Manila, Philippines – Billease has injected ₱500m (US$8.16m) in fresh capital into its banking subsidiary, the Rural Bank of Sta. Maria – Ilocos Sur (RBSM), as part of its plans to expand beyond digital lending and launch a broader range of banking services.
The company said it has committed an additional ₱500m (US$8.16m) by the end of 2026, bringing the total planned capital infusion to ₱1b (US$16.3m). Once completed, the bank’s total capitalisation is expected to exceed ₱1b (US$16.3m).
According to Billease, the investment represents the next phase of its growth strategy, which focuses on building regulated banking services on top of its existing digital lending platform. The move also aligns with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) efforts to support the development of digi-centric rural banks.
Since acquiring RBSM, Billease said it has undertaken a transformation program that includes establishing governance committees, strengthening risk management and compliance processes, and upgrading the bank’s core systems and technology platforms in preparation for launching digital banking products.
The capital will be allocated toward three key areas: modernisation of the bank’s infrastructure to support digital-first banking operations, strengthening its capital base and governance framework in line with BSP standards, and developing new digital banking products, including savings and deposit offerings alongside existing lending services.
The investment comes as Billease continues to report growth in its lending business. On an audited consolidated basis, the company said revenue rose by more than 80% year-on-year to ₱9.3b (US$151m) in fiscal year 2025, while net profit reached ₱840m (US$13.7m), marking its third consecutive profitable year.
Billease also reported that its consumer loan portfolio grew by more than 75% year-on-year to approximately ₱11.9b (US$194m). The company said it currently adds more than 100,000 new customers each month and has disbursed a cumulative ₱130b (US$2.12b) in loans to date.
“We are deeply encouraged by this strong vote of confidence at a pivotal moment in our transformation,” said Dennis Valdes, President and CEO of Rural Bank of Sta. Maria – Ilocos Sur (RBSM). “We are in the midst of a comprehensive upgrade of our core systems as we prepare to launch our banking services. This capital provides the foundation to accelerate the rollout of new products that build on the Billease group’s promise of fast, safe and reliable financial access for millions more Filipinos.”
Georg Steiger, Co-Founder and CEO of Billease, said the company’s banking strategy is aimed at expanding the range of financial services available to its customers.
“We have built a strong, profitable digital lending business but our customers need more than credit,” said Steiger. “The bank gives us the foundation to serve them better, with savings, deposits and a fuller set of everyday financial services. We are investing deliberately in governance, systems and processes because a strong foundation is what allows us to scale responsibly. With the initial ₱500 million complete and the balance committed by year-end, we are fully on track with our roadmap.”
