Building Credit Confidence for Filipinos

For many Filipino families, the word “utang” carries a mix of hope and hesitation. It can mean a chance to start a small business or pay for a child’s tuition, but it can also bring fears of scams, high interest rates, and unending debt. According to TransUnion’s 2025 Credit Perception Index, the Philippines scored 73 out of 100, indicating that while caution remains, trust in credit is gradually increasing.

Filipinos today are becoming more financially aware and optimistic about what responsible borrowing can unlock. And behind every lending platform are real people working to make borrowing easier, safer, and more transparent.

Addressing Trust Through People, Not Just Platforms

At JuanHand, employees play a central role in building that trust. Take Maria Terrado, who started her career in banking and is now a Collection Assistant Manager. For the past six years, she has been guiding borrowers through financial challenges while advancing her own career.

“JuanHand has been instrumental in helping me discover new aspects of my work and fostering my career growth,” Maria shares.

For her, collections is not just about payments. It is about treating every customer with fairness and respect, while ensuring compliance with regulations. “Knowing that my work helps people avoid abusive loan sharks and access safer, more transparent options is deeply fulfilling. It’s rewarding to see the positive impact on their lives,” she adds.

By upholding fairness as a guiding principle, Maria and her team help borrowers stay on track financially while keeping access to safe and practical solutions they need to move forward.

Communicating Credit Responsibly

The TransUnion report also revealed that Filipinos are more cautious about credit messaging despite improved trust scores. This highlights the need for clear and transparent communication.

For Mark Baetiong, a Senior Brand Expert at JuanHand, his work is all about bridging that gap. “Branding shapes perception. By building credibility and relatability, our work helps more Filipinos feel confident exploring financial solutions they might otherwise avoid, opening doors to greater financial inclusion.”

Since joining JuanHand, his perspective on credit has changed. He now sees loans as a tool for empowerment rather than a burden, as long as they are used responsibly. This shift guides his work, where he focuses on clarity over gloss, making sure campaigns feel like conversations with Filipinos. For Mark, every project is an opportunity to build confidence and highlight credit as a tool for growth and advancement.

Guarding Against Fraud at the System Level

Trust in credit also relies on strong safeguards. Preventing fraud goes beyond compliance. It requires vigilance, consistency, and reliable systems that protect borrowers at every step.

For Jeffry Pascua, Business Support Manager for Quality Assurance and Testing, his journey began with the desire to explore new opportunities and see how his skills could make a difference. That motivation grew into a career milestone as he helped establish lasting processes that continue to strengthen JuanHand’s collections operations today.

“By continuously enforcing our operational standards, we ensure services are delivered with integrity and reliability, while also educating clients on financial literacy,” Jeffry shares. For him, the valid reward is knowing that these safeguards not only protect the company. They empower Filipinos with the confidence that their financial journey is secure.

People Powering Progress

While trust in credit is slowly improving, meaningful adoption relies on fairness, transparency, and protection. At JuanHand, this goes beyond technology. It is the people who make the real difference.

For Maria, Mark, and Jeffry, their dedication to financial inclusion transforms work into purpose. Together, they embody what JuanHand calls “Every Juan”—Filipinos helping fellow Filipinos move forward in their financial journeys with confidence. Their work demonstrates that progress is not only about platforms, but also about people who genuinely care.