In 1972, ECLOF started as a desk created by the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) to provide loans to its member churches. In 1995, it became an independent entity and was registered at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as Ecumenical Church Foundation, Inc., to extend its loan services not only to churches. In 2001, ECLOF began to operate as a microfinance institution.

Through the years, ECLOF has continued to grow and expand its programs and services by establishing different Unit Offices in North Luzon, South Luzon, and Palawan. These Unit Offices offer agri-microfinance; entrep loans or Micro Negosyo at Serbisyo through group loan, individual loan, and job-generating loan; Small Medium Enterprise (SME) and Institutional Loans. They also provide microinsurance and savings programs to clients.

In 2017, the organization formally adopted the name ECLOF Philippines Microfinance, Inc. (EPMI) in accordance with the MF-NGO Law that requires all microfinance organizations to indicate in their name the term “microfinance.”

2019 marks the end of ECLOF’s 5-year strategic plan to reach 50,000 clients, in 3 regions. As of December 2019, ECLOF has a loan portfolio amounting to 342.9M Pesos, and an operational self-sufficiency rating of 109.54%.

In 2020, ECLOF launched its 5-year corporate strategy with a theme: “We are economic enabler aiming to optimize capacity for farmers and entrepreneurs aiming to enable them to be active and productive part of the economic value chain and earn significantly better margins.”

In 2022, ECLOF, in its third year of living through the pandemic’s harsh experience, responded to the community’s daily survival and continuous livelihood by putting a stop to COVID-19 and beginning to live normally without the threat of it. More than the operational outcome, understanding the new ways and norms that emerged after the pandemic enabled ECLOF Philippines to commit more resources to supporting the entire food security value chain.

For 2023, ECLOF embraced change as an opportunity for growth, innovation, and transformation. It necessitates a proactive mindset, an openness to new possibilities, and a willingness to accept uncertainty as part of the path to progress and success. With this, ECLOF will continue to commit more towards supporting the whole value chain for food security and continue to fulfill its mission.

In 2024, ECLOF continued to demonstrate resilience and growth amid a rapidly evolving environment, despite streamlined operations and a reduced workforce. Strategic efforts such as portfolio clean-up, organizational alignment, and the spin-off of the ECLOF Agri Center strengthened EPMI’s foundation for sustainable growth, alongside expanded partnerships and continued investment in client-focused services.

With the end of the 5-year strategy, we were able to achieve record-breaking milestones while navigating operational challenges and strengthening our foundation for future transformation. The organization recorded a loan portfolio of ₱521.9 million and a loan disbursement of ₱986.2 million, alongside a net income of ₱31.3 million, reflecting strong financial performance and sustainability. Despite challenges in portfolio quality and operational risks, EPMI demonstrated adaptability and accountability, remaining committed to delivering inclusive, client-focused services and creating meaningful, sustainable impact for the communities we serve.