Mindanao posts biggest gain in TransUnion's 2026 credit perception index
A TransUnion survey finds Mindanao's credit perception score rose three points to 77, the highest among the country's three island groups, with more than half of respondents there planning to borrow.
Filipinos in Mindanao, including those in Davao City, showed the strongest improvement in how they view credit this year, according to the 2026 Credit Perception Index (CPI) released by credit reference agency TransUnion and reported by Mindanao Times.
Mindanao's score climbed three points to 77 out of 100, the highest among the three major island groups. Luzon, including the National Capital Region, rose one point to 74, while Visayas held steady at 75. The national score went up two points to 75, the highest since the index was introduced in 2023. This is the first year the study has broken down results by island group.
TransUnion said Mindanao's gain came from improvements in six of seven score factors. Product knowledge rose seven points, favorability six, stigmas five, product trust four, and credit messaging and reservations three each.
The survey also found that Mindanao respondents were the most inclined to borrow. Some 54 percent said they intended to use credit for purchases in the coming months, compared with 43 percent of the general population, 42 percent in Visayas and 40 percent in Luzon. A larger share in Mindanao described themselves as lower income, at 33 percent against 28 percent nationally.
Across all island groups, saving more was the most common planned financial move amid elevated prices, cited by 86 percent in Mindanao. In Mindanao, 77 percent planned to access more financial educational materials and 73 percent to explore new digital and FinTech services.
FinTech use was widespread, at 95 percent in Mindanao. Digital bank use in Mindanao reached 57 percent, five points above the national figure. Social media was the top source of financial information in every region, but Mindanao respondents were more likely than those elsewhere to turn to banks and financial institutions, at 53 percent.
"There is no one-size-fits-all approach to advancing financial inclusion," said Peter Faulhaber, President and CEO of TransUnion Philippines, adding that more detailed local insights can help shape education and engagement efforts.
The 2026 study surveyed 1,000 consumers from May 6 to 26, 2026.
Why it matters for Davao
The findings suggest consumers in Mindanao, including Davao City, are growing more comfortable with credit and digital finance, and are more likely than other Filipinos to borrow in the months ahead.
This article was written by the DavaoNews desk with AI assistance, using reporting by Mindanao Times. Facts come from the original report, which we credit and link below. Our editorial policy
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