FROM QR PAYMENTS TO CREDIT: Maya Introduces Paleng-Kita for Market Vendors and Drivers

Maya, the Philippines’ leading digital bank and fintech ecosystem, is taking the next step in supporting micro and small business owners by launching Paleng-Kita—a new credit program designed for market vendors and public transport drivers.

Built on the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-led Paleng-QR Ph initiative, Paleng-Kita enables micro-entrepreneurs to access collateral-free credit by regularly using QR Ph and the Maya app for their daily transactions. This innovation links digital payments to responsible credit access, giving small businesses the financial tools to grow.

“Many small vendors and transport drivers have never had access to formal credit,” said Shailesh Baidwan, Maya Group President and Maya Bank Co-Founder. “By using their cashless payment history, we can offer them fair, transparent credit and help them build a stronger financial future.”

From Cashless to Credit  

Under Paleng-QR Ph, the BSP, the DILG, local governments, and financial service providers work to onboard market vendors and drivers onto QR Ph, the national interoperable QR standard for person-to-merchant payments.

Registering to Maya QR allows merchants to build the transaction history required to qualify for Paleng-Kita through Maya Advance. Credit decisions are powered by Maya’s proprietary AI-driven scoring system, which evaluates payment transactions and other alternative data points—without relying on collateral, paperwork, or traditional credit histories.

Approved borrowers can access credit lines starting at ₱3,000 through the Maya Advance product. The process is fast, fully digital, and designed to be accessible for everyday entrepreneurs.

Unlocking Credit for the Underserved 

Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) make up 99% of all businesses in the Philippines, according to the Department of Trade and Industry. Yet, only about 4% of the country’s total bank loans are allocated to this sector, underscoring the persistent barriers to credit access.

Maya’s Paleng-Kita aims to change that by giving small entrepreneurs a chance to prove their creditworthiness through their actual business activity.

“Market vendors and transport cooperatives are vital to our local economies,” said Baidwan. “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.”

Real Impact on the Ground 

At Cadiz City Public Market, fish vendor Jovelyn Abordo secured her first formal loan after adopting QR Ph payments through Maya. “Satisfied po ako. Magaan ang pera sa Maya,” Jovelyn said. “Ginamit ko ito sa aming business.” (I’m satisfied. Access to money is easy with Maya. I used the credit for our business.)

Jocelyn Solivio, also from Cadiz Public Market, recently re-loaned through the platform. “Mas madali ang Maya,” she shared. “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.)

Their experiences reflect how digital credit is opening new financial opportunities for micro and small entrepreneurs often excluded from traditional banking.

Building a Broader Ecosystem for MSMEs 

Maya’s integration of payments and smart lending is part of a broader strategy to expand MSME participation in the formal economy. By embedding credit access into QR Ph adoption, Maya supports not only BSP’s digitalization agenda but also the country’s larger financial inclusion 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.”