Maya Introduces Paleng-Kita: Empowering Small Vendors and Drivers

Maya Introduces Paleng-Kita: Empowering Small Vendors and Drivers

Digital Payments Unlocking Credit for Everyday Entrepreneurs

Manila, Philippines – May 9, 2025 – Maya, the country’s leading digital bank and fintech ecosystem, is taking a bold step toward financial inclusion with the launch of Paleng-Kita. Designed specifically for market vendors and public transport drivers, this credit program offers a collateral-free financial solution based on digital payment activity.

In partnership with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Paleng-Kita aligns with the Paleng-QR Ph initiative, a national effort to onboard micro-entrepreneurs onto digital payment platforms.

Through this innovative credit program, small business owners can now build their financial profiles simply by using QR Ph and the Maya app—removing traditional barriers to credit and giving them access to financial resources that would otherwise be out of reach.

From Cashless Transactions to Credit Access

Under Paleng-QR Ph, BSP and DILG work with local governments and financial service providers to integrate market vendors and transport drivers into the QR Ph payment system, the national interoperable QR standard for person-to-merchant payments.

By registering for Maya QR, vendors and drivers generate transaction histories, which qualify them for Paleng-Kita loans through Maya Advance.

What makes this system different?

• AI-driven credit scoring – Maya’s proprietary AI system evaluates payment transactions and alternative data points, eliminating the need for collateral, paperwork, or traditional credit histories.
• Fast and fully digital loan processing – Borrowers can access credit lines starting at ₱3,000, ensuring quick financial support when needed.

This approach to lending prioritizes real business activity over traditional financial credentials, making credit accessible to entrepreneurs who have been left out of the system for years.

Unlocking Credit for the Underserved

The numbers speak for themselves:

• 99% of businesses in the Philippines are classified as Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), according to the Department of Trade and Industry.
• Yet, only 4% of total bank loans are allocated to this sector, highlighting the significant gap in financial access.

Maya’s Paleng-Kita program is built to bridge that gap—allowing vendors and transport cooperatives to prove their creditworthiness simply by conducting their daily transactions digitally.

“Market vendors and transport cooperatives are vital to our local economies,” said Shailesh Baidwan, Maya Group President and Maya Bank Co-Founder. “They deserve financial solutions that are simple, fair, and designed around how they live and work. Digital transactions, including QR Ph, provide a credible, scalable way to extend credit responsibly.”

This marks a transformative step toward empowering micro-entrepreneurs, proving that financial tools should be accessible to all—not just those with traditional banking histories.

Real Impact on the Ground

Maya’s digital lending model is already making a difference, as seen in Cadiz City Public Market.

• Fish vendor Jovelyn Abordo secured her first formal loan through Maya after adopting QR Ph payments:
  • “Satisfied po ako. Magaan ang pera sa Maya. Ginamit ko ito sa aming business.” (I’m satisfied. Access to money is easy with Maya. I used the credit for our business.)
  • Market vendor Jocelyn Solivio re-loaned using the platform:
• “Mas madali ang Maya. Ginamit ko po sa pag-loan para ma-continue ‘yung business ko.” (It’s easier with Maya. I used the loan to continue my business.)

These stories reflect the power of digital credit, providing financial access to entrepreneurs who have long been excluded from traditional banking.

Building a Broader Ecosystem for MSMEs

Maya Introduces Paleng-Kita: Empowering vendors. Maya’s integration of payments and lending is part of a larger vision to support MSME participation in the formal economy.

By linking credit access with QR Ph adoption, Maya is not only driving financial inclusion but also supporting:

• BSP’s digitalization agenda
• Local government economic growth
• The country’s long-term financial empowerment goals

“We’re not just offering credit—we’re recognizing the real work of vendors and drivers who keep the economy going,” said Renan Santiago, Head of MSME Business at Maya. “By using their digital payment activity, we’re making finance more accessible, more relevant, and more empowering for everyday Filipinos.”

With smart lending models that prioritize actual business transactions, Maya is setting a new standard for financial empowerment—making it easier for everyday entrepreneurs to thrive.