GCash represents PH in the Mastercard Global Financial Health Coalition, showcasing fintech technology in the international arena
Leading financial app GCash brings its technology expertise as the only Philippine founding partner to the Mastercard Global Financial Health Coalition, a global network of industry innovators focused on improving financial health and sustainability.
Represented by GCash lending company, Fuse Financing, Inc., its president and CEO, Tony Isidro, shares his insights on how to improve financial inclusion at scale through technology.
This vision sets the stage for GCash’s participation in the Alliance, which aims to strengthen financial stability in emerging markets by connecting people with the right tools – using technology to protect and empower long-term financial practices. Other members of the Alliance include DANA, TrueMoney, MTN Group Fintech, Airtel Africa, MOCO, Axian, Daviplata, and the Center for Financial Inclusion.
“GCash has changed the way millions of Filipinos manage their money – bringing secure, digital financial services to everyday life. Through its lending arm, Fuse Financing, Inc., it has democratized lending in the Philippines, making credit affordable and accessible to millions, especially the underserved and underserved segments,” said Isidro.
“By joining this alliance, we aim to extend that impact beyond our borders, sharing our mobile-first innovation and insights to help strengthen financial stability in all emerging markets,” he added.
In addition to opening accounts
For Isidro, the industry must face a harsh reality: opening an account is not enough to improve financial well-being. Real progress depends on whether people trust financial tools, understand them and use them regularly. Technology is important in building these behaviors. It strengthens security, simplifies operations and enables users to control their financial decisions.
According to Isidro, however, many Filipinos remain outside the formal financial system despite the rapid increase in digital adoption in the country. This gap is reflected in a study conducted by Mastercard which shows that 49.8% of adults do not have a formal financial account. This limits access to savings, credit, and insurance that are key to long-term financial stability.
Fuse Financing has addressed this gap by offering simple, secure and accessible credit products through the GCash app. This accessibility has led to an increase in lending activity, reflecting a change in behavior as more users integrate borrowing into their daily financial routines. This pattern is consistent with Mastercard’s findings that intensive use of financial instruments is strongly associated with financial development.
The Philippines shows how fintech platforms can reach communities that traditional banks have not fully served. Mastercard’s analysis also shows that when digital and physical tools complement each other, people are more likely to form consistent financial habits. This reinforces the role of technology as a driver of trust and adoption.
Isidro, as mentioned, the alliance strengthens the opportunity to bring this method to many markets.
“We look forward to learning from other coalition members with diverse experiences and best practices that can help us further improve our solutions. Together, we can accelerate progress towards a truly inclusive digital economy,” he said.
As the Alliance moves forward, GCash’s knowledge and experience in driving acquisitions and responsible lending will contribute to a broader, regional effort to improve financial health. The goal is to create a digital economy where more people have the tools and confidence to thrive financially.
For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.
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