How to Check if a Lending Company is SEC Registered in the Philippines (2025)

With hundreds of online lending apps available in the Philippines, how do you know which ones are legitimate? The answer is simple: check their SEC registration. Here is a step-by-step guide to verifying whether a lending company is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Why You Should Check SEC Registration

In the Philippines, all lending companies and financing companies are required by law to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under Republic Act No. 9474 (Lending Company Regulation Act of 2007). Operating a lending business without SEC registration is illegal.

SEC-registered lenders must:

• Disclose interest rates and fees transparently before you sign a loan agreement
• Follow SEC-mandated maximum interest rates and collection guidelines
• Comply with the Data Privacy Act (RA 10173) — they cannot access your contacts, photos, or messages
• Use fair and ethical collection practices — no threats, shaming, or harassment
• Provide a proper loan contract that you can review before accepting

Unregistered (illegal) lenders are not bound by these rules. Borrowing from them puts you at serious risk of excessive charges, privacy violations, and harassment.

Method 1: SEC Company Registration System (CRS)

The fastest way to verify any company's SEC registration is through the SEC's online portal.

1. Go to the SEC Company Registration System: crs.sec.gov.ph
2. Click on "Company Search" or the search bar on the homepage
3. Enter the company name (use the official/corporate name, not the app name — e.g., search "FUSE Lending Inc." for the Finbro app)
4. Click "Search"
5. Review the results — look for the company name, SEC registration number, and registration date
6. Click on the company to see more details, including business type (should show "Lending Company" or "Financing Company")

Tip: If the app name is different from the corporate name (which is common), try searching for the parent company. You can usually find this on the lender's website in the "About Us" or "Terms and Conditions" section.

Method 2: SEC List of Registered Lending Companies

The SEC publishes an official list of all registered lending and financing companies.

1. Visit the SEC website: sec.gov.ph
2. Navigate to the "Advisories" or "Company Registration" section
3. Look for the "List of Registered Lending Companies" or "List of Financing Companies with Certificate of Authority"
4. Download the list (usually in PDF or Excel format)
5. Search for the company name in the document using Ctrl+F (or Command+F on Mac)

This method is helpful when you want to browse all registered lenders at once, but the list may not always be the most up-to-date version.

Method 3: Check the SEC Advisory List

The SEC regularly publishes advisories warning the public about unregistered and unauthorized lending companies and investment schemes.

1. Visit sec.gov.ph
2. Go to the "Advisories" section
3. Look for advisories titled "List of Online Lending Applications/Platforms Operating Without the Necessary Registration/License from the SEC"
4. Search for the lending app or company name
5. If the company appears on this list, it is not registered and you should avoid it

What to Look For in the Results

When you search for a lending company in the SEC system, verify the following:

• Company name matches: The registered corporate name should match (or be clearly related to) the lending app
• Registration status: Should be "Active" — not revoked, suspended, or expired
• Type of business: Should include "Lending Company" or "Financing Company"
• Certificate of Authority (CA): A separate document issued by the SEC specifically allowing lending activities. Registration alone is not enough — the company must also have a CA
• SEC registration number: A unique identifier (e.g., CS20XXXX). The company should display this number on their website

Red Flags of Illegal Lenders

Watch out for these warning signs that a lending app may be operating illegally:

• Requests access to your contacts, gallery, or messages — legitimate lenders do not need this
• No SEC registration number displayed on their website or app
• Interest rates that seem too high — some illegal apps charge 30–50% for just 7 days
• Aggressive or threatening collection practices — calling your contacts, public shaming
• No physical office address — legitimate lending companies have registered office addresses
• Name does not appear in SEC database or appears on the SEC advisory/warning list
• Requests payment before releasing your loan — this is always a scam
• Only available as a third-party APK download — not on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store

What to Do if a Lender is Not Registered

If you discover that a lending app or company is not SEC-registered:

• Do not borrow from them. No matter how attractive the terms seem.
• Report them to the SEC. You can file a complaint through the SEC website or by calling the SEC hotline at (02) 8818-0921.
• Report to the National Privacy Commission (NPC) if the app requested unauthorized access to your personal data.
• If you already borrowed, document all communications, excessive charges, and harassment. File a complaint with the SEC and NPC.
• Uninstall the app and revoke all permissions it has on your phone.
• Warn others — leave reviews and share your experience to help protect fellow Filipinos.

SEC-Verified Lenders You Can Trust

All lending partners featured on Vamo PH are SEC-registered. Here are some verified options:

• Finbro — Up to ₱50K, 0.2%/day, 100% OFF first loan
• MoneyCat — Up to ₱20K, 11.9%/month, first loan free
• CashExpress — Up to ₱20K, 1.5–1.99%/day, 0% first loan
• HoneyLoan — Up to ₱30K, 0.5%/day, 0% for new customers