Yet access to formal credit remains a persistent barrier: most small businesses lack the documented financial track record that banks, lenders, and commercial partners require to extend credit and transact with confidence. Know who you’re working with — before you signAt its core, SME Trust will give every Philippine MSME a verified business profile — a structured, data-backed record that businesses and lenders can rely on. It will ensure that businesses in rural communities enjoy the same digital visibility as those in urban centers. SME Trust changes that: a verifiable business identity, a pathway to formal credit, and a foundation towards building a more inclusive, data-driven financial ecosystem in the Philippines. Our partnership with DTI, starting with this MOU, marks the beginning of that transformation,” said Michelle Anne Chan, Country Manager, ADVANCE.CBP.