Source: https://fintech.ph/listing/first-circle

F

# First Circle

Smart banking solutions and business loans

[Lending](https://fintech.ph/category/lending) [SME Financing](https://fintech.ph/category/sme-financing)

[Visit website](https://www.firstcircle.ph/)

- **Founded**: 2016
- **Headquarters**: Taguig City, Philippines
- **Stage**: Growth
- **Total raised**: US$33M. From recorded rounds
- **Licences**: 1. BSP, SEC

## Overview

First Circle provides SME financing and business banking solutions in the Philippines. First Circle Growth Finance Corp. is an SEC-regulated financing company; banking services are provided by partner bank Netbank. Products include credit lines, loans and business accounts. It reported about PHP25B disbursed since 2018 in its July 2026 partnership update. IFC announced a US$7M equity contribution in October 2024 alongside other investors, without disclosing the whole-round amount. A proposed securitization package of up to US$110M remained Pending Signing in IFC’s October 4, 2026 disclosure and is excluded from funding raised.

### Mission

We're building a new financial meritocracy for Filipino businesses and setting the pace for Southeast Asia.

### Products

- Business Banking
- Express Business Loan
- Business Credit Line
- Business Credit Plus
- Smart Salary Loans
- Solar Financing

### Serves

SMEs Businesses Entrepreneurs

## Funding and ownership

Total raised

US$33M

Sum of recorded funding rounds

Stage

Growth

Parent organisation: Carabao Capital Global Pte. Ltd.

### Investors and shareholders

International Finance Corporation (IFC) Accion Insignia Ventures Partners Venturra Capital Koru Partners Fasanara Capital Endeavor Catalyst

Figures are calculated from the funding rounds recorded for this company.

## People

- Patrick Lynch CEO & Co-founder
- Chris Burgess Chief Investments Officer
- Tony Ennis Co-founder & ex-CTO
- Jorrit Koop Co-founder & ex-CFO

## Licences and certifications

- First Circle is a financing company regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. It does not engage in banking services and it is not regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Services will be provided by Netbank (A Rural Bank), Inc. and Farmbank Inc. (A Rural Bank) which are banks regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

## Awards and recognition

- SME Digital Innovation of the Year - Philippines 2024 by Asian Banking and Finance Retail Banking Awards
- Most Outstanding Member 2024 by Credit Management Association of the Philippines, Inc
- High-Growth Companies Asia-Pacific 2023 by Financial Times
- High-Growth Companies Asia-Pacific 2022 & 2023 by Philippine Daily Inquirer

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## Contact and links

[firstcircle.ph](https://www.firstcircle.ph/)

- [x](https://x.com/firstcircleph)
- [youtube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCybmIxy2PIuImZ66CeOEHfw)
- [facebook](https://www.facebook.com/firstcircleph/)
- [linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/firstcircle/)
- [instagram](https://www.instagram.com/firstcircleph/)
- [messenger](https://www.messenger.com/login.php?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.messenger.com%2Ft%2Ffirstcircleph)

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[More in Lending](https://fintech.ph/category/lending)

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From fintech.ph, an independent directory of fintech companies in the Philippines, as of October 27, 2026. Please link to https://fintech.ph/listing/first-circle when citing this page.