Cashalo

Cashalo operates as a financial technology company in the Philippines, strategically focused on expanding financial inclusion for the nation's underserved and underbanked population. Established in 2017 by Patrick Zulueta, the firm was launched as a joint venture between the Philippine conglomerate JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Oriente, a Hong Kong-based technology and financial services company co-founded by Geoffrey Prentice of Skype fame. On April 9, 2024, Cashalo was acquired by Empower, a U.S.-based fintech company, marking a new phase of growth and its first anniversary under the new parent company in mid-2025.

The company's core business revolves around providing digital credit through its mobile application. This platform utilizes alternative data points and proprietary technology, including AI and machine learning, for real-time credit scoring, enabling rapid loan approvals, sometimes in as little as 10 minutes. The business model generates revenue through interest and service fees on its loan products. Cashalo serves a broad consumer base, particularly targeting millions of Filipinos without access to traditional banking and credit facilities, alongside micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). By offering a digital-first approach, the company addresses a significant market gap in a country with high mobile penetration but low credit card usage. Additionally, Cashalo partners with a network of over 1,000 merchants, providing them with payment solutions that can lead to increased sales conversion.

Cashalo's product suite is designed to be accessible and paperless, requiring no collateral. Key offerings include small cash loans, with amounts up to ₱11,000, which can be disbursed directly to a user's bank account or e-wallet. Another significant product is its "Buy Now, Pay Later" (BNPL) service, marketed as 'Shop In Stores' and previously as 'Cashacart'. This offline-to-online (O2O) solution allows consumers to make purchases at partner retail stores and pay in installments, often at 0% interest. The company has also integrated its payment solutions with e-commerce and service platforms, such as Lazada for wallet top-ups and Cebu Pacific for a "fly now, pay later" scheme, broadening the utility of its digital credit.

Keywords: digital lending, financial inclusion, fintech Philippines, buy now pay later, consumer finance, MSME financing, mobile loans, online credit, alternative credit scoring, O2O financing, personal loans, retail financing, e-commerce payment, financial services, Oriente, Empower Finance, JG Summit, micro-lending, mobile payment, digital credit