Asialink secures P500 million loan from Cathay United Bank

MANILA, Philippines —  Asialink Finance Corp. has secured a P500-million sustainability-linked social facility from Cathay United Bank to expand financing for underserved sectors, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), rural borrowers, unbanked individuals and women-owned businesses.

The facility is expected to strengthen Asialink’s capacity to provide accessible financing in communities that remain outside the reach of traditional banking services, as the non-bank lender continues to position itself as a key player in inclusive finance.

Asialink said the fresh funding would support lending to MSMEs in rural areas, unbanked Filipinos and women-led enterprises, sectors it described as vital drivers of employment, local resilience and economic activity.

The company said the facility was structured as a sustainability-linked agreement, aligning its financing strategy with measurable social performance targets.

“This ensures that growth in lending is directly tied to real progress in financial inclusion and responsible financing,” Asialink said.

The transaction comes as MSMEs continue to face changing market conditions, making flexible and accessible funding more critical in helping small businesses sustain operations and pursue growth.

Asialink Finance is part of the Asialink Group of Companies, one of the country’s leading non-bank financial institutions. The group’s businesses include Asialink Finance, South Asialink Finance Corp. and Global Dominion Financing Inc., which provide lending products for entrepreneurs, businesses and individual borrowers nationwide.

Meanwhile, Asialink Group earlier announced leadership changes across Asialink Finance and Global Dominion as part of efforts to strengthen its organization amid continued growth.

Patricia Palacios, who served as president and CEO of Global Dominion for 21 years, has been named group deputy CEO of Asialink Group. She will work with group CEO Robert Jordan Jr. and fellow group deputy CEO Eillen Mangubat in aligning business units, improving operations and advancing the group’s long-term strategy.

During her stint at Global Dominion, Palacios helped grow the company into one of the country’s leading financing institutions, expanding its network to nearly 200 branches nationwide.

Samuel Cariño, formerly president and CEO of Asialink Finance, has been appointed president and CEO of Global Dominion. Cariño previously served as Global Dominion deputy chief operating officer for sales.

Ana Katrina Bañez, who was general manager for Asialink Finance’s Commercial and Consumer Loans division in Visayas and Mindanao, will succeed Cariño as president and CEO of Asialink Finance. Daisy Suba, general manager for the CCL Luzon division, will serve as deputy CEO.

Asialink said CCL Luzon accounted for 40 percent of the company’s total sales in 2025, while CCL Visayas and Mindanao contributed 39 percent.

“These leadership transitions mark an important step in strengthening the Asialink Group as we continue to position the organization for sustained growth and long-term success,” Jordan said.