ADB, Security Bank launch first Philippine supply-chain finance partnership
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has entered into a new partnership with Security Bank Corp. aimed at expanding access to supply-chain financing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Philippines.
In a statement on Tuesday, May 12, the ADB said it signed a risk participation agreement (RPA) with Security Bank, marking the first such agreement forged by the Manila-based multilateral lender with a Philippine bank.
Under the partnership, the ADB, through its Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program (TSCFP), will share and diversify credit exposure with Security Bank, enabling the lender to extend financing support to more local SME suppliers.
The arrangement is expected to help businesses receive earlier payments, improve cash-flow management, and strengthen operational stability within local and regional supply chains.
“This partnership demonstrates how the ADB’s collaboration with local financial institutions is helping address financing gaps faced by SMEs and build more resilient supply chains,” ADB country director for the Philippines Andrew Jeffries said.
“Together with Security Bank, we are creating a replicable model that can be expanded in the local market, helping SMEs across the country access the liquidity they need to grow and create jobs,” Jeffries added.
The ADB noted that Philippine SMEs often struggle to secure timely and affordable working capital despite having established trade relationships with larger buyers.
The RPA will allow Security Bank to expand financing support to more suppliers, helping local businesses remain competitive and generate more jobs nationwide.
The agreement was formally signed during a ceremony at the ADB’s headquarters in Mandakyong City by Steven Beck, director of the ADB’s trade and supply chain division, and John Cary Ong, Security Bank executive vice president and head for wholesale banking.
Backed by the ADB’s AAA credit rating, the TSCFP provides guarantees and loans through more than 200 partner banks to support trade and create import and export opportunities for businesses.
The ADB said the program has supported more than $74 billion in trade transactions since 2009, focusing on sectors that promote sustainable growth and regional integration.