CARD, Inc. was founded by Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip, together with fourteen of his colleagues, as a social development organization in December 1986. From a mere vision of setting-up a bank which is owned and managed by landless women, it has then evolved into an outstanding microfinance institution (MFI) that is presently leading the pack of microfinance institutions in the Philippines.
As many of Filipino families continue to live below the poverty line, CARD Inc. strives to reach more households through its microfinance services. Since taking off with its Grameen-style microlending in 1989, CARD has spent a considerable time in refining the methodology with the end in view of achieving the twin goals of outreach and sustainability.
A major event in CARD, Inc.’s history came in 1997 when CARD, Inc. obtained from the Central Bank of the Philippines the license to operate a rural bank, which is then named CARD Bank, Inc. Now, microfinance graduates, those clients who are considered to be capable of formal banking, are transferred to CARD Bank, Inc.
CARD Inc. has consistently maintained a near perfect repayment rate since 2001, which contributed to its financial viability as per global microfinance standards.