Billease, one of the Philippines’ leading consumer finance and buy now, pay later (BNPL) platforms, posted strong financial results for 2025, reporting more than 80% revenue growth while maintaining profitability as it prepares to enter the digital banking sector.
Based on its audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended Dec. 31, 2025, the company recorded revenue of US$151.2 million, up more than 80% from the previous year. Net profit reached US$13.6 million, extending Billease’s multi-year streak of profitability in an industry where many digital banks and fintech lenders continue to operate at a loss.
The company’s gross loan portfolio also expanded by more than 77% to US$212.1 million, while total assets climbed to US$233.5 million. Billease said it now adds over 100,000 new customers every month and achieved a return on assets (ROA) of approximately 6.8%.
Growth fueled by customer demand
Billease Co-Founder and CEO Georg Steiger attributed the company’s performance to sustained customer acquisition and increasing repeat usage among existing users.
“The growth was driven by both ends of our customer funnel: strong new-customer acquisition paired with deepening repeat usage,” Steiger said.
“It tells us there is significant underlying demand for affordable, well-structured credit in this country, and that the platform scales without compromising our standards. We don’t view 2025 as a peak—we view it as evidence that the model works,” he added.
Expansion funded by operating profits
The company said it continued investing aggressively in expanding its nationwide sales network, marketing efforts, and merchant partnerships throughout 2025.
Unlike many fintech firms that rely heavily on external funding, Billease said these investments were financed using its own operating profits.
“We are investing from a position of profitability, not chasing it,” Steiger said. “That is what lets us grow quickly and responsibly at the same time.”
Credit quality remains stable
Despite the rapid expansion of its loan portfolio, Billease maintained that its credit performance remained consistent.
The company credited its underwriting models—developed over eight years and refined through millions of lending decisions—for enabling responsible lending while keeping risk within historical levels.
“We grew the book more than 77% without loosening our standards,” Steiger said. “Growth that comes at the expense of credit discipline isn’t growth—it’s a deferred loss.”
Strong capital position
Billease also highlighted its solid capital base following its 2024 Series C funding round led by TPG’s The Rise Fund, with participation from existing investor Burda Principal Investments.
As of Dec. 31, 2025, the company reported US$109.4 million in total equity, consisting of US$82.9 million in paid-in capital and US$26.6 million in retained earnings, resulting in an equity-to-assets ratio of approximately 47%.
Retained earnings nearly doubled during the year from US$12.8 million to US$26.6 million, providing additional capacity to support future loan growth.
Preparing for digital banking
Billease is now moving toward its next major milestone following its acquisition of Rural Bank of Sta. Maria in 2025.
The company plans to launch digital banking services that will complement its existing lending platform by offering savings and deposit products while improving its funding structure and lowering its cost of capital.
According to Billease, its 6.8% return on assets significantly exceeds the typical 1% to 2% ROA generated by banks across Southeast Asia.
“Bringing the bank live is the single biggest strategic priority in front of us,” Steiger said.
“Once that’s done, the runway opens up considerably—a fuller product set for customers, and a materially better cost of funding.”
With continued profitability, strong capital reserves, and an expanding customer base, Billease aims to strengthen its position in the Philippine financial services sector as it transitions from a fintech lender into a full-fledged digital banking provider.
