons, and How to Apply
Are you a frequent Shopee user? Check out SLoan, a credit line extended to select Shopee users that allows you to conveniently obtain a cash loan online.
Withdraw a minimum of ₱2,500 up to the maximum amount of your approved credit limit. You can withdraw it to your Shopeepay wallet or other e-wallets and bank accounts via fund transfer.
If you feel uncertain about your chances of loan approval because you don't have a credit history yet, don't fret. Tonik offers a personal loan called―you guessed it―Credit Builder. Keep using the Tonik app for transactions and top up your savings to be eligible for Credit Builder.
Vidalia Lending Corp. has provided salary, personal, and business loans since 2008. It works as a peer-to-peer platform where funds come from investors and not directly from the company itself. Vidalia conducts credit evaluation via a phone call with the borrower and disburses funds within two to five days.
Its products include the Salary Loan, Personal Loan, Business Loan, e-Commerce Loan, and Small Business Loan.
An online lending scam is usually committed by individuals falsely representing a legit online lender. Scammers typically offer an easy borrowing experience by asking for money first and stealing your personal information.
Make sure to keep these tips in mind:
If you fall victim to any company engaged in illegal online lending, you may file a complaint against the erring lender through the SEC.
The SEC accommodates only complaints against lending companies with Certificates of Authority to Operate (CA).[5] If you have a complaint against a company without a CA, you may email the Enforcement and Investor Protection Department at epd@sec.gov.ph.
Some things to remember when filing your complaint with the SEC:
In case of financial emergencies, online loans in the Philippines provide an easy solution. They offer an easy application and fast approval process and require fewer documents. If you understand how they work and feel you’re responsible enough to pay your loans on time, online lending apps may be the perfect solution.
Once you come up with a shortlist of legit online loans in the Philippines, compare them to find the lowest rate and most favorable terms. It also helps to read the terms and conditions and loan agreement thoroughly. This way, you’ll know if there are any hidden charges before you apply for an online loan.
No need to look far when you're searching for online loans. Here at Moneymax, it's easy to compare loans, find the right product, and apply for it.
Check out more great options from reputable lenders in the Philippines:
Sources:
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