Loan restructuring applications peaked in April-May with the second wave of COVID-19, reaching about 20,000 applications per week, and are now down to about 2,000 per week.

The value of transactions using the QR (quick response) technology via the national QR code standard reached almost P1 billion as of end-May, as more Filipinos embrace digital channels amid the pandemic.

The loans approved under the COVID-19 Assistance to Restart Enterprises program is said to have benefited 29,816 enterprises in the Philippines.

Last week, the Microfinance Association of Cambodia and the National Bank of Cambodia discouraged the use of physical currency to help curb the spread of the pandemic.

The scheme is designed to support businesses including micro, small and medium enterprises, and large firms to enhance their access to formal loans.

Filipino households in the lower-income group, especially those in the rural areas of the country, are still struggling to save.

The global financial inclusion ranking of the Philippines slipped further this year despite improvements spurred by the government’s need to promote digital channels as part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since the beginning of 2020, Cambodia's BFIs have raised more than $500,000 in donations for health, sanitary and food supplies to support vulnerable communities.

More than 260,000 applicants received approval to restructure their loans from microfinance institutions as of October.