Creador, a private equity firm in Southeast Asia, has made a strategic investment of PHP4 billion (US$ 71.2 million) in Asialink Finance Corp., an online lending firm to the Philippine small and medium enterprise (SME) sector.

This investment grants Creador an 18% stake in Asialink, alongside a seat on its board of directors. This partnership is poised to catalyse Asialink’s expansion efforts, enhancing its capacity to support SMEs by not only increasing its lending capabilities but also by improving operational efficiencies.

Creador’s contribution will extend beyond financial investment, aiming to bolster Asialink’s growth through the introduction of international banking partnerships and leveraging its extensive experience in investing in non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) to drive business innovation and digital transformation.

Omar Mahmoud, Managing Director and Country Head of Philippines at Creador, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating,

“Creador is delighted to partner with the Asialink Group, the leading provider of secured vehicle loans to SMEs in the country. With our investment, hard-working business owners will gain access to the financial system as the company expands geographically, launches new products and leverages data to digitalize its services.”

 

Echoing the sentiment of a strengthened economic framework, Robert Jordan Jr., CEO of Asialink, remarked on the significance of the partnership:

“With Creador, Asialink is primed for further growth to help the largely unbanked part of the business community. This partnership is envisioned to strengthen the SMEs and make them a major contributor to economic growth just like in other developed economies.”

The collaboration between Asialink and Creador signifies a shared dedication to driving forward the company’s trajectory towards enhanced growth and market leadership. The transaction was facilitated with Paulton & Co. serving as Asialink’s financial advisor and Gorricetta as legal advisor to Creador, marking a new milestone in the Asialink journey towards SME economic advancement in the country.