The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), through its Notice dated 05 November 2026, announced the launch of the Financing and Lending Administration and Regulatory Ecosystem (SEC FLARE) Portal, accessible at https://flare.sec.gov.ph/.
Effective 05 November 2026, SEC FLARE serves as the centralized electronic registry and exclusive electronic filing facility for financing companies (FCs) and lending companies (LCs) to disclose and record new branches, operational locations, and Online Lending Platforms (OLPs). The portal also allows the public to verify recorded branches and OLPs through direct access links provided by the concerned companies.
Below are the salient points of the Notice:
1. Disclosure of New Branches and Operational Locations
FCs and LCs may disclose new branches and operational locations through SEC FLARE using their credentialed eSECURE accounts, subject to authorization through their official email addresses registered with the SEC under SEC MC No. 28.
The required information includes the branch’s operational functions, location classification, complete business address, contact details, commencement date, and operational status.
Successfully submitted branch disclosures are immediately recorded in the electronic Branch Registry, without the need for prior evaluation or approval by the SEC’s Financing and Lending Companies Department (FinLenD).
Companies with existing recorded branches must review their information in SEC FLARE and may request amendments or the inclusion of additional details through the prescribed transitional procedures.
2. Disclosure of New Online Lending Platforms (OLPs)
FCs and LCs are no longer required to amend their Articles of Incorporation solely to register a proposed OLP name as a trade or business name. Instead, proposed OLP names undergo electronic validation and reservation directly through SEC FLARE.
Applicants must provide the proposed OLP name, website or application links, launch dates, consumer dispute resolution procedures, brand logos, and information on Third-Party Service Providers (TPSPs).
The required documents include a Board Resolution or Secretary’s Certificate and website or app store screenshots in PDF, PNG, or JPG format, with a maximum file size of 25 MB per file.
Proposed OLP names are subject to electronic validation. Applicants whose proposed names fail validation may submit an alternative name or file a Name Appeal Letter.
Unlike branch disclosures, new OLP disclosures remain subject to SEC evaluation. An OLP is considered duly recorded only upon issuance of a Letter of Confirmation of Recording. The 60-month lock-in periodcommences on the date of such confirmation.
3. Mandatory Review of Existing OLPs
FCs and LCs operating OLPs recorded before the 2021 moratorium under SEC MC No. 10, Series of 2021, which were not disclosed through the SEC iMessage Portal, must review their recorded OLP information in SEC FLARE.
These companies may request the inclusion or amendment of existing OLP details, such as downloadable links, logos, and access portals, on or before 01 February 2027, following the prescribed transitional procedures.
For these OLPs, the 60-month lock-in period begins upon receipt of the email confirmation approving the disclosed OLPs.
Failure to comply will bar future disclosure of the concerned OLP or OLP name and subject the company to administrative penalties under SEC MC No. 20.
OLPs already duly confirmed before 05 November 2026, and complete applications submitted through the SEC iMessage Portal before its suspension that remain pending, are not required to be filed again.
4. Transitional Arrangements and Continued Use of the SEC iMessage Portal
SEC FLARE shall be used for the disclosure and recording of new branches and new OLPs. Updates, modifications, and closures involving previously disclosed branches or OLPs shall continue to be processed through the SEC iMessage Portal.
These include:
- Changes to previously disclosed OLP information, including logos, brand identifiers, and digital access points;
- Branch closures through a notarized Notice of Closure (Annex Notif BR-01);
- Branch address transfers and other data modifications through a notarized Modification of Branch Data (Annex Notif BR-02); and
- Technical support inquiries concerning SEC FLARE.
Accordingly, FCs and LCs should review their existing branch and OLP records, ensure compliance with the applicable disclosure requirements, and observe the 01 February 2027 deadline, where applicable.
This guide provides a general overview of the above discussion at the time of writing and is not intended to constitute comprehensive legal advice or an opinion on the topic. For more details and information, you may coordinate with any GEL Law Partner regarding the matter.
Atty. Ludanielle N. Legarde is a Partner at GEL Law.