Cagayan de Oro, Philippines, September 1, 2026 – 1st Valley Bank has partnered with CRIF, a global leader in credit bureau, business information, analytics, and decisioning solutions, to strengthen its digital lending capabilities through the implementation of CRIF's Loan Origination Solution (LOS).
The partnership was formalized by Summer Wang, Multi-Country Sales Director at CRIF, together with Celeste Marie Lim, Chief Transformation Officer at 1st Valley Bank, and Vivian Lim, Chairperson of the Board of Directors at 1st Valley Bank.
This marks a significant milestone in 1st Valley Bank's transformation journey, supporting its efforts to modernize lending operations, enhance customer experiences, and accelerate responsible access to credit. By digitizing and streamlining the end-to-end lending process, the Bank aims to improve operational efficiency, strengthen credit decision-making, and deliver faster, more seamless services to borrowers.
"Our partnership with CRIF will support 1VB's goal of becoming a more modern, data-driven, and customer-focused regional bank," said Nicolette L. Gica, President and CEO of 1st Valley Bank. "By leveraging CRIF's analytics and risk management capabilities, we can strengthen our credit decision-making, improve borrower assessment, and enhance loan portfolio management."
The collaboration forms part of a broader strategic initiative between 1st Valley Bank and CRIF to strengthen the Bank's lending and risk management capabilities. Beyond the implementation of the Loan Origination Solution, the partnership also covers the development of an Expected Credit Loss (ECL) Methodology and a Credit Scoring System, creating a more integrated and data-driven approach to credit assessment and portfolio management.
Commenting on the impact of these initiatives, Annie Lisa G. Estrera, Chief Credit Officer of 1st Valley Bank, said: "The integration of the Loan Origination System and Credit Scoring System will enable faster, more efficient, and data-driven credit decisions, helping the Bank deliver better service to borrowers while maintaining sound credit risk practices. Ultimately, this partnership supports greater financial inclusion by providing qualified borrowers with access to financial services through a more objective, efficient, and inclusive lending process."
By combining the Bank's commitment to customer-focused banking with CRIF's global expertise in analytics, risk management, and decisioning solutions, the partnership is expected to strengthen the Bank's foundation for sustainable growth while expanding access to responsible financing.
More than a technology initiative, this collaboration reflects a shared vision to transform the lending experience through innovation, data-driven decision-making, and customer-centric service. Together, 1st Valley Bank and CRIF are paving the way for smarter lending, stronger financial resilience, and broader financial inclusion for the communities they serve.
About 1st Valley Bank
1st Valley Bank, Inc. (A Development Bank) is a trusted financial institution committed to supporting economic growth across Mindanao and the Visayas. Founded in 1956, the bank has grown from a grassroots rural lender into one of the country’s stable and progressive development banks. Through financial inclusion, customer-focused innovation, and a strong community presence, 1st Valley Bank remains committed to empowering communities and supporting sustainable growth in the regions it serves.