Small Business (SB) Corp., the financing arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), is on track to surpass its record-high revenues of ₱1 billion by as much as 20 percent this year.

In a statement, SB Corp. said it expects revenues for the year to reach ₱1.2 billion, an improvement from the ₱1 billion record set in 2024.

After mounting losses during the Covid-19 pandemic, SB Corp. secured an impressive turnaround last year, almost tripling its pre-pandemic performance of ₱358.5 million.

In addition, its net operating income rose by a whopping 89 percent to ₱431.1 million last year from ₱228.6 million in 2019.

SB Corp. president and chief executive officer Robert Bastillo said the government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) has continued the strong momentum into this year through reforms aimed at making financing more accessible and responsive.

“Our commitment is clear. We want smarter systems, faster turnaround times, and financing that is within reach of the underserved,” said Bastillo.

SB Corp. has launched a number of reforms this year, including a mobile application and the adoption of an expected credit loss framework, to further expand its reach to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

As of Dec. 9, SB Corp. has already provided financial assistance to 66,803 MSMEs and released more than ₱11 billion in loans.

Total disbursements for the year are projected to hit ₱12.1 billion, around 15 percent more than last year’s total.

“SB Corp. is ready to bridge the MSME credit gap and champion entrepreneurs who only need a fair chance to succeed,” Bastillo said.

This year, SB Corp. has increased its loan ceilings to offer non-collateralized loans of up to ₱20 million and maximum financing of up to ₱50 million, as well as zero-percent loans under special financing programs, to enable MSMEs to take the next step in their business.

The state-run firm earlier expanded its reach to disaster-affected areas through the enterprise rehabilitation financing program, which has distributed ₱495 million in emergency capital to 2,693 businesses.

Through roadshows across the country, it also granted same-day loan approvals totaling ₱139 million to 794 businesses, the majority of which are in remote communities.

SB Corp. chair and DTI Secretary Cristina Roque said the state-run firm’s achievements this year are indicative of its improved governance, stronger lending programs, and a more strategic development approach.

“SB Corp.’s performance shows what good governance can deliver for the country. When our financial institutions operate with discipline, transparency, and purpose, more Filipino enterprises gain the support they need to grow,” said Roque.

For the second straight year, SB Corp. ranked third in the Governance Commission for GOCCs’ (GCG) annual corporate governance scorecard.

The GCG’s scorecard assesses the corporate governance performance of GOCCs by evaluating their policies and practices regarding stakeholder relationships, disclosure and transparency, and board responsibilities.

With continued improvement in governance, Bastillo expects demand for MSME financing to remain strong in the coming year.