How to Apply for a Go Salary Loan in the Philippines (2025)

If you’re like most working Filipinos, you know how quickly an unexpected expense, like a medical emergency, urgent home repair, or overdue bill, can throw your budget off track. In fact, a recent Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) survey revealed that only 25% of Filipino adults are financially literate. Meanwhile, the demand for quick, accessible loans continues to rise, with alternative lending in the Philippines growing by over 25.5% in the past year alone.

But with dozens of banks, government agencies, and online lenders all promising “fast cash” or “easy approval,” how do you know which salary loan is truly right for you? Many employees are left confused by complicated requirements, hidden fees, and unclear repayment terms. Worse, choosing the wrong lender can lead to higher interest rates or even predatory lending practices.

In this blog, you’ll get a clear understanding of how the Go Salary Loan works, who it's best suited for, and how it stacks up against other top salary loan options in the Philippines, including those from SSS, BPI, Pag-IBIG, and Landbank

What is a Salary Loan?

A salary loan is a short-term, unsecured loan designed to help employed individuals cover urgent expenses before their next paycheck. In the Philippines, these loans are popular for addressing financial needs like medical emergencies, bill payments, or debt consolidation.

Benefits of Choosing a Salary Loan

You must be surprised to know that in 2023, the total amount of salary loans in the Philippines stood at PHP394 billion. This raises a key question: why are so many Filipinos choosing salary loans over other financing options?

Let’s explore the key benefits that make salary loans a practical and popular solution for employees across the country.

Quick Access to Funds: Salary loans offer fast approval and disbursement, with some lenders like n90 providing funds within hours via mobile apps.
No Collateral Required: Unlike secured loans, salary loans don’t require assets like property or vehicles, making them accessible to more people.
Flexible Repayment Terms: Lenders offer repayment plans tailored to your income, with options for weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly payments.

Now that you understand what a salary loan is, let’s explore how they work.

How Salary Loans Work

Salary loans are generally offered by banks, government agencies like the Social Security System (SSS), and online lenders.

Here’s how a salary loan works:

Loan Amount: The amount you can borrow depends on your income, contribution history (for government agencies), and employment status. For instance, SSS lets qualified members borrow up to two months’ worth of their average salary credits based on their contributions. Many banks may offer up to three times your monthly salary, often requiring employer accreditation.
Approval and Disbursement: Approval is typically quick. Some online lenders approve within minutes, while banks and government agencies may take a few days. Funds are disbursed directly to your bank account or through salary credit to your payroll ATM card.
Repayment: Repayment is usually made through automatic salary deduction or bank transfer. Depending on the lender, terms vary from a few months to three years. Interest rates also vary, with SSS offering a fixed 10% per annum, while private lenders may charge higher rates.

Now that you know how a salary loan works, let’s walk through the application process to get your loan approved quickly.

Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for a Salary Loan in the Philippines

Understanding the step-by-step process of applying for a salary loan is crucial for ensuring a smooth and successful experience. Here’s how to apply for a salary loan in the Philippines step by step:

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility: Review the lender’s requirements for age, income, employment type, and length of service. Some loans are available only to employees of accredited companies.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents: Gather essential documents such as a valid government-issued ID, recent payslips, Certificate of Employment (COE), and proof of billing or residence. Requirements vary slightly by lender.

Step 3: Submit Your Application: Apply online through the lender’s website, mobile app (e.g., Tala or Cashalo), or via your company’s HR if applying for a bank-backed salary loan like BPI. Some government options (e.g., SSS) also offer online portals.

Step 4: Await Approval and Disbursement: Approval times differ: some online lenders offer near-instant approvals, while banks and government agencies typically process applications within 3 to 5 banking days. Once approved, funds are credited to your bank account or payroll card.

Salary Loan Options in the Philippines

With the growing need for accessible financial solutions, Filipinos now have a wide range of salary loan options to choose from. To help you make an informed decision, here’s a comparison of popular salary loan options available in the Philippines:

1. BPI Salary Loan (Including Former Go Salary Loan by Robinsons Bank)

BPI offers a flexible, no-collateral salary loan for employees of accredited companies. This includes employees who were previously under Robinsons Bank’s Go Salary Loan program, which is now fully integrated with BPI following their 2024 merger.

If your company was previously accredited under Robinsons Bank, you can continue to access salary loan services through BPI, with the same general loan features, application flow, and employer coordination.

Eligibility:
- 21–60 years old
- Permanent or regular employee of a BPI-accredited company
- Must meet BPI’s minimum income and employment requirements
Loan Amount: Minimum and maximum amounts depend on your income and employer accreditation (up to three times your monthly income, with a maximum of PHP 1,000,000 is typical)
Interest Rate: Competitive and varies based on your profile and employer agreement (contact BPI for current rates)
Application: Online application or through your company’s HR, with required documents such as a government-issued ID, payslip, and Certificate of Employment
Disbursement: Funds are credited to your BPI payroll or nominated BPI deposit account, typically within a few banking days after approval
Repayment:
- Automatic debit arrangement (ADA) from your BPI payroll or deposit account on your monthly due date
- Ensure your account is funded before the due date to avoid a late payment penalty of 5% of the missed instalment. (It applies only to the missed installment, not the total loan.)

Note: If you previously had a Go Salary Loan, your repayment and account servicing will now happen through BPI. Contact your HR or BPI for updated disbursement details.

2. SSS Salary Loan

The SSS Salary Loan is a trusted option for millions of Filipinos. The Social Security System offers this privilege loan, which is ideal for members with a solid contribution history who need a low-interest loan for emergencies or big expenses.

Eligibility: 21–60 years old, permanent or regular employee of an accredited company
Loan Amount: The loan amount is based on your MSC: one-month loan = average of last 12 MSCs; two-month loan = twice the average MSC.
Interest Rate: 10% fixed per annum.
Application: Online application with required documents (government ID, payslip, Certificate of Employment)
Disbursement: Funds credited to your RBank payroll or nominated bank account, usually within three banking days
Repayment: Automatic salary deduction
Additional Details: Ideal for SSS members with a strong contribution history (SSS Salary Loan).

3. Pag-IBIG Multi-Purpose Loan

The Pag-IBIG Multi-Purpose Loan (MPL) is a flexible cash loan program that allows Pag-IBIG Fund members to borrow up to 80% (recently increased to 90%) of their total savings to cover various personal needs such as education, medical expenses, home repairs, or business capital.

Eligibility: At least 24 monthly Pag-IBIG contributions
Loan Amount: Up to 80% of your Total Accumulated Value (TAV)
Interest Rate: 1.4583% per month (approx. 17.5% annual effective rate)
Application: Through your employer or at a Pag-IBIG branch
Repayment: Payroll deduction. Flexible repayment terms ranging from one to three years
Additional Details: Suitable for members with consistent Pag-IBIG contributions (Pag-IBIG Loan).

Additional Reads: How Many Days to Process the Pag-IBIG Multi-Purpose Loan in The Philippines

4. Landbank Electronic Salary Loan

The Landbank Electronic Salary Loan (eSL) is a fully digital salary loan product designed for employees of government agencies and private institutions. With real-time notifications via SMS or email, the eSL facilitates the entire loan process, making it efficient and accessible anytime, anywhere for busy professionals.

Eligibility: Employees of accredited companies or government agencies
Interest Rate: 0.83% per month.
Loan Amount: Up to PHP 1 million.
Application: Coordinated through your employer or agency’s HR.
Repayment: Deducted from monthly salary via employer arrangement, not through manual mobile banking.
Additional Details: Known for its competitive interest rate and digital convenience

With so many salary loan options available in the Philippines, it’s important to remember that not every loan will fit every borrower’s needs. Each provider’s offers are different, which can make the decision process overwhelming.

Before applying, you’ll need to carefully consider several key factors to make the most informed choice and avoid costly mistakes.

How to Choose the Right Salary Loan

For SME owners, the right salary loan is about building trust with your team, supporting employee well-being, and ensuring seamless business operations.

With a wide range of loan products designed for both individuals and businesses, it’s crucial for SME owners and HR decision-makers to weigh their options carefully. Here’s how you can make the best choice for your company and your team:

1. Evaluate Lender Accreditation for SMEs

Not all banks or lenders work directly with SMEs. Prioritize salary loan providers that have dedicated SME programs or are open to accrediting smaller companies, like Robinson’s Bank’s Go Salary Loan or BPI Salary Loan. Accreditation ensures a smoother application process and tailored support for your business size.

2. Assess Integration with Your Payroll System

Choose a lender whose repayment method aligns with your existing payroll process. Salary deduction or auto-debit arrangements reduce administrative work and ensure timely payments, which is crucial for SMEs with lean HR teams.

3. Compare Employee Benefit Impact

Look beyond just interest rates. Consider how the loan’s terms (such as flexible repayment, re-loan options, or quick disbursement) affect your employees’ morale and productivity. A loan that’s easy for employees to access and repay reflects well on your company and boosts retention.

4. Check Employer Liability and Exit Scenarios

Understand your company’s obligations if an employee resigns or is terminated. Some lenders require the employer to deduct the outstanding balance from the employee’s last pay. Make sure these terms are clear and manageable for your business.

5. Review Application and Approval Speed

For SMEs, time is money. Opt for lenders with digital, streamlined applications and fast approval. This minimizes disruption to your workflow and gets your employees the help they need when needed.

6. Look for Value-Added Services

Some lenders offer more than just loans, such as financial wellness seminars, credit insurance, or dedicated SME relationship managers. These extras can support your business’s growth and demonstrate your commitment to employee financial health.

After comparing your options and understanding what to look for in a salary loan, the next step is choosing a provider you can trust.

Why Choose N90 for Your Financial Needs?

At n90, we understand the unique challenges that small and medium enterprises like yours face when it comes to financing. That’s why we’ve designed our products and services specifically to help you grow and succeed with ease and confidence.

Here’s why partnering with us is the best decision for your business:

Tailored Financial Solutions Just for You: Whether your business generates less than ₱15 million or over ₱150 million in annual revenue, we have loan options for you. SMEs with annual revenue below ₱15 million can access loans up to ₱1.5 million. For those earning between ₱15 million and ₱150 million, loans range from ₱1 million to ₱10 million. And for larger SMEs with revenue over ₱150 million, we offer loans up to ₱25 million.
Fast Approval and Fund Disbursement: Get approved in as little as 10 minutes, with most applications processed within the hour. Once approved, funds are credited directly to your bank account or preferred e-wallet, so you can address urgent needs immediately.
Complete Transparency, No Surprises: We believe in honesty. You only need to be a Philippine resident with a valid ID, have a business registered with the BIR and either DTI or SEC, and meet the minimum annual revenue requirement of ₱25 million for business financing. We provide clear, upfront disclosure of all fees—no hidden surprises.
Competitive Interest Rate: Our monthly interest rates range from 1.09% to 1.90%, among the lowest in the market, helping you keep borrowing costs manageable.
Flexible Repayment Terms: Choose repayment schedules that suit your cash flow, with options for weekly or monthly payments and loan tenures from 3 to 24 months.
Simple Application Process: Applying is easy and hassle-free. We only ask for essential documents, and our team walks you through the process, making it smooth even if it’s your first time.
Focused on Supporting SMEs Like Yours: We specialize in helping businesses that traditional banks often overlook. Our mission is to empower you with the financial tools you need to thrive.

Choose n90, and let us help you reach your business’s full potential with financing solutions that are fast, flexible, and designed with you in mind.

Learn more about the types of business loans and financing options available in the Philippines.

Wrapping Up!

Finding the right salary loan doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With a clear understanding of eligibility, loan features, and provider options, you can make confident decisions that support your personal or business needs. Whether you’re facing urgent expenses or planning ahead, choosing the right loan means balancing speed, reliability, and long-term affordability.

For small businesses, that balance can be harder to strike, which is why n90 offers more than just funding. From bridge loans to small business loans and invoice factoring, our financing solutions are designed to support your growth at every stage. We focus on fast approvals, transparent terms, and ongoing guidance, so you can manage cash flow, invest smartly, and scale without setbacks.

Looking for capital that works on your terms? Apply now with n90 and get the funding support you need, without the guesswork.

FAQs

1. What is the fastest way to get a salary loan?

The quickest way to secure a salary loan is through online lending platforms and mobile apps. Many digital lenders, such as n90 Asia, offer instant approvals, sometimes in as little as 10 minutes. Once approved, funds are typically credited directly to your bank account or e-wallet, making this option ideal for urgent financial needs.

2. Can I apply for a salary loan without a payslip?

Yes, some lenders accept alternative proof of income if you don’t have a payslip. For example, you may submit bank statements, remittance slips, or other documents that show regular income. However, requirements vary by lender, and traditional banks may still require a payslip or certificate of employment.

3. How much can I borrow with a salary loan?

Loan amounts depend on your income, employment status, and the lender’s policies. For most digital lenders in the Philippines, you can borrow from as little as PHP 10,000 up to PHP 2 million. For example, n90 Asia offers business loans ranging from ₱1.5 million for smaller SMEs up to ₱25 million for larger businesses, depending on annual revenue

4. What happens if I can’t pay my salary loan on time?

Missing a payment can result in penalties, increased interest, and a negative impact on your credit score. Many lenders charge a penalty fee for late payments, often 1% per month on the overdue amount. If you’re unable to pay on time, contact your lender immediately to discuss possible refinancing or restructuring options. For SSS loans, failure to pay for more than six months can result in loan default, making the full balance due and demandable.

5. Can self-employed individuals apply for a salary loan?

Yes, some lenders accept applications from self-employed individuals, provided you can show proof of income (such as bank statements, BIR registration, or business permits). However, eligibility criteria may be stricter compared to employed applicants, and loan amounts may vary depending on your declared income and business stability.