Using data‑driven systems to extend credit sustainably in markets with low formal loan access, the firm has reached a new milestone.
Despite widespread smartphone ownership and mobile‑broadband coverage, millions of working‑age adults in several fast‑growing Asian economies remain outside the formal banking system.
This gap has created fertile ground for alternative lending platforms that can assess creditworthiness through digital footprints rather than traditional banking histories.
One Singapore‑based fintech group that is focused on reaching out to this unbanked/underserved populace (via alternative consumer lending in emerging markets), is showing the viability of this business model. On 3 February 2026, UnaFinancial announced it had reached a new operational milestone, with a cumulative loan volume surpassing US$3bn and a customer base of around 21.6m registered customers by the end of 2025.
From the technical viewpoint, the fintech firm’s core challenge lay in assessing credit risk for borrowers that often lack traditional banking histories. In markets such as the Philippines, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, formal loan penetration remains low: World Bank data show only about 12% of adults in the Philippines and Uzbekistan accessed formal loans in 2024, while those in Kazakhstan recorded a higher but still modest 33%.
Without reliable credit‑bureau records, the fintech firm needed a digital‑first infrastructure that could evaluate alternative data signals at scale while complying with local regulations. To meet this need, the organization had undertaken a multi‑year digital‑transformation program centered on data‑driven lending workflows. Key technical elements included:
- Machine‑learning‑based risk‑scoring models that incorporate behavioral and transactional data from digital channels
- Cloud‑native microservices to support rapid deployment and scaling across multiple jurisdictions
- Real‑time decision‑ingestion pipelines that reduce approval latency while maintaining auditability
- Automated compliance and reporting modules tailored to local financial‑regulation regimes
The firm’s CEO, Sergey Sedov, said “Reaching US$3bn in loans issued reflects the growing demand for accessible credit in underserved markets. We remain focused on expanding financial inclusion, and our technology enables us to do this responsibly and at scale.”
Apart from using technology to serve its core strength, UnaFinancial has also focused on strong customer loyalty, disciplined risk management and a commitment to sustainable lending practices — guided by responsible technology usage.
